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.

Gombosi, Wanda (Weaver)

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Wanda M. Gombosi, of Niles
Feb. 17, 1929-Nov. 16, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:38 am Tuesday, November 19, 2019

 
 
 
 

Feb. 17, 1929 – Nov. 16, 2019

Wanda M. Gombosi, 90, a lifetime resident of Niles, let Jesus take her hand and lead her into Heaven on Nov. 16, 2019.

Wanda was the daughter of Lynn and Marvel Weaver, who proceeded her in death; along with her brother, Norman Weaver; and husbands, Paul Clark Gano and William Gombosi, Jr.

Wanda is survived by her sister, Carol Jones, of Niles, and her children, James Gano (Gombosi) and wife, Leslie, in New Jersey; daughters, Peggy Hutchings, of South Bend, and Nancy Jones, (husband, John), of Kalamazoo; son, Tom Gombosi, (Debbie Leonard), of Niles.

Wanda was blessed with 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was fortunate to have her dear friend for many years, Robert Norris.

Wanda graduated from Niles High School. She was active at Emmanuel Baptist Church, and Wanda loved the Lord. She enjoyed sewing, cross stitch and scrap booking. Wanda loved making special gifts for family and friends. Wanda was also an avid shoe shopper. She also enjoyed reading, playing scrabble, puzzles and watching Jeopardy. She was a member of the Berrien County Historical Society.

Wanda lived in Niles most of her life. She then resided at Buchanan Meadows and Hanson House Hospice after a long and courageous battle with Dementia.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hanson House Hospice, Stevensville.

Wanda’s family would like to give a special thanks to all the wonderful people who cared for and loved her at Buchanan Meadows and Hanson House Hospice. We would also like to thank Bob Norris, for loving and caring, and being there for our mother, for so many years. Every one of these people were a real God send.

A funeral service for Wanda will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles, where family and friends may gather two hours prior to the service. Burial will follow in Silverbrook
Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.

Meredith, Nathaniel 1844-1907

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Nathaniel Meredith
Feb. 22, 1844-Oct. 11, 1907

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, Oct. 11, 1907, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Nathaniel Meredith dropped near the store of C.R. Enos, 1106 Broadway, about 1 o'clock this afternoon. The deceased had been in poor health for some time and had suffered two attacks of paralysis. He was about 65 years of age and is survived by a wife and two sons, the latter being James Meredith of Chicago, and Arthur Meredith, of this place.

Robinson, Duportal D.

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Duportal D. Robinson
Sept. 1, 1822-Dec. 22, 1907

Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 23, 1907, pp. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

D.D. ROBINSON'S FORGE IS COLD
VENERABLE SMITH PASSES PEACEFULLY AWAY
HAD ATTAINED THE AGE OF 85
Recently Celebrated Sixty-Eighth Anniversary of His Career as a Mechanic

D.D. Robinson, a highly respected and well known pioneer resident of Niles, passed away at his home on State street, West Niles, Sunday morning at 7:45 o'clock, aged 85 years. Death was due to heart trouble.
The deceased was a very remarkable man and his powers of endurance were great, he having labored at the forge for nearly three-quarters of a century. Mr. Robinson was born in New York, Sept. 1, 1822, and came to this state 53 years ago. For two score years he made all the chisels used on the western division of the Michigan Central, in addition to doing other tool and general blacksmith work. Subsequently he opened a shop in Niles and had been engaged in steel and iron work continuously until up to a few weeks ago, when he was stricken with illness.
Mr. Robinson was married in New York when 21 years of age and six children were born of this union, all of whom save one, Henry Robinson, who died at Three Rivers a years ago last November, survive him. There are S.L. Robinson of Petoskey, this state, D.L. Robinson of North Platte, Neb., Mrs. Mary Porter of Niles, R.E. Robinson of Chicago and J.I. Robinson of Three Rivers.
Generations of Niles children have watched the sparks fly from D.D. Robinson's forge, and they only knew him to esteem him as the years passed by. Today they miss his kindly smile and friendly greeting; they long in vain to hear the ring of his anvil and to feel again his genial presence.
"And children coming home from school
Look in at the open door,
They love to see the flaming forge
And hear the bellows roar."
Mr. Robinson was the last of a family of six children, and recently, when in conversation with the writer, he attributed prolongation of life in his case, first, to the fact that he came of good long-lived stock, his paternal great-grand-mother having lived to be a 102 years old; secondly, to the fact that he lead a judicious life, have been temperate in his habits; thirdly, because he had lived a life of incessant toil, getting plenty of exercise, which tended to prevent the atrophy of the tissues and organs connected with the changes in blood vessels, which causes death from old age, and becuase he had [continued on page 2] always cultivated a joyful disposition and performed his work cheerfully.
His kindness to everybody will long be remembered as a fragrant memory in the home which his presence brightened and with his friends generally.
The funeral services will be held at the home at 126 State street at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Rev. Messrs. F.H. Clapp of the M.E. church and C.J. DeCoux of Trinity church officiating.

Moore, Stephen

editor Obituaries

Stephen Moore
Jan. 16, 1816-Oct. 7, 1907

Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 7, 1907, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library

STEPHEN MOORE IS DEAD.
Was the Pioneer Business Man of Niles

Stephen Moore, the pioneer business man of Niles, died at 1 o'clock this morning, aged 91 years. The deceased was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, and came to Nles in 1834 and engaged in the dry goods business. Some years ago he retired from mercantile pursuits and laid out an addition in the eastern part of the city, where he had since resided with his wife, to whom he was married upwards of 56 years ago. No children were born to this union.
The funeral will take place from the home at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Rev. C.E. Marvin officiating. Interment at Silver Brook.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1907, page 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services for the late Stephen Moore took place this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence on Regent Street, Rev. C.E. Marvin officiating. Interment took place in Silver Brook.

Bass, James B.

editor Obituaries

James B. Bass, of Niles
April 16, 1957-Oct. 12, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:07 am Tuesday, October 22, 2019

 
 
 
 

April 16, 1957 — Oct. 12, 2019

James B. Bass, 62, husband, father, grandfather, provider and neighborhood grillmaster died peacefully at 4:52 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, with family gathered around at his house following a brief illness.

His family is grateful for the special care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice and others who helped James stay at home and out of the hospital.

He was born as J. B. Bass on April 16, 1957, in Trumann, Arkansas, to Irmalene Bass. Five years later, on the first day of school, a proper first name was required for which he named himself, “James.”

He moved with his family to Michigan where he attended Benton Harbor High School. He soon met Diane Dickerson, with whom he would spend the rest of his life.

He was devoted to provide the income to shelter and nourish his family, sometimes working two jobs and moving his family to California in search of better jobs. They returned to Michigan in 1996, to Niles, where they bought their first house.

He was employed at the former New Energy ethanol plant in South Bend and was currently employed at MAP of Easton, Inc. in Elkhart.

James enjoyed fishing in the Saint Joseph River, usually in Niles or Benton Harbor, and often at night for catfish. He also enjoyed gardening, mostly green tomatoes, greens and every variety of hot peppers.

He would go hunting for deer or rabbit, which he would prepare for meals in the kitchen at home. His best cooking was in the backyard on the grill, especially his barbecued ribs. Grilling combined many interests, including those hot peppers for the rub, listening to the blues and to jazz and fellowshipping with neighbors drawn by the fragrances, sometimes adding their own meat to the grill. He was always careful to adjust the heat of the peppers from “nice” for his wife to “challenging” for the young men at the table.

His greatest interest, efforts and devotion was his family.

On Dec. 23, 1978, he celebrated his relationship with Diane in a wedding in Saint Joseph.

Surviving family includes his wife, Diane Bass; and their daughters, Alicia (Richard Porter) Dickerson, of Long Beach, California, and Shawnte (Marshall) Bass-Merritt, of San Antonio, Texas.

James was so successful naming himself that he gave endearing nicknames to each of his grandchildren, Amanda “Dimps” (Mario) Casul, Brenda Ann “Li’l Bit” Bass, Imani “Tiny Mite” Jerome, Ishmael “Ishy” Wilburn, Adiel “Low Key” Wilburn, James B. “Slick” Bass, Cordell “Money” Merritt, Richard “Rue” Porter and Shantrice “Princess” Merritt.

Also surviving are James’ siblings, Stoney Prowell, of Grand Rapids, Annie Woods, of Los Angeles, California, Jo “Chris” (Will) Bates, of South Bend, and Jolena Prowell, of Benton Harbor; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a 19-year-old son, James Poole; by his mother, Irmalene Bass Prowell; and siblings, Carla June Bass, J. W. Bass and Doris Prowell.

The memorial service for James Bass will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles, with Rev. Rebeca R. Mitchell officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of James may be made to the Niles Noon Optimist Club, P.O. Box 63, Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

James was born with an absentee father and his mother died during his childhood, but he persevered as an honorable husband and father, with a disciplined and industrious lifestyle to “feed his babies” and leave a legacy of a successful family who loves him and looks forward to coming home to “the house that James built.”

Lappan, Georgette Ramona

editor Obituaries

Georgette Ramona Lappan
April 29, 1944 - Oct. 23, 2019

Obituary of Georgette Ramona Lappan

Georgette R. Lappan, 75, of Niles, passed away at her home, unexpectedly, of natural causes, on Wednesday, October 23, 2019. 

Georgette was born on April 29, 1944, to the late Raymond and Corrine (Des Jardins) Lappan in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  After graduating from high school, Georgette went on to earn her Registered Nurses degree working in Memorial Hospital in South Bend, then her passion of helping others led her to become the addictions coordinator for Pathways at Memorial Hospital. In the latter part of her career she served as a parish nurse for St. Therese, Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend. Georgette was a lady of great faith and served as a Eucharist Minister for several years throughout the community and traveled to Maiduguri aiding in mission work. She enjoyed time amongst the Brothers of Holy Cross.   

In 1963 Georgette married Larry J. Bartak at a ceremony in Niles and to that union was born two children, Tamara and Joseph. Some years later the marriage ended however, the two of them remained friends.    

Georgette loved spending her free time at Lappan Resort on Barron Lake, dancing, and time with her family. She relished her time at the ocean, watching seagulls and basking in the peacefulness of the waves.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Georgette is survived by her children, Tamara (Christopher) Bartak-Mechaney of Ada, Michigan and Joseph (Karina) Bartak of Edwardsburg; seven grandchildren, Tyler, A.J., Brooke, Hunter, Briana, Stephanie and Jose; two great-grandchildren, Melanie and Kevin; siblings, Marcella (Arthur) Charbonneau of Lakeland, Florida, Charmaine Rau of Detroit, Sheila (Charlie) Rhodes of Atlanta, Georgia and Donald Lappan of Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada; and many extended family members and close friends. She also leaves Petie (Pierre), her beloved dog.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at Our Lady of the Lakes in Edwardsburg at 11:00 a.m. Father Bob Flickinger officiating.  Georgette will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Ramsby, G. Russell

editor Obituaries

G. Russell Ramsby
March 31, 1902-Dec. 31, 1989

The Herald-Palladium (St. Joseph, MI), Tuesday, January 2, 1990, page 13.

NILES--G. Russell Ramsby, 87, retired treasurer of National-Standard Co., Niles, died at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Hospital, South Bend. He resided at 9 N. 13th St., Niles.

The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Niles, of which he was a member. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials may be made to the church, the Niles-Buchanan Rotary Scholarship Fund or the donor's favorite charity.

Mr. Ramsby was born March 31, 1902,in Petoskey, Mich., and moved to Niles in 1944 from New York city. He was a graduate of Ferris State University and retired in 1967 from his position as treasurer of National-Standard Co., He was also a member of the Niles-Buchanan Rotary club and the Pickwick Club, a former member of the Niles Safety Board, Niles City Council and Pawating Hospital board and was a former director of the First Federal Savings and Loan.

Survivors include: his wife, the former, Mary F. Finn, who he married Sept. 8, 1929; two sons--Dr. Gale R. Ramsby of Branford, Conn., and Richard A. Ramsby of Centreville, Va.: nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Ramsby of Niles.

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