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.

Fletcher, Todd M.

Todd M. Fletcher
September 22, 1966-January 14, 2005

Todd M. "Tippy" Fletcher, 38, of Merrifield Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died at 7:45 p.m. Friday Jan. 14, 2005,  in his home after a long battle with melanoma.

He had been employed by Tyler Refrigeration (Niles), Gordon Food Service and Alick's Home Medical.  With the birth of his son, Todd was able to help with his home care.

On September 22, 1966, in Niles, Todd was born to Chester and Karen (Selent).  He was a lifetime area resident. Active at the First Missionary Church in Niles, Todd embodied the Christian spirit in his relationships with his wife, son, mother, sister, brother and his many friends.

A sports fan, Todd enjoyed baseball, especially the Chicago White Sox.  He loved the University of Michigan as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers.  In addition to golf, he was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle rider.

On June 17, 2000, in Niles, he married Angela (Stec) Fletcher, who survives.  Also surviving is a son, Drew at home. Todd's mom, Karen (Selent) Fletcher of Niles, survives along with a sister, Jessica (Robert) Rogers of Niles, and a brother, Greg (Tammy) Fletcher of New Carlisle, Indiana.  He was a loving uncle to his nieces, Courtney Cassler, Kathryn, Margaret and Annabelle Rogers, and nephews, Cody Cassler and Camryn Fletcher. His surviving in-laws include Frank and Kathy Stec of South Bend.

His father, Chester, and a brother, Scott, preceded Todd in death.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 18, in First Missionary Church, 2325 East U.S. 12 in Niles, with Rev. Tim Fletcher of Dowagiac, Michigan, officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to the Drew Fletcher College Fund in care of the funeral home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Fleck, Thomas C.

Thomas C. Fleck
August 23, 1906-January 2, 1979

Thomas C. Fleck, 72, of 2405 N. Fifth St., died at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 2, 1979, in Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.  A retired employee of William’s Home Center.  Fleck was born on August 23, 1906 in Nebraska to Joseph Fleck and Barbara Prochaska, and his first wife, Norma Louise Brow, and had lived his lifetime in the Niles area coming from Three Oaks. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ.  On March 12, 1949 in Niles, He married Emma Wruck, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Harry of Baroda; a daughter, Mrs. Norma Walters, New Buffalo; a brother, Vincent Fleck of Three Oaks; six sisters, Mrs. Bessie Zebell, Mrs. Victoria Hartline, both of Three Oaks, Mrs. Josephine Stanage, Niles, Mrs. Mildred Baker, Buchanan, Mrs. Ann Johnson, New Troy and Mrs. Frances Krone, Florida; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.   Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home officiating will be Rev. Robert Livingston of St. John’s United Church of Christ.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. Thursday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Fleck, Emma M. (Wruck) (Chamberlian)(Kaiser)

Emma M. Fleck
Jan. 22, 1900-June 25, 1990

Services for Emma M. Fleck, 90, of 2405 N. Firth St., who died at 1:50 a.m. Monday, June 25, 1990, in Pawating Hospital, after an illness, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Michigan First Assembly of God. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Mrs. Fleck was born Jan. 22, 1900 in Denham, Ind.  On March 12, 1959 in Niles she married Thomas C. Fleck, who died Jan. 2, 1979.  Survivors include a son, Alfred L. Chamberlain of Cassopolis; a stepdaughter, Norma Walters of New Buffalo; a stepson, Harry Fleck of Baroda; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. She was a member of the church.  [Also married to Lawrence Chamberlain and Frank Kaiser.] 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Fisher, Harvey L. Sr.

Harvey L. Fisher
June 3, 1870-August 5, 1952

Harvey L. Fisher Sr., 82, of Rural route Four, died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 1952, in Pawating hospital after drinking poison, Niles policeman said today.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Lloyd Finch, Mrs. Paul Holmes and Mrs. Homer Miller, all of Niles; one son, Harvey Fisher Jr. of Niles, 22 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. William Weaver of Niles; and one brother, John Fisher of Niles.

Fisher was born on June 13, 1870, in Bertrand Township and had lived her all his life. He retired after working for 26 years for the French Paper company, and he also farmed. His wife, Minnie Allenberger, died on Dec. 29, 1949.  Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. Harry Kroegh, pastor of the Church of God of Roseland, Ind.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Fisher, Clarence F.

Clarence F. Fisher
Feb. 11, 1893-Aug 5, 1962

Clarence F. Fisher, 69, of 614 Chicago Road, Niles,  died at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, August 5, 1962, in his home after a year’s illness.  Mr. Fisher a veteran of World War I and member of the American Legion was born Feb. 11, 1893 in Niles to John and Mary (Pohlman) Fisher, and had lived here all his life. He was a member of first Presbyterian Church. Surviving are the widow, Martha C. (Bachman); two sons, Keith and Kenton Fisher, both of Niles; four grandchildren; two brothers, Roy H. Fisher, Arlington, VA, and Raymond L. Fisher, Miami, Fla.; and two sisters, Mrs. Clinton G. Luetters and Mrs. Bernice Leusch, both of South Bend. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor of First Presbyterian church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home at 7 p.m. today.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Fisher, Ruth (Butts)

Ruth Fisher
March 28, 1907-Nov. 28, 1999

Ruth (Butts) Fisher, 92, of Plant City, Fla., formerly of Niles, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 1999, in South Florida Baptist Hospital, Plant City, of natural causes. Survivors include two sons, Roy Gaul of Plant City and Gerald Gaul of Niles. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Silverbrook Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements. She was born March 28, 1907.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Fink, John E.

John E. Fink
Sept. 24, 1926-June 30, 2000

Mr. John Ernest Fink, 73, of 1800 Harrah Road, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2000 at the University Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind.

He was born on Sept. 24, 1926 in South Bend, Ind. to John Fredrick and Threasa Barbara (Grolich) Fink, and was raised in South Bend, where he graduated from John Adams High School. He also graduated from the Indiana State College, Terre Haute and fulfilled the requirements as a Certified Public Accountant.  He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Fink was first employed in Niles at a private accountancy firm. He then took the position of senior vice-president at the former First National Bank - Southwest (now Old Kent Bank). He later took the position of financial executive treasurer of the Mastic Corporation, South Bend. For the past 16 years, he had served as financial administrator to Mr. and Mrs. Judd Leighton of South Bend.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Niles and its Foundation. He had been a member and past president of the Financial Executive Institute of South Bend, and in Niles of the Jaycee's, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the YMCA and Orchard Hills Country Club. He had always enjoyed golfing, but his greatest joy had been his family and especially his grandchildren.

On Oct. 27, 1948, in Michigan City, Ind., he married the former Helen Jane Slaven, with whom he celebrated the 50th anniversary of that marriage in 1998.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; sons, John Jay (Laura) Fink and Ronald Alan (Ruth) Fink, both of Niles; grandchildren, Nathan John Fink, Nicole Jane Fink, Mary Sue Slack, Lawson Alexander Fink, Marjorie Jane Fink, and Threasa Dawn Fink; great-grandchildren, Trevor Slack and Kaylie Slack; sisters, Betty Lou Green of Osceola, Ind. and Barbara Ann Michalos of South Bend; and by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. John E. Fink will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2000 with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman officiating. Committal services will be at the graveside at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles, and will conclude with the Veteran's Flag Presentation by American Legion Post #26 Commander John McLaughlin.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Fink may be made to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown