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.

Baker, Samuel S.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Samuel S. Baker

Died March 7, 1900

 Niles Republican, Thursday, March 8, 1900, page 5 col 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 DEATH OF SAMUEL BAKER

            Samuel S. Baker, for many years a resident of this place, died yesterday afternoon at four o'clock, the cause of his death being consumption.

            Mr. Baker was born 51 years ago in Pennsylvania and when 12 years of age came to Michigan with his parents and has resided in this city ever since that time.  He leaves a wife and a little child, to mourn his death, also a father, Joseph Baker, who resides in Florida, and two sisters, Mrs. Will Runkle, of Edwardsburg, and Mrs. Will Hubbard, of Kalkaska, Mich.  Mr. Baker was well known and highly respected citizen.  He was a member of the W.O.W., in good standing and carried an insurance of  $2000 in that order.

            The funeral will take place Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, from the Presbyterian church.  Rev. J. G. Lowrie officiating.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

 And

 Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 8, 1900, page 3, col. 5,, microfilm Niles District Library

 DEATH OF SAMUEL S. BAKER

His Father the First Man to Ever Run a Steam Engine in Niles

            Samuel Baker passed away at his home in this city yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock, at the age of 51 years.  He was born at Meadville, Pa., Nov. 12, 1845. His illness dates back for over a year, from consumption of the kidneys.

            He came here with his parents when 12 years of age and worked with his father, who was the first man to run a steam engine in Niles.  Mr. Baker had one of the finest threshing machine outfits brought to this part of the country, and for several years he followed the business of threshing wheat for farmers. For nine years he was head sawyer for C.R. Smith.

            Deceased leaves a wife and one son.  He was a member of Union Camp, No. 1, Woodmen of the World, and had an insurance policy of $2000.

            The funeral will occur from the Presbyterian church on Saturday at 2 o’clock, in charge of the W.O.W.. and interment will take place at Silver Brook cemetery.  Rev. J.G. Lowrie will officiate.

 

Messner, Diana M.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Diane M. Messner
August 10, 1962-August 11, 1962

    Committal rites were conducted at 1 p.m. today for Diane Marie Messner, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Messner, 1308 Breezy Beach, at Silverbrook Cemetery, with the Rev. Theodore Laesch, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, officiating.
    She was born Friday at Pawating Hospital, where she died Saturday at 4:10 a.m.
    Besides her parents, survivors include two sisters, Karen and Roberta, and a brother, William, all at home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 13, 1962, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Benjamin, Jessie M.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
MRS. JESSIE M. BENJAMIN
1877-1962

    Mrs. Jessie Mae Benjamin, of 116 S. 15th St., died at 11 a.m. Sunday in her home.  She had been ill for six months.
    Born March 31, 1877, she had lived in this vicinity since early childhood.  She was married to Justin M. Benjamin, who died in 1933.
    She is survived by five sons, Clarence and Allen of Niles, Earl of South Bend, Charles of Cassopolis, and Robert of Rockford, Ill.; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph A. Dee of Three Oaks and Mrs Deborah E. Lintner, of Niles.  One sister Mrs. Phoebe Cloutier of Elkhart, Ind., also survives.  A son and daughter preceded her in death.  She is survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
    Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home after 4 p.m. Monday.
    Services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.  Father LaCrone of the Trinity Episcopal Church will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, Aug. 13, 1962, page 2, microfilm Niles Daily Star)

Wheeler, Ira O.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Ira. O. Wheeler
Died Sat. Sept.  15, 1877

    Ira O. Wheeler, a young man quite well-known and universally esteemed in the City, died on Saturday last, at the residence of his mother-in-law, Mrs. McClellan, in his 24th year, after a brief illness.  He leaves a wife and a bright young child to mourn his loss.

(Source: The (Niles) Republican, Thursday, Sept. 20, 1877, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Stowell, Maye B.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Maye B. Stowell
Died April 8, 1970

    South Bend--Maye B. Stowell, 707 Lindsey St., a former Niles resident, died at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Dor-A-Lin Nursing Home, Niles, after an extended illness.
    A retired chief clerk with Indiana Bell Telephone Co., Miss Stowell was born in Niles and had lived here since 1910, coming from Niles.
    She was a member of the Westminister[sic] Presbyterian Church of South Bend and the Telephone Pioneers of America.
    Surviving is a nephew, Donald C. Stowell of Jacksonville, Fla.
    Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, with the Rev. C. Franklin Bruce of the  Ridgedale Presbyterian Church of South Bend officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Friends may call from 7-9 tonight and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.  Friday at the funeral home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thurs., April 9, 1970, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Dudley, George

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

George Dudley
Drowned August 3, 1882

Fatal Bathing—Son of Rev. J.H. Dudley Becomes a Victim of the Merciless Waters.

A terrible sad accident happened in this city on Thursday afternoon, it was the drowning of a twelve year old son of Rev. J.H. Dudley of this city, in the mill race just above the head gates on the west side. Mr. Dudley and his son had been fishing and the little boy asked his father to let him go in bathing, the father thinking there was no danger as the water was calm and not so very deep, but it appears there is an abrupt decent[sic] in the bottom of the stream, and a strong under current, which carried the boy under very suddenly. The father on the bank, who could not swim, called loudly for help, which soon came from the mills near by and the body was speedily recovered, and medical aid called in, but all efforts failed to restore life.

(Source: Niles Democrat, Sat. Aug. 5 1882, page 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Riddle, Flora Bell

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Mrs. Flora Bell Riddle

1888-1970

Niles--Mrs. Flora Bell Riddle, 82, of 635 S. St. Jospeh Ave. died at 1:20 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, after a brief illness.
    Born May 13, 1888, in Nilles, she had lived here a lifetime.  On Oct. 12, 1910, in St. Joseph, she married John H. Riddle, who died Sept. 2, 1969.
    Survivors include two sons, Loren and Marcius (Babe), both of Niles; three daughters, Mrs. Lucia Boyle and Flora Riddle, both of Niles, and Mrs. Virginia Repine of Mishawaka, Ind.; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert C. Carson of the First United Methodist Church of Buchanan officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1970, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

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