Vickie Caison, one of the original Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery, passed away last Sunday after a long illness.  I remember meeting her at the local Hardees over 10 years ago.  I had recently moved here to Niles and wanted to document the local cemetery.  I found that Vickie had done much of that work already.  She was looking for some way to preserve and display her hard work.  A few months later, we met with other folks who had skills and interests in the physical appearance of the cemetery and history preservation.  And that's how the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery was formed.

What you see here at www.friendsofsilverbrook.org owes much to her early work and tenancity.  We spent many hours discussing how the site should be designed and the quality of the uploads.  Many of the photos she uploaded have her signature watermarks on them.

As she got sicker, she was unable to do what she loved, which was to get outside, take pictures and do her research.  Even homebound, she would email corrections and give advice for several years.

We now have several volunteers who are carrying on her work.  

Her funeral service is later today at Halbritter Wickens.

https://www.halbritterfunerals.com/notices/Vickie-Caison

She will be missed.

Bob Nightingale, webmaster

Shane M. Grant
March 10, 1990-Oct. 9, 2017

Shane M. Grant, 27, of Douglasville, Georgia, formerly of Niles, Michigan, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017 in Douglasville.

He was born on March 10, 1990 in Berrien Springs, Michigan to Michael H. and Tasha R. (Heckelsberg) Grant.

Shane was a graduate of Niles High School, class of 2008. Shortly after graduating, Shane enlisted in the U. S. Army and served proudly in the Iraq War. Shane was previously married Jordan M. Clinton and to that union was born a daughter, Haiden M. Grant. After being honorably discharged, Shane went to work as an auto mechanic. This allowed Shane to work in the field he loved. He had a passion for cars and could be found tinkering and fixing things from the time he was a small child. Shane also enjoyed cooking, disc golf, spending hours on YouTube and hiking as a family. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor. Shane’s greatest love and passion was for his daughter. 

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Richard Heckelsberg; his paternal grandmother, Patricia Grant. 

Shane is survived by his daughter, Haiden M. Grant of Georgia; his mother, Tasha R. (Jim) Ketchum of Niles; his father, Micheal Grant of Niles; his maternal grandmother, Beverly Heckelsberg of Niles; a sister, Rachelle (Michael) Myers of Indiana; a niece, Laila Myers; and his former wife, Jordan Grant of Georgia, along with countless cousins and friends. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with a time of visitation beginning two hours prior. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51 of Buchanan Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be in Shane’s memory online at https://www.gofundme.com/shane-grants-going-home or to Brown Funeral Home. 

http://www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com/obituaries/Shane-Grant/#!/Obituary

Ruth E. Sanford 
June 4, 1919 - March 11, 2017

Ruth E. Sanford, 97, passed away on March 11, 2017 in Buchanan, MI. Born June 4, 1919 in Bangor, MI to Byran and Alice Harris. She married Frank J. Neuens in 1935. He preceded her in 1962. She married Oscar Morris of Buchanan in 1963. He preceded her in 1971. She married Roy Sanford in 1973 and he preceded her in 1992. Ruth worked at ParmaLee’s and Montgomery Wards in Niles. She is survived by her two daughters, Alice (Pete) Mohr of Parma, MI, Penney (Marvin) Pruett of Buchanan; one son, L. Gordon (Mary) Neuens of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren. Cremation has taken place. Burial will take place at a later date at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Bonnie Kennedy, of Niles
June 27, 1951-Aug. 25, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:34 am Monday, August 28, 2017

Bonnie Kennedy, 66, of Niles, passed away at Hospice House of South Bend on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017.

Bonnie was born on June 26, 1951, to Fred and Lois (Hadley) Bedford in Pueblo, Colorado. After graduating from high school, Bonnie met Ron Kennedy; the two were inseparable and in October 1969, they wed. In 1971, they moved to Michigan.

Together they had two sons, James and Cale.

Bonnie enjoyed working and she liked to help people and, through her job as office manager at Silverbrook Manor in Niles, she was able to enjoy both of those for more than 20 years before finishing her career at Benchmark, of South Bend.

When she was not working, she could be found at any one of her grandchildren’s sporting events, spending time up north at the family cabin in Irons, or traveling with her husband.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Ron Kennedy; sons, James “Jim” (Melissa) Kennedy of Niles and Cale (Chasity) Kennedy of Niles; grandchildren, Chaise, Gaige, Kadence, and Jade; siblings, Muffet (Paul) LePage of Pueblo, Colorado, Deby Wolf of Pueblo West, Colorado, and Fred (Tami) Bedford of Lafayette, Colorado; and many extended family members and close friends.

Funeral services to celebrate Bonnie’s life will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road, Edwardsburg, with a time of visitation two hours prior.

Bonnie was a regular blood donor for the American Red Cross Blood Bank. Those wishing to make a donation in Bonnie’s memory may do so to their local ARCBB or by donating blood to help those in need

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.

Richard Lee Matthews, of Niles
Jan. 23, 1945-Sept. 1, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:57 am Thursday, October 5, 2017

Richard Lee Matthews, 72, of Niles, died peacefully but unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at his home, of natural causes.

He was born on Jan. 23, 1945, in Niles, to Jess Earl and Laura Elizabeth (Dugan) Matthews. He was graduated from Niles High School, and lived in Niles all of his life.

He began his career at the former Buchanan plant of Clark Equipment, and later became a driver at Kenneth Smith Inc.

Dick was a member of the Michiana Cruisers, and a former member of the Bend of the River Conservation Club. He enjoyed classic cars and riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Tom Matthews who died on Dec. 17, 2000.

Surviving family includes his sister, Patricia (Ken) Lewis of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister-in-law, Gail (Tom) Matthews of Greensboro, Georgia; several nieces and nephews; and a great circle of wonderful friends.

In keeping with the wishes of Richard Matthews, no ceremony will be offered, but all are invited to gather for his burial at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.

halbritterfunerals.com.

Gordon L. Poe, of Niles
Jan. 4, 1931-Sept. 26, 2017

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:55 am Thursday, October 5, 2017

Mr. Gordon L. Poe, 86, of Niles, died at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at Saint Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, following an illness.

He was born on Jan. 4, 1931, in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, to Mr. Shelly Lue and Bertha (Lampson) Poe. He was graduated from the Charleston (Kentucky) High School, and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged as a veteran of the Korean War, and came to Niles as an employee of the National-Standard Corporation for more than 30 years before retiring in 1982.

Gordon was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. He was very active in Freemasonry, as a member of Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F. & A.M., Niles Chapter #332, Order of the Eastern Star, Saint Joseph Valley Chapter #2, Royal Arch Masons, South Bend Commandery #13, Knights Templar, the Niles Shrine Club, and Orak Shrine in Michigan City, Indiana, holding offices in each organization, and volunteering to drive many children to the Shriners Hospital in Chicago.

He was also a member of the American Legion Post #26, Amvets Post 1978, and the Howard Township Conservation Club, where he enjoyed trapshooting. He had golfed on the area leagues, once winning the Niles City Tournament, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also participated in the activities of the Niles Senior Center, enjoyed dancing, and maintained feeding stations for the birds and wildlife in his backyard.

On Jan. 3, 1980, in South Bend, he married the former Katherine A. (Krueger) Elder, with whom he celebrated this year the 37th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Katherine Poe; his son, Ted J. (Beki) Poe of Indianapolis; Kathy’s twins, David (Stacy) Elder of Elkhart, Indiana, and Doreen Bass of Evansville, Indiana; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Poe, Bryan Poe, Katie Elder, and LeRoy Bass III; Gordon’s siblings, Yvonne (R.G.) Johnson of Dawson Springs, Celia Trusler of Panama City, Florida, Lavenue Yeanoplos of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, David Poe of Cadiz, Kentucky, and Bobbie Dickeson of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his siblings, Melvin, Sanarah, Edna, and Naomi.

Mason Rites for Gordon Poe will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles, offered by the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4. Funeral services will follow with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of First Presbyterian Church officiating, and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and taps by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Committal services at Silverbrook Cemetery will be private, at a later date.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday. Contributions in memory of Gordon may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children – Chicago, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707; shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate.

halbritterfunerals.com