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.

Gage, Arza G.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Arza G. Gage
April 21, 1847-April 10, 1929

DEATH CLOSES ACTIVE LIFE OF A.G. GAGE, FOR YEARS A MERCHANT HERE

    Arza G. Gage, 82, a pioneer resident and merchant of Niles, died this morning at 2 o'clock at his home at 116 S. Fourth street.  While the immediate cause of death was heart disease Mr. Gage had suffered for several months from a complication of diseases and had for some time been under the constant care of nurses.  However, until stricken with the illness which resulted in his death Mr. Gage had been remarkably vigorous and had had taken a deep interest in community affairs and still attended meetings of several of the organizations of which he was a member.
    Mr. Gage was a cousin of the late Lyman Gage, former secretaty of the U.S. treasury.  He was born on April 21, 1847, in Wayne township, Cass county, a son of Ebenezer and Minerva Gage.
    Mr. Gage took a commercial course in the Detroit Business college in his early 20's.  He then came to Niles and worked in a basket factory.  In 1870 he purchased a grocery business in partnership with a Mr. Spaulding who later sold his interest to Eli Gage, a brother, and under the firm name of Gage Bros., the business was carried on until the death of Eli Gage, in 1903.  Gurman Hoppe followed as a partner with the surviving members of the firm until Mr. Gage sold his interest in 1909 after being in the grocery business for 39 years continuously.
    Mr. Gage was married on Oct. 30, 1877 to Henrietta M. Wood, who died on July 27, 1927.  The one child born to them, Mrs. Edith Gage Van Riper, wife of Dr. Paul Van Riper, of Champion, survives her father, also three (Continued from Page One) grandchildren, Charles and Joesph, at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Dorothy Van Riper of Champion.  A halfsister, Mrs. Eugene McKenzie, of Dowagiac, also survives.
    Mr. Gage was active in Masonic circles.  He was a member of St. Joseph Valley lodge, No. 4, F. and A. M., St. Joseph Valley chapter, No. 2; R. and A.M., Niles Commandery, No. 12 Knights Templar and Niles Council, No. 10, R. and S.M.  In these organizations he has held several positions of honor and trust continuously for many years.  For over 50 years he had been a member and faithful in attendance, of the Presbyterian church.  His business, fraternal and social relations had resulted in contacts with practically unlimited numbers of people, and he enjoyed their respect and esteem and had also made many warm personal friends by whom his death is mourned.
    Mr. Gage had been for many years a member of the cemetery board of the city and at the time of his death was president of the board.
    The funeral services will be held at 2:30 on Friday afternoon at the home.  The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.  The committal services will be under Masonic auspices.
    Mrs. Van Riper arrived in Niles on Saturday  From Champion and her Husband, Dr. Paul Van Riper will arrive tomorrow.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 10, 1929, page 1, col. 4, continued on page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Eckler, Charles H.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Charles H. Eckler
October 10, 1873-December 21, 1943

CHARLES ECKLER DIES; RITES FRIDAY

    Charles H. Eckler, 70, painter and decorator who lived at 1004 Birch street, died at 1 Tuesday afternoon in the Berrien county hospital, Berrien Center, after an illness of three days.
    He was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, Oct. 10, 1873, and came to Niles 50 years ago.  He married Etta M. Holmes, who died in 1928. In June, 1939, he was married to Mrs. Norah Curtis, who survives.
    Survivors besides his wife include two sons--George of Niles, and Fred, Barron lake; five stepchildren, Frederick Curtis, Mrs. Elizabeth Edinger and Mrs. Lila Makepeace, Niles; Mrs. Florence Coleman, Buchanan, and Mrs. Ilah Christine, Allegan; a brother, Allen, of Niles, and three grandchildren.
    The body is in Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 [illegible]. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 22, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fowler, Alice M. (Collins)

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Alice M. Fowler
Died March 11, 1916

DEATH AT MISHAWAKA OF MRS. ALICE FOWLER
Was a Former Resident of Niles--Burial will Occur Here.

    Mrs. Alice Fowler, a former well known and highly esteemed resident, died this morning at the home of her brother, Albert Collins in Mishawaka.  She has been in ill health for some time with heart disease and her death is attributed to that cause.  Mrs.Fowler was about 65 years of age.  She was born on what is now the A.D. Young farm west of Niles and until five years ago she had always resided in Niles.  Her maiden name was Alice Collins.
    Her husband, Fred Fowler, died several years ago. Her only son was drowned a number of years ago in the river above the dam here and her only daughter, Mrs. Shockley, has been dead for several years.  The immediate surviving relatives are two brothers and a sister, Albert Collins of Mishawaka, Rev. Stanley Collins of Port Austin, Mich., and a sister, Mrs. Edwin Fowler, of Neosha, Mo., The latter was formerly Miss Emma Fowler.  There are also other relatives in this city.
    The body will be brought to Niles on Monday. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon from the First Baptist chruch. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Sat., March 11, 1916, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

ALICE M. FOWLER PASSES AWAY AT MISHAWAKA TODAY

    Alice M. Fowler, for years a resident of Niles, passed away this morning about 9 o'clock, at the home of her brother, Albert Collins, in Mishawaka.  Last Thursday night she suffered a stroke of apoplexy, from the effects of which death came this morning.  Mrs. Fowler was 63 years of age and will be remembered here, having passed some time in the city last summer. Since the death of her husband and children, however, she had not made her permanent home here, although her visits were frequent.
    She is survived by two brothers, Albert Collins of Mishawaka, Stanley Collins of Port Austin, Mich., and one sister, residing in Missouri.
    Funeral services will be held from the First Baptist church in this city at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon with Rev. A.W. Lyons officiating. Interments will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source Niles Daily Star, March 11, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fowler, Archibald P.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Archibald P. Fowler
December 22, 1847-May 3, 1943

A.P. FOWLER DIES; RITES WEDNESDAY

    Funeral services for Archibald P. Fowler, 95, formerly of 717 Grant street, will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger funeral home.  The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate with burial in  Silverbrook cemetery.
    Mr. Fowler died Monday in the home of his daughter, Miss Mabel Fowler, Glenwood, Ill., with whom he had lived the last two years.
    Surviving with the daughter are a son, Archie Fowler, Niles, four grand children and three great grandchildren.
    Mr. Fowler was born Dec. 22, 1847, in Delaware and was the last of a family of eight children.  In 1855, he accompanied his parents, the late George and Elizabeth Fowler to Michigan and settled near Adamsville.
    For a time he was actively engaged in farming, first at Edwardsburg and then north of Niles and later worked in a Buchanan Furniture [illegible].
    After his retirement he lived in Niles with his son until two years ago, when he moved to Glenwood.  Friends may call in the Prince and Kiger funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 4, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fowler, Archie A.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Archie A. Fowler
July 25, 1889-July 15, 1943
ARCHIE FOWLER, 59, DIES TODAY

    Archie A. Fowler, 59, of 1316 Hickory street, a resident of Niles 45 years, died this morning at 1 after a week's illness.
    Born in Buchanan July 25, 1889, [illegible]during his childhood.
    Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Lynn Butler, Niles' three sons, Earl and Phillip Fowler, both of h Niles, and Leroy Fowler, serving with the marines in San Diego, Calif., and a sister, Miss Mabel Fowler, Glenwood, Ill.
    Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral Home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 15, 1943, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library)

Skalla, Frank

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Frank Skalla

May 12, 1861-July 14, 1943

FRANK SKALLA, 82, EX-MANUFACTURER TAKEN BY DEATH


    Niles lost one of its Old Timers in death when Frank W. Skalla, 82, native resident and former Niles manufacturer, succumbed at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon in his home 309 South St. Jospeh avenue.
    Born in Niles May 12, 1861, he had lived here virtually all his life and was the last of a family of five sons and two daughters of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Skalla, Sr.
    Mr. Skalla was one of th few remaining Nilesites christened in the old St. Francis mission, a frame structure built on the site now occupied by St. Mary's church.
    Until 1913, when the plant burned to the ground, Mr. Skalla assisted by three of his brothers in operation of the Skalla Furniture company and the store established by his father.  He served on the Niles police force during 1926 and 1927.
    Surviving is his wife, the former Anna Brand, with whom he celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in May. They were married in Peoria, Ill., May 21, 1890.
    He also leaves two children, Mrs. Helene Donaldson, and William C. Skalla, both of Niles.
    The body will be taken tonight from the Price and Kiger funeral home to the residence where friends may call.  Requiem high mass will be conducted Saturday morning at 9 in St. Mary's church by the Rev. Joseph Rochford.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Members of the Holy Name Society of which he was a member will meet in the residence Friday night at 8.  He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 15, 1943, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Smith, Edward H.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Edward H. Smith
Dec. 31, 1871- July 15, 1943

EDWARD SMITH, 71, EX-ALDERMAN, DIES

    Edward H. Smith, a former Niles alderman, died in his home, 316 West Main street, Thursday morning after an illness of six years.
    Smith was elected to the Niles city council from the First ward in April, 1931, and served under former Mayor William H. Corbett for one term.
    A carpenter and contractor, he was born in Germany, Dec. 31, 1871, and came to Niles from Kenosha, Wis., in 1917.  He was married to Mattie Mielke in Merrill, Wis., who now lives in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 16, 1893.
    In 1928 he was married to Kathryn Grumer who, with six children from the first marriage, survive. They are Mrs. Eli Zechlin and Carl and John Smith, Niles; Mrs. Ann Cripps, Kenosha, Mrs. Ernest Bucher, of Lawrence,a nd Henry Smith, Cincinnati.
    He is also survived by two brothers, Julius, Kenosha, and Charles, Los Angeles, and six sisters, Mrs. Ernst Rothbarth, Mrs. Gust Rohnow, Mrs. Amanda Kanehl, Mrs. Charles Schlater, Mrs. Fred Weiss and Mrs. Adolph Wiess, all of Kenosha.
    A step-daughter, Mrs. George Mochour, also is a survivor, with nine grandchildren and six greatgranddchildren.
    Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be conducted at 4 Saturday afternoon by the Rev. Theo Eisen, pastor of the St. John's Evangelical and Reformed church.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 16, 1943, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

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