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.

Friend, Marion June (Pape)

Marion June Friend
June 17, 1925-April 20, 2019

Obituary from Halbritter-Wickens

https://www.halbritterwickens.com/notices/Marion-Friend

Marion “June” Friend, 93 of Niles passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019 in Westwoods of Niles with her family by her side.

June was born on June 17, 1925 in Kalamazoo to the late Andrew and Isabelle (Gray) Pape.

On January 27, 1945 she married Donald W. Friend who passed away on April 5, 1999.  She is also preceded in death by her parents, her son Richard D. Friend and her sister Berdine Bucha.

June is survived by her daughter-in-law Judith A. ‘Judy’ Friend of Niles, grandchildren; Tracey L (Jeff) Eldridge, Donald A. (Jennifer Lutz) Friend and Nichole M (Rob Seaman) Marin, great grandchildren; Isabelle(Dewey) Lee, Jared Marin, Ashlee Eldridge and Emily Friend and  her niece Carol Ann (Ed) Gill and family.

June had worked for many years as a Secretary for John Hancock Insurance.  She was a Notre Dame Football fan. June loved her family and cherished the time she had with them.  All who knew her will fondly remember her infectious laugh and loving smile.

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 25 from 12 noon to 1:00 pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles. A funeral service will begin at 1:00pm in the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.halbritterwickens.com.

Memorials in June’s name may be made at www.petrefuge.com.

Grant, Barbara J. (Craw)

Barbara J. Grant, of Niles
Aug. 18, 1930-Apr. 16, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:44 am Monday, April 22, 2019

Barbara J. Grant, 88 of Niles, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in Riveridge Manor in Niles.

Barbara was born on Aug. 18, 1930, in Attica, Indiana to the late Harlan R. and Dorothy (Oswalt) Craw.

Barbara Grant

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Jerry, David and Samuel Craw; and her sister, Patricia Craw.

Barbara is survived by her two daughters, Christine Holmes and Lisa Grant, both of Niles. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Jessica, Michelle, Emily and Katie; and her brother, Harlan Michael (Kay) Craw.

Barbara graduated from Buchanan High School in 1948. She was a 1981 graduate of Indiana University South Bend where she received a B.S. in Elementary Education. She worked at the Cass District Library as the Children’s Librarian.

She assisted in Girl Scouts with her daughters. Barbara enjoyed traveling, reading and outdoor activities. Barbara was a volunteer receptionist for the Greater Niles Senior Center. She also had the privilege of being a Senior Queen for the Apple Festival.

Visitation for Barbara will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24 in Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences for the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

Memorials in Barbara’s name may be made to the Niles District Library 620 E. Main St. Niles, MI 49120 or nileslibrary.com.

Pritchard, Robin Alice (Dittmar)

Robin Pritchard, of Buchanan
Sept 18, 1955-March 31, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:22 am Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Robin Pritchard, 63, of Buchanan, passed away at home on Sunday, March 31, 2019. Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Obituary by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services:

BUCHANAN, MI - Robin A. Pritchard, 63, of Buchanan, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.

On September 18, 1955 Carl and Isabelle “Rose” (Robbins) Dittmar welcomed their daughter Robin to their home.

She married Don Pritchard on August 6, 1977 at a ceremony in South Bend.

Robin enjoyed many things in her life; she enjoyed traveling, time spent on the boat, trips to the casino, watching the hummingbirds visit the feeders, but most of all she enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She enjoyed visits on the back deck that included a cup of coffee and good conversation, cheering her children and her grandchildren on at their sporting events, and family vacations where everyone was together. She is a tough act to follow, as fun as she was, Robin was the matriarch of the family. She embodied the title “Boss”, and ran a tight ship.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael “Mick”Dittmar. Robin will be greatly missed by her husband, Don of Buchanan; her children, Kaycee Wagley of Niles and Pepper (William) Linn of Buchanan; five grandchildren, Ashley (Gage) Glidden of Buchanan, Chelsey Bennett of Buchanan, Allison Wagley of Niles, Kaleb Pritchard of Buchanan, and Caiden Wagley of Buchanan; and two great-granddaughters, Harper and Hazel Glidden. She is also survived by her siblings, Carl Dittmar of Niles, Inga (Tom) Wright of Niles, and Scott (Lori) Dittmar of Niles; sister-in-law, Honor Dittmar of Warsaw, Indiana, and seventeen nieces and nephews. 

Services to honor Robin's life will be Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Brown Funeral Home at 2 p.m. with a time of visitation two hours prior. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Condolence, photos, and memories may be left for Robin's family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Those wishing to make memorial donations in honor of Robin may do so to Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.
 

Published in South Bend Tribune on Apr. 3, 2019

Sherrick, Mae A. (Starke)

Mae A. Sherrick
September 15, 1916 – April 3, 2019

Niles – Mae A. (Starke) Sherrick, 102, passed away at 3:30am on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 in Woodland of Longmeadow.

Mae was born on September 15, 1916 in Niles to the late Charles and Anna Mae (Thompson) Starke. On April 15, 1939, Mae married Joseph C. Sherrick and he passed away on April 4, 1987. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Mildred, Joseph, and Rae

Mae is survived by her son, Ed (Sandy) Sherrick; grandchildren, Kelly (Becky) Sherrick, and Joshua (Robyn) Sherrick; and great-grandchildren, Iris Lehman, Kyle Sherrick, Jacob Sherrick, Joseph Sherrick, and Jillian Sherrick.

Mae worked as a Probation Officer for Berrien County. She was a member of 1st Presbyterian Church for 87 years.

Family and friends may gather at 1st Presbyterian Church for a Memorial Service at 10am on Monday, April 15, 2019, which would have been Joseph and Mae’s 80th wedding anniversary. Private Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery.

https://www.halbritterwickens.com/notices/Mae-Sherrick/send-flowers

Walker, Patricia (Brown)

Patricia Walker
Aug. 28, 1940 — April 14, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:40 am Friday, April 19, 2019

Aug. 28, 1940 — April 14, 2019

Patricia Walker, 78, passed away at 11:14 p.m. on April 14, 2019, in Lakeland Health in Saint Joseph.

Patricia was born on Aug. 28, 1940, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to the late James A. and Selena K. (Noseworthy) Brown. Patricia was also preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd “Barney” Walker and daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Harris.

Patricia is survived by her daughters, Jodi (David) Whitaker and Cindy (Dale) Webber; son-in-law, Michael (Maggie) Harris; grandchildren Deane Loging, Faith Loging, and Zachary Harris; great-grandchildren, Rosalie Loging, and Dash Loging; brother, Aubrey “Cliff” Brown; and sister, Marion “Maze” Martin.

Patricia was one of nine children.

She retired after 13 years of service from the Deli at Martin’s Super Market and had also worked at the American Legion. She was involved with dance classes for her girls, enjoyed their recitals, and watching Jodi play softball. She enjoyed crocheting and doing puzzles. She was very involved at the American Legion including Flag Detail at the Cemetery. Patricia was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. She had a great love for the American Eagle and the American Flag.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2019, in Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St., Niles.

A celebration of Patricia’s life will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in the funeral home with Pastor Jeff Whittaker officiating. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.

Condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com

Kupper, Connie LaVerne

Connie L. Kupper, of Niles
Nov. 7, 1943 — March 10, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:22 am Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Nov. 7, 1943 — March 10, 2019

Connie L. Kupper, 75, of Niles, passed away at her daughter’s home on Sunday, March 10, 2019, with her loving family by her side.

Connie was born on Nov. 7, 1943, in Buchanan, to Leonard and Allene (Lolmaugh) Copper.

Connie L. Kupper

After graduating from the Niles Adult Education program in 1979, while working at Simplicity Pattern Company and later as a nursing assistant at Lakeland Hospital. She married Richard H. Kupper at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Nov. 6, 1971, where she was a lifelong member. Connie was an avid reader, she enjoyed watching Heartland, The Price Is Right, University of Michigan football, and the Super Bowl on TV. She was known to visit the casino occasionally, and maybe purchase a few lottery tickets. Her most treasured time was spent with her family, especially her great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald Copper.

Connie is survived by her loving husband, Richard, of Niles; her daughters, Diane (Ronnie) Batson, of Niles and MaryJo (Sam) Udell, of Niles; grandchildren, Brett Batson, of Niles, and Brittany (David) Dykema, of Niles; and two great-grandchildren, Jax and Lola Dykema; sister-in-laws, Rose (Ray) Richmond, Kathryn (Lonnie) Horvath and Mary Cooper, all of Niles; a host of friends including Pat and Bob Frame, of Niles, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2019, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Joseph Liss officiating. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church-Ladies Aid.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Kyles, Augustine

Augustine Kyles
June 24, 1952 - March 18, 2019

Augustine Kyles, 66, of South Bend, IN, born in Niles, MI, June 24, 1952, passed on Monday, March 18, 2019.

Augustine was preceded in death by her father, Alonzo Moss; mother, Dessie Lee Cobb; sister, Monie Kay Murphy; brothers, Larry Fox Sr, Dwight Moss, Leroy Cobb Jr, and Kenny Cobb.

She leaves to cherish her memory husband of 42 years, Clay Kyles; sons, Terrance Alonzo Moss of Niles, Alvin Kyles Jr of Niles, Aaron Kyles of Niles; sisters, Margaret Ann Danquah of Niles, Norma “Jean” Bradley of South Bend, Darlene Macon of South Bend, Regina West Lucas, Yolanda Moss, Melissa Moss, Estelle Moss, Lisa Anderson, Debbie Pigee, Carla Hill; brothers, David Moss, Dwayne West; 17 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

Visitation for Augustine will begin at 10 am with funeral service at 11 am on Monday, March 25, 2019 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St., Niles, MI 49120.  Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

https://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/augustine-kyles