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.

Humphrey, Charles R.

Charles R. Humphrey
Sept. 28, 1921-August 20, 1999

Charles R. “Bob” Humphrey, 77, of 1360 Huntley road, died Friday, Aug. 20, 1999, in his home after an illness. He was born Sept. 28, 1921. Survivors include his wife, Betty L. (Dittmar); a daughter, Tammy (Jerry) Long of Niles; a son, Terry (Shelia) Humphrey, of Niles; two brothers, Tom Humphrey of Ocala, Fla, and Zeph Davis of Sacramento, Calif.; grandchildren, Laura Humphrey, Andrea Ritter, Army Scott, Paula Humphrey, Mike Long and Corey Long; and a great-grandson, Isaiah Ritter. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Church of Christ Christian. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Humphrey, Charles H.

Charles H. Humphrey
July 27, 1896-Sept. 24, 1972

Charles H. Humphrey was born July 27, 1896,  in Knox. He passed away Sept. 24, 1972 in Niles. On Sept. 8, 1920 in St. Joseph to Mable Pearl Davis. Survivors include a sons Thomas and Charles; stepson, Zeph Davis and a half brother, Jesse Larson. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Pifer Funeral home is handling arrangements. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Huffman, William R.

William R. Huffman
June 3, 1891-May 28, 1929

Wm. Huffman, World War Vet, taken by death

Passes away at St. Joseph Home after long illness.

Illness which had its beginning while serving in the world war resulted in the death this morning at 2 o’clock of William Huffman, 38 at his home, 211 S. St. Joseph Avenue. Mr. Huffman was twice on the firing line during the war and for 27 days stood in the trenches without shoes on his feet. He was taken from the trenches to a hospital in France and was in the hospital but three days when the armistice was signed. When the order came that all men able to walk might leave the hospital for home, Mr. Huffman was among the first discharged. He was while in service a member of Co E. 39th infantry, fourth division. He enlisted from Niles early during the war. 

Mr. Huffman was born in Greenville, O, on June 3, 1891. He was married on October 20, 1920, in South Bend to Miss Eva Hartline who survives him. They came at once to Niles and had since resided her. Three childen were born to them and they survive their father, they are Eugene, seven, Martha, six, and Virginia four years. Besides the children and widow, Mr. Huffman is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Alva Leonard of Niles and Mrs. Charles Jones of Greenville, O; and a brother, Harry of Niles. Mr. Huffman had been in ill health for more than eight years and had been confined to his bed since November 20, last years.

The funeral services will be held in the home at 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon. Elder William Westworth, of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Berrien Springs will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Huffman, Gertrude (Linsenmier)

Gertrude Huffman
March 1, 1890-Sept. 7, 1920

Death Follows Long Illness

Mrs. Harry Huffman, Well Known Young Woman, died last evening.

Mrs. Harry G. Huffman died last evening at 9:45 O’clock at her home, 505 Lincoln Avenue. Her death followed months of suffering. She had but recently returned from Epworth Hospital at South Bend, where she spent a number of weeks, but the care of specialist and nurses proved unavailing.

Mrs. Huggman’s maiden name was Gertrude A. Linsemier, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William (Sarah Meyers) Linsenmier, she was born March 1, 1890.  She is survivied by her husband, five children, Leona, Melvin, Lyle, Cleo and Robert; her parents and by three sisters, Mrs. Ernie Murphy, Mrs. Sherman Frizzell and Miss Dorothy Linsenmier, all of Niles. She was well known in this community and a host of friends mourn her death.

The funeral sevices will be held thrusday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock from the house. Burial will occur at Silver Brook Cemtery.  

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Huffman, Georgia Faye (Amick)

Georgia Faye Huffman
June 10, 1918-July 4, 2006

Georgia Faye Huffman, 88, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, 2006, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

She was born on June 10, 1918, in South Bend, to the late Wilma Bessie (Lehman) and George Amick. On July 30, 1955, in Niles, Michigan, she married Cleo "Speed" Huffman, who preceded her in death on June 6, 1999. Mrs. Huffman was also preceded in death by three sisters, Pearl Crawford, Ethel Karns and Alva Bonfoey; and by two brothers, Lou and Fredrick (Fritz) Amick.

Mrs. Huffman is survived by two sons, Kenneth D. (Jan) Misenar of Albion, Indiana, and Larry (Jane) Huffman of Niles, Michigan; two daughters, Rose Ann (Kenny) Richert of Mishawaka, Indiana, and Helen Weinberg of South Bend; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Wilma Erick of South Bend; and by many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Huffman retired in 1980 from Uniroyal after 36 years of service. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She very much adored her family and enjoyed traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. She was fond of ceramic birds and the beauty of flowers. She enjoyed fine dining and playing cards. Mrs. Huffman was a wonderful and caring person who will greatly be missed by all of those whose lives she touched.

Services for Mrs. Huffman will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today. Rev. Barbara Jung, pastor of Unity Church of Peace, South Bend, will conduct the services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, Michigan.

The family request that memorial contributions be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Huff, Wilma W. "Billie"

Wilma Huff
May 23, 1907-April 24, 1995

Wilma W. ''Billie'' Huff, 87, of 540 Oak St., died at 9:23 p.m. Monday, April 24, 1995, in Pawating Hospital after an illness. Mrs. Huff formerly was employed at the Chamber of Commerce and Troost Brothers Furniture. She was born May 23, 1907, in Logansport, Ind., and had lived in Niles since 1923, including many years at Barron Lake. On May 27, 1943, she married Claude J. Huff. He died Feb. 15, 1963. Surviving are grandchildren; great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mildred L. Huff of South Bend; and a brother-in-law, Carlton Geary of Niles. A daughter, Shirley Murray, preceded her in death, and a son, Robert L., died in December 1991. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service or American Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Hubbard, S. Eugene

S. Eugene Hubbard
April 5, 1922-April 19, 2007

Mr. S. Eugene Hubbard, 85, of Philip Road, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2007, in Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles.

He was born on April 5, 1922, in Elberton, Georgia, to S. Eugene and Janie (Norman) Hubbard. He attended school in Georgia and earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in music from the University of Georgia. He taught music in Georgia high schools for several years.

He had a lifelong interest in astronomy, which led him to continue his education at the University of Chicago. He used the science and mathematics learned for astronomy to pursue a position with an architectural firm. In 1956 he was hired by the Kawneer Company, Niles, advancing to the position of director of research and development.

He continued his interest in music, playing the piano for The Straw Hats jazz combo, and, with his wife, participating with the Guys & Dolls ballroom dancing club. He also continued his interest in astronomy, marketing kits and blueprints to build tabletop scale models of the five-meter telescope at Palomar Observatory.

On August 24, 1947, in Springfield, Illinois, he married the former Cecilia Kloga, who survives. Also surviving are their sons, Eugene Norman Hubbard, Ph.D., of San Diego, California, and Michael A. Hubbard, Ph.D. (Rita, Ph.D.), Pittsford, New York; and granddaughters, Anna Hubbard and Sarah Hubbard.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Hubbard.

The funeral service for Mr. S. Eugene Hubbard will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Kevin J. McLemore of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Coloma, Michigan, officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Hubbard may be made to the Fernwood Botanic Garden and Nature Center.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown