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.

Glenn, Maimie Adell

Maimie Adell Glenn

DIED

    In Chicago, on Tuesday evening last of Diptheria, MAIMIE ADELL, daughter of Thomas H. and Mary C. Glenn, formerly of this place, in the ___ year of her age.  
    She was buried in the family burying ground in Silver Brook Cemetery, in this place, on Friday last. (Source:
Niles Democrat, Sat. December 20, 1873, page 3, col. 3, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Glenn, Mary C.

Mary Cordelia Glenn

1836-1878

Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 21, 1878, page 3, col. 4, Microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Cordelia Glenn, wife of Thomas H. Glenn
September 22, 1836 to December 10, 1878

Obit.

GLENN--DIED at Chicago, December 10, 1878, of consumption, Mrs. Cordelia Glenn, wife of Thos. H. Glenn, and was burried[sic] in Silver Brook Cemetery in this city, on the 31st, inst.
    The deceased was born September 22, 1836, in Bourbon county, Kentucky, near Lexington, and, when but a young girl, with her parents, brothers and sisters, moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where the greater part of her life was spent.  In 1856, November 27th, she took the hand of Thos. H. Glenn, in the holy bonds of wedlock, in which relationship, the twain have lived for more than 22 years, blessed in full measure in such companionship, whose union, this sad visitation doth scarcely sunder, as still in thought if not in body, she dwels[sic] with those to whom she was so dear, so loving  so true.  After five years residence in the city where she had grown up, with that firm pure devotion of a wife, she bade farewell to the scenes of her former home, the familiar faces of fond friends and dear relatives, and the associations of her happy Southern residence, to make her home among the kindred of her husband, in Michigan, and in May, 1861, took up her abode with husband and two children in Niles, where, although among people of widely different manner, sentiment, and custom, from those of her native clime, she found warm and true hearts beating in sympathy for her, and she soon formed attachments that only this sad berievement[sic] could sever, and yet not broken, as memory, like strong cord binds us to the past, recalling her noble beloved nature, her purity of character, her sincerity of love, ever prompting the perfornance[sic] of the many offices which her loving hands fulfilled.
    Early in the spring of 1864, the hand of affliction was laid upon her heart, as she was called to bury her lovely boy, nearly seven years old.  This event cast its dark shadow over her pathway, as only death can.  In 1868, the family removed to Chicago, where their residence has since been.  In 1871, Oct. 7th, with thousands of others, they surrendered to the devouring flames their all of perishable effects save what they wore, and that fearful holocaust left the family but little to cheer and comfort them.  Yet despondency was a stranger to her, and the fearful ordeal through which they passed had much to do with the sad end which we herein chronicle.  In 1873, again the shaft of death was poised, and at a "shining mark," which took from the mother's fond embrace a beautiful daughter twelve years of age, a dispensation of Providence that seemed to leave the home cheerless and the mother nearly broken hearted, yet she strove to be submissive, and to bow to the will  of Him who afflicts but for our good, not in judegment[sic] but in mercy.  In the sickness which terminated her lease of life, she suffered long and terrible, yet through it all she complained not, as in her life, schooled by adversity, she had learned to repine not at what she could avoid.  We bade farewell to the loved one as she laid in her repose with the blessed assurance, if our life should end as hers, the promises of a blessed and happy reunion would be fulfilled to our award and we should meet our sister "where no farewell tears are shed"  She had gone before--a  devoted wife and mother, daughter and sister, beautiful in heart and mind, self sacrificing and generous to a fault, strong in adversity unwavering in her friendship, when worthily bestowed, a patient sufferer and a true Christian woman.  A very large circle of relatives and friends deeply mourn her loss.


and

Niles Republican, Thursday, Dec. 12, 1878, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

    In Chicago, Tuesday morning, Dec. 10th, of consumption, aged about 42 years, MARY C., wife of Thomas H. Glenn, formerly of this city, with whom the deceased had lived for nearly twenty-five years in the fullest enjoyment of a happy married life, save some sorrow or adversity, of which the twain have had their full share.  Though born and raised in the sunny South, she made her home or residence among the family of her husband--one of the warmest, most welcome, and by her loving nature and womanly character, won for herself the esteem and sincere love of those with whom she become[sic] most intimate, and leaves a large circle of friends to mourn her death.  In this bereavement the husband and children are terribly afflicted and part with the love and councils of a true wife and mother.
    The funeral will take place from the Methodist Church of this city on to-morrow (Friday) afternoon, at an early hour, on arrival of the remains from Chicaco[sic]--signalled by call of bell.

Haynes, Avery Glenn

AVERY GLENN HAYNES
1924-1970

    Avery Glenn Haynes, 45, 52345 UW-31 North, South Bend, died at 4:20 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Hospital South Bend, where he had been a patient since Jan. 6.
    He was born May 7, 1924 in Elkin, N.C., and came here in 1945.  He moved to South Bend three years ago and operated the Kyle Aluminum Siding and Roofing Company there.
    A veteran of World War II, he is survived by two sons, Randolph C. of Niles and Kyle W. of Edwardsburg; three daughters, Mrs. Maureen Syson, Elkhart, Beth E., Niles, and Jacquelyn, Edwardsburg.  Also surviving are three brothers, Roy, Niles; Clay, South Bend; and Gayle, Winston-Salem, N.C.; and three sisters, Mrs. Minnie Read Anthony, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Mrs. Hallie Bass, Bethlehem, N.C. and Mrs. Oma Sloop, Elkin, N.C.
    He is survived by one grandchild.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Vincent Anderson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.
    The deceased formerly was operator of the Town House and the B & L Inn here.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 2, 1970, page 2, col. 5, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Jeffries, Gertrude

MRS. GERTRUDE JEFFRIES
June 16, 1888-July 24, 1969

Niles--Mrs. Gertrude Jeffries, 81, of 515 Ash St., died at 6:47 a.m. today in the Pawating Hospital.
She was born June 16, 1888 in Desota, Mo. coming to Niles in 1920 from Danville, Ill.  She married Claude Jeffries, who died in 1949.
Survivors are one son, Russel Webster, Niles; two step-daughters, Mrs. Mildred Copley, Niles, and Mrs. Fontain Cotton, Gary; two step-sons, Thomas Jeffries, Niles and Joseph Jeffries, Cleveland; one sister, Mrs. Dora Harris, Las Vegas: nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the Apostolic Faith Assembly church, with the Rev. Ivan l. Allen officiating.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the Halbritter Funeral home beginning Sunday.

Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 24, 1969, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Hathaway, Elwood E.

Elwood E. Hathaway

1892-1969

     Elwood E. Hathaway, 77, of 520 Clark St., died at 6 a.m. Tuesday in his home after a  brief illness.
    Mr. Hathaway, a retired tool and die maker for Midwest Metal Products Co., was born April 26, 1892, Marcellus, Mich, and had lived here since 1936 coming from Dowagiac.  He was married to Edna Hathaway who died in 1962.
    Survivors are three sons, Richard E., Niles, and Howard H., Elmwood Park, Ill.; one daughter, Mrs. Ray Wetmore, Niles; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Halbritter Funeral home with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey, St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends will be received after 7 tonight in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 23, 1969, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Purdy, George J.

George J. Purdy
Nov. 30, 1902-July 23, 1969

    CASSOPOLIS--Funeral services for George J. Purdy, 66, Route Two, Cassopolis, who died at 8:05 p.m. Wednesday in the Buchanan Community Hospital, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral home with the Rev. Gary F. Johnson, Church of Christ, officiating.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Mr. Purdy, a baker at Lork's Bakery was born No.[sic] 30, 1902, in Auburn, Ind. and had lived here for 22 years.  He married Mary Kane, Nov. 30, 1936, in Indiana. She survives.
    Other survivors are a son, Harold, Detroit; a daughter, Mrs. Pamela Tittle, Cassopolis; two brothers, Dale, Chicago and Walter, Tampa, Fla; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
    Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral home after 7 tonight.


(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 24, 1969, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Purdy, Harry E.

Harry E. Purdy
April 4, 1898-Sept. 28, 1948

HARRY E. PURDY, 50

    BUCHANAN, Sept. 29--Harry E. Purdy, 50, died suddenly at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday of a heart attack suffered at his home four miles southwest of Buchanan.
    He was born April 4, 1898 in Bourbon, Ind., and came to Buchanan five years ago.  Prior to that time [he] was a foreman at the Christman Construction company, of South Bend.
    On Dec. 26, 1922, he married Grace Maddron in Goshen, Ind.  Surviving are the widow and one sister, Mrs. Clara Poelher, of South Bend.  The Rev. James W. Greenwood, pastor of the Church of Christ, will conduct funeral services at 4 p.m. Friday at the Swem funeral home.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.  (Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)