Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Garwood, John

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

John Garwood
April 29, 1842-June 9, 1927

Niles Daily Star, Thurs, June 9, 1927, page 3 col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

JOHN GARWOOD, 85, CLAIMED BY DEATH

FARMER, WHO HAD LIVED NEAR BRANDYWINE FOR 40 YEARS, DIES


    John Garwood, 85, died this morning at 1 o'clock at the farm home two miles south of Niles near Brandywine creek where he had resided for 40 years.  His death followed a brief illness.
    Mr. Garwood was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, near North Liberty.  He grew to manhood there and was married there.  Three years after his marriage he moved his family to Clyde, Kans., and they remained there about 14 years, and then came to Niles and had since resided on the farm where his death occurred.
    Mrs. Garwood died 10 years ago. Mr. Garwood is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Joseph Webber, who continued to make her home with him after her marriage. Besides his daughter, he is survived by a brother, Stacy Garwood, who lives on the farm next east from that on which Mr. Garwood lived, and three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
    The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church in Niles.  Rev. O.R. Grattan will officiate.  Burial will take place in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.
    Mr. Garwood was active in the affairs of the Methodist church in this city and a faithful attendant as long as his health permitted.  He was widely known and respected throughout the community.

also

John Garwood was born April 29, 1842, in Green Township, St. Joe County, Indiana. He was married to Lucinda Rupe in 1867. To this union two children were born, Letta Viola, who died when one year old and Nora who survives.  In 1871 he moved to Kansas, and there remained until 1884 when he moved to Niles, Michigan. He died on the farm where he had resided for 41 years, June 9, 1927.  Mr. Garwood joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when a young man and acted as steward until old age caused him to resign. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. Joe Webber, with whom he made his home; three grandchildren, Mrs. Jessie Trowbridge of Niles. Mrs. Marie Long of South Bend and Arthur Webber who lives with is parents. two great-grandchildren are Joe Trowbridge and Jerold Long, both of Niles. The funeral services were held at the M.E. Church Saturday afternoon. The body was laid to rest in the Silverbrook Cemetery beside his wife who had been dead 11 years.

(Source: Unknown)

Webber, Guy S.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Guy S. Webber
December 14, 1883-March 2, 1965

    Guy S. Webber, 81, of 2299 Lake St., died at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday in Buchanan Community Hospital, where he had been a patient since Feb. 9.
    Mr. Webber, a former truck driver for Lork's Bakery, was born here Dec. 14, 1883, and was a lifetime resident of the community.
    Survivors include a son, Jacob G., and a daughter, Mrs. Irving Stotts, both of Grand Rapids; three brothers, Joseph and William, both of Niles, and Clarence, Kalamazoo; and two grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home, Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends will be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Thursday.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 3, 1965, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Ossmer, Daniel D.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Daniel D. Ossmer
March 5, 1921-October 25, 1950

DANIEL D. OSSMER, 29

    Daniel D. Ossmer, 29 of 223 South Third street, died at 11:45 p.m. yesterday at Pawating hospital where he had been confined since July 30. He suffered a fractured pelvis and friction burns of the back and shoulder when he was struck by a moving boxcar at the New York Central railroad terminal on that date.
    Ossmer was born at Somerset Center, Mich., on March 5, 1921, and is the son of Mrs. Ethel Ossmer, of Niles.  He lived in Niles since 1938 and was employed as a switchman on the NYC railroad.
    Surviving besides his mother is his wife, Marion Isabel; two sons at home, James and Jack; two brothers, David Ossmer, of Finley, O.; and William Ossmer, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; four sisters, Mrs. James B. Johnson, of Gleason, Tenn.; Mrs. Robert Anton, Mrs. William Taylor, and Margaret Ossmer, all of Niles.
    Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday with Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 26, 1950, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Webber, Flora

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Flora Webber
Sept. 28, 1881-April 5, 1942

Flora Webber, 60, Route 1, Stricken; Rites Wednesday

    Mrs. Flora Webber, 60, of Route 1, who lived in this community all her life, died at 11:30 Sunday night in Pawating hospital. She was born Sept. 28, 1881, in Milton township, Cass county, and was married March 26, 1898, in Niles to William Webber.
    Friends may call at Price and Kiger chapel, where services will be held at 2 Wednesday, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Mrs. Webber leaves her husband, William; two daughters, Mrs. Marion Kinerk, Washington, D.C.; and Mrs. Mabel Beehler, Route 2; and four grandchildren.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 6, 1942, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Ream, Earnest August

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Earnest A. Ream
September 5, 1874-September 3, 1943

EARNEST A. REAM STRICKEN TODAY

    Ernest August Ream, 68, of 27 Parkway, died Friday afternoon at 4:15 in Pawating hospital after an illness of five days.  Born in Niles Sept. 5, 1874, he had lived here all his life.
    Surviving Mr. Ream, who was a gardener, is his wife, the former Edna Coverly to whom he was married Oct. 29, 1900, in South Bend.
    He also leaves a brother, Carl Ream, Niles and a sister, Mrs. Bernard Stein, Adrian.
    Friends may call in the Price and Kiger chapel where the Rev. Floyd W. Johnston, pastor of the First Baptist church, will officiate at rites at 2 Monday afternoon.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 4, 1943, Sec. 1, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, Flora B.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Flora B. Marrs
October 10, 1870-September 3, 1943

FLORA MARRS, 72, TAKEN BY DEATH

    Miss Flora B. Marrs, 72, a life-long resident of the Niles community, died Friday afternoon at 4 in South Bend where she went two months ago from her home north of Niles for treatment.
    She was born in Niles Oct. 10, 1870.  Her only survivors are 10 nieces and nephews.
    They include: Earl Meredith, South Bend; Stuart Marrs, Louisville, Ky.; Elmer Meredith, Denver, Colo.; Mrs Ethel Hammer, Miss Geraldine Marrs and Mrs. Meryle Pennington, all of Plainview, Texas; Mrs. Mabel Green, Hobert, Okla.; Mrs. Nellie Arwood, Bristo, Okla.; Mrs. Hattie Unglesby, Stroud, Okla., and Mrs. Georgia Hugo, Drumright, Okla.,
    Friends may call at the Price and Kiger chapel where services will be conducted Monday afternoon [illegible] by the Rev. [illegible] Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 4, 1943, Sec. 1, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, George

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
George Marrs
17 February 1878--March 27, 1879

    George, aged 13 months and 10 days, son of Jas. J. Mars, died of croup on Thursday morning last.

(Source: Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, April 2, 1879, page 5 col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

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