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.
Adelbert Shaffer
Feb. 1, 1914-Nov. 29, 1914
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 1, 1914, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for the infant child of Mrs. Delbert Shaffer occurred from the home of the mother, St. Joseph avenue, at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Burial at Silver Brook cemetery.
Charles H. Shockley
1881-May 29, 1945
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 31, 1945, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Pifer funeral home for Charles H. Shockley, 63, of 451 South St. Joseph avenue, who died at 10:30 Monday night in Epworth hospital in South Bend.
A retired mail carrier and more recently engaged in the real estate business, he had been in ill health for several years and his condition had been serious for several weeks.
He was born in Milton township, Cass county and had lived all his life in or near Niles. He was married in 1908 to Rose Gitchell, who survives.
Other survivors include four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Huff, Mrs. Louis Miller, Mrs. Lew Leach, and Mrs. William Bachman, all of Niles, and a brother, George Shockley, of Mishawaka.
He was a member of the Elks lodge in Niles.
The Rev. L. George Beacock officiated at the service and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.
George W. Timmons
1845-Jan. 7, 1887
Niles Republican, Thursday, January 13, 1887, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The community was startled early last Friday morning by the report that Geo. W. Timmons had shot himself, the night before, in a woodshed in rear of F. A. Schmidt's meat market. The report was only too true, for his body was there cold and stiff in death, with a bullet hole through his head. Business reverses had preyed upon his mind until reason was dethroned, hence the tragic ending. He was an ex-city treasurer, was always popular, and many friends are left to deplore his sad ending. He was a Knight Templar, and was buried on Sunday afternoon by the members of the Masonic fraternity, the funeral being largely attended.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 15, 1887, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
The funeral of the late Geo. W. Timmons, under the charge of the Masonic fraternity took place on Sunday last and despite the bitter cold was largely attended by sorrowing friends.
Retha G. Topping
Nov. 4, 1903-July 11, 1977
Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 15, 1977, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
NILES—Retha g. Topping, 73, of 325 Huron St., died Monday at her home following an extended illness.
A retired employe of the Niles Cabinet Co., she was born Nov. 4, 1903 in Fulton, Ind. She had lived here since 1923, coming from Fulton, Ind. Her husband Charles L. Topping, died March 7, 1971.
Survivors include a son, Robert E. Johnson, of Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Liggett Fox of South Bend; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 8 p.m. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Carl D. Trattles
Dec. 5, 1908-July 8, 1977
Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 8, 1977, page 9, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
NILES―Carl D. Trattles, 68, of 2260 N. Fifth St., died at 3 a.m. this morning in Berrien General Hospital after an extended illness.
Mr. Trattles was an retired employe of Radio Distributing Co., in South Bend. He was a U.S. Army veteran from World War II.
He was born on Dec. 5, 1908, in Berrien Springs and spent his lifetime in the area.
On Feb. 20, 1960, he married Mary M. Wendt in Niles. She survives.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call after 2 p.m Sunday at the funeral home.
Vernon Martin
Sept. 7, 1926-May 15, 1945
Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 28, 1945, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Eighteen-year-old Vernon Martin, pharmacist mate third class, was killed in action on Okinawa, according to a Navy Department telegram received Saturday by his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Martin, 1008 Birch street.
The date of his death was not given in the notification.
Martin had returned to action after being hospitalized for wounds suffered on Okinawa on Aug. 11. He had been overseas since August 1944.
Born in Niles on Sept. 7, 1926, Martin attended Niles' schools prior to joint the Navy in September 1943.
Surviving are his mother; two brothers, Donald and David Martin, and five sisters, June, Jean and Doris Martin, Mrs. Edwin Hojara and Mrs. Loris Dewey.
Cpl. Howard D. Nelson
Nov. 16, 1910-April 13, 1945
Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 23, 1945, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library
Cpl. Howard Nelson, 33, was killed in action in Germany on April 13 while serving with the infantry, the War Department Sunday notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson, rural route one.
He was the 57th serviceman from Niles reported killed in the second World War.
A former employe of the Tyler Fixture Corporation, Cpl. Nelson was inducted in the Army in January, 1942. He had been overseas since Feb. 7, 1945. He attended Chicago schools.
