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.

Dickeson, Nellie (Hubbard)

editor Obituaries

Nellie Dickeson
1889-March 2, 1928

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 2, 1928, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

 

DEATH LEAVES 6 SMALL CHILDREN MOTHERLESS

Mrs. William Dickeson Passes Away After Operation for Tumor

 

Mrs. Nellie Dickeson, 39, wife of William Dickeson and mother of six children, died this morning at 3 o'clock. On Monday she had an operation for tumor, and grew steadily weaker until her death. The youngest of the six children is three years of age.

Mrs. Dickeson's maiden name was Nellie Hubbard, only daughter of Charles Hubbard, 925 Cherry street. Her mother died 28 years ago. Besides her husband, who is a Michigan Central railroad employee, her father, and her children, Mrs. Dickeson is survived by three brothers, William, of Sumnerville, Lyle, of Eau Claire, and Giles, who is in the south. The children are Silvester, Hazel, Esther, Opal, Virgil and Lucille.

The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. W.G. Webbink, pastor of St. John's church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 3, 1928, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's church, will conduct the funeral services on Sunday afternoon for Mrs. William Dickeson. The service will be held at 2 o'clock at the home at Howard and Seventh streets. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Swindell, George

editor Obituaries

George Swindell
May 7, 1840-June 23, 1903

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 23, 1903, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

 

GEORGE SWINDELL

Death Summons Another Nilesite This Afternoon

 

George Swindell died this afternoon of cancer of the stomach, after a lingering illness. The deceased is survived by a wife and one daughter, the latter being Mrs. Isaac Waterhouse of Anniston, Ala. Mr. Swindell resided in Niles during the past 16 years, and was esteemed and respected by all who knew him.

Funeral announcement later.

Curtis, Lucinda

editor Obituaries

Lucinda Curtis
June 30, 1839-June 22, 1903

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 23, 1903, page 2 col 4, microfilm Niles District Library

 

MRS. LUCINDA CURTIS

Pioneer Resident Passed Away Last Evening

 

Mrs. Lucinda Curtis, wife of John Curtis, died of paralysis last evening at 7:30 o'clock, after a lingering illness. The deceased, who was a respectable colored lady, was 65 years of age and had resided here for forty years. She is survived by a husband and seven children, all of whom, with the exception of William, of Chicago, were present at the bedside when the end came.

The funeral will take place from the home at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Rev. Roberts of South Bend officiating. Interment at Silver Brook.

Reutter, Donald A.

editor Obituaries

Donald A. Reutter
Nov. 10, 1906-March 6, 1992


The Herald-Palladium (St. Joseph, MI), Sunday, March 8, 1992, page 11


NILES--Donald A. Reutter, 85, of 1894 Lewis Dr., Niles, died Friday at Pawating Hospital.


There will be no funeral or visitation. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements are by Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles. Memorials may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service.


Mr. Reutter was born Nov. 10, 1907, in Fenton, Iowa. He lived in Niles for 40 years. He retired in 1962, from Hoffman Brothers Auto Sales where he had been a salesman. Survivors include: His wife, the former Olga Anderson, whom he married July 9, 1926; a daughter, Carole Reutter of Niles; a son, Donald Jr. of Niles; two sisters--Vera Hood of Duluth, Minn. and Cleona Goodrow of Stevensville; and a brother, Durward of Washington; five grandchildren; and six grandchildren [sic]. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Bonnie Rafferty, in 1975.

Kent, William T.

editor Obituaries

William T. Kent
June 6, 1822-June 26, 1860

Niles Inquirer, Wednesday, June 27, 1860, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral

The friends of the late WM. T. KENT are invited to attend his funeral at the Methodist Church, Thursday, June 28th, at 10 o'clock.

 

Niles Inquirer, Wednesday, July 4, 1860, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

It becomes our painful duty to record the death of another of our highly esteemed fellow citizens, W. T. KENT, Esq., who departed this life on Tuesday evening, the 26th untime, after an illness of same over two weeks. Mr. KENT was a man of rare moral worth, and as an evidence of the esteem in which he was held by the people of this city, at our last city election, he was called by the public voice to a high and responsible post of honor, and elected as Alderman of the ward in which he lived, which office he filled to the day of his death, with great credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of those who called him to that post of honor.
Mr. KENT was truly a Christian gentleman, and as such was highly esteemed by all true Christians who had an acquaintance with him, and respected by those who lay no claims to Christianity. He was a member of the M.E. church, a leader of one of the classes in said church, in this city, and an efficient member of the Official Board of said church. He was a man of sterling integrity, who word was always reliable, and his promise as good as a note well-secured. He was a kind husband, an affectionate father, a good citizen, and a true friend.
How appropriate the text selected for his funeral discourse, by his true friend, Rev. Mr. Kindred, St. Matt. 25:21. His funeral was attended by a very large concourse of people, embracing the most of the members of his own church, and a large number of the members of the sister churches in the place, together with the entire City Council, and many other citizens, who manifested their respect for the deceased, by following his remains to their last resting place. May the blessing of God rest upon all these, and may His grace abundantly sustain his afflicted family.

 

Miller, Soren William

editor Obituaries

Soren Miller, of Niles
July 23, 2016-Nov. 20, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:27 am Monday, November 25, 2019

Soren William Miller, 3, of Niles, passed away unexpectedly but of natural causes on Nov. 20, 2019.

Soren was born on July 23, 2016, to Lisa Marie Ihrig and Clarence “Clancy” Miller, and he brought with him the love of the pure-hearted.

Soren was born in Goshen, Indiana, and had his first helicopter shortly thereafter to Riley’s Children’s Hospital.

Those who knew Soren can attest that he was a complete joy to be around. He was currently enrolled in Blossomland Learning Center. Soren enjoyed watching cartoons such as “Baby Joy Joy,” “CocoMelon,” “Puppy Dog Pals,” “Paw Patrol” and “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”

Soren has lived a very short life but made a huge impact on the hearts of countless people. He shared his beautiful light of love by dancing to the beat of his mother’s drums and the strum of his father’s guitar. He taught us how to love unconditionally. Soren means “bringer of peace” in Scandinavian.

He is survived by his parents, Clarence “Clancy” Miller and Lisa Marie Ihrig; paternal grandparents, Clarence (Darla) Keith and Lynda (Frank) Miller, of Elkhart; maternal grandparents, Fred (Renet) Ihrig, of Elkhart, and Joyce (Danny) Lanyon, of Ranger, Georgia; aunts and uncles, Jason (Gretchen) Ihrig, Brian (Angie) Miller, Allyson (Kevin) Hammonds and Amy (Rockie McRoberts) Miller; cousins, Blake, Hannah, Autumn, Khelben, Durkin, Monica, Courtney, Rachel, Aidan, Calliopy and Destiny.

Services to honor Soren will take place at 1 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home.

Photos, condolences and memories of Soren can be left for his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Miller, Marylou (Brown)

editor Obituaries

MaryLou Miller, of Niles
March 13, 1930-Nov. 17, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:37 am Tuesday, November 19, 2019

March 13, 1930 – Nov. 17, 2019

MaryLou Miller, 89, of Niles, passed at home on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, surrounded by her loving
family.

She was born on March 13, 1930, in Niles to the late Vernon Lee and Adeline M. (Burnham) Brown.

MaryLou was a Niles High School graduate, class of 1948. On Dec. 31, 1948, she married Herbert L. Miller at a ceremony in Niles. Together they raised five children.

MaryLou will be remembered for her 19 years of dedicated service to then Pawating Hospital (now Lakeland Hospital) in Niles. Early on, Mary’s life centered around her family, and she looked forward to holidays and time spent together. MaryLou loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had been a Girl Scout leader and was an avid reader.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Herbert; a son, Mark Miller; her granddaughter, Tammy Sue Miller; and her brothers, Richard and David Brown.

MaryLou is survived by her children, Daryl (Laura) Miller, Teri (Gary) Cooper, Steven (Donna) Miller and Scott (Laura) Miller; nine grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, along with a host of family and friends.

A time of visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., Niles. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday Nov. 22, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home, with a committal at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to Caring Circle (Hospice at Home) 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Memories of MaryLou may be shared with her family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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