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.
Shirley Mae Fender Lohse was born on March 15, 1941, in Niles, Michigan, to Earle Duane and Margaret Lucille Sutter Smith. She passed away August 8, 2023.
Memorial Service will be held September 9, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 830 E Plaza Circle, Litchfield Park, Arizona.
Andrea Lea Ether
February 8, 1957 — October 30, 2023
Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home
Andrea Lea Ether, age 66 years of Niles, Michigan; wife, mother, grandmother, sister, homeschooler, quilter, and follower of Jesus Christ died peacefully Monday evening, October 30, 2023 with her family gathered at her bedside at her home following an extended illness.
She was born on February 8, 1957 in Elkhart, Indiana to Glen E. and Carol M. (Thomas) Staples and was graduated from Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana. She continued her education at Anderson (Indiana) College (now Anderson University) where she earned a bachelors degree, and at Indiana University, earning a Master of Science degree in Public Relations. She began a career in Human Resources in the offices of Holy Cross Health Systems, and later at Bendix Aerospace.
While in that H.R. office at Bendix, the young engineer, Russ Ether came to Miss Staples with a workplace concern on which they agreed. They agreed in a few other areas, and on June 13, 1987 at Madeline Bertrand County Park in Niles she married Russell N. Ether, with whom she celebrated last June the thirty-sixth anniversary of their wedding.
Her true life’s work was at home, as a full-time homemaker, housekeeper, and Mom, successfully homeschooling her three children. Having done so and sent them off to college, she re-entered the workforce, in the offices of Press-Ganey Associates for a few years before retirement.
Andi was a member of the Community Evangelical Free Church – CEFC – in Niles where she also led a Comfort Quilts ministry. She enjoyed worship music, would sing in choirs at CEFC, and sang with her daughters. The quilt ministry was a natural extension of the quilting and sewing room at her home from where many relatives and friends were blessed with her loving art. She was a fan of the University of Notre Dame Football team, best enjoyed in the company of friends at a watch party for televised games.
Surviving family includes her husband, Russ Ether and their children, Emily (& Chad) Waddington of Dayton, Ohio, April Ether of Mishawaka, and Jonathan Ether of Mishawaka; grandson, Liam Waddington; and Andi’s sister, Cristi Staples of Granger, Indiana, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her siblings, Kim Staples and Brett Staples.
The Memorial Service for Andi Ether will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Community Evangelical Free Church, 120 East Bertrand Road, south of Niles, with family friend, Larry G. Barrett officiating. Andi’s family gathered privately on Thursday for interment at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at:
Andi clearly loved life, and loved the people in her life, caring for the employees at her companies, caring for folks needing the comfort of a quilt, and caring for her children and her husband; always mindful that God loved her first.
Wayne VanDyke
1943-Oct. 4, 2021
Obituary
Wayne Frederick Van Dyke, 78, of Statesville and formerly of Niles, Mich., died Monday, Oct. 4, at Maple Leaf Healthcare. Wayne worked for Clark Equipment and he is survived by his wife, Shirley Payton Van Dyke. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.
Published by Statesville (N.C.) Record & Landmark on Oct. 5, 2021.
Shirley Van Dyke
November 15, 1943 — July 9, 2023
Published on website of Nicholson Funeral Home
Shirley Ann Payton VanDyke died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, sharing memories, on July 9, 2023, at the age of 79.
She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 15, 1943, to the late Howard Shirley Payton and Emma Gurtrude Callahan Woodard. Shirley stayed home to raise her children then worked in a couple restaurants, Bali for several years, then two nursing homes after retiring.
Shirley loved working in the yard and keeping her garden up, and enjoyed and made a big deal of family get-togethers, she knew family was very important to her and she also loved going to the beach.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death two years ago, by her husband of 53 years, Wayne VanDyke, a daughter, Terry Lawson and a sister, Sheila Robbins.
Those left to honor her memory include her children, Jeffery Buck, Rodney Buck (Marla), Patricia Roberts (Rodney), grandchildren, Gwendolyn Browning (Johnathan), Jessica Cash (Camrick), Bradley Buck (Jody), Kyle Buck, Emily Buck, Kelly Buck, Katherine Flory (Paul), Jenna Roberts, and numerous great-grandchildren, whom she enjoyed spending time with, as well as her well-loved dog Silas, who was with her through everything.
At her request, there will be no formal services held.
Memorials may be given to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th St., Suite 609, New York, NY 10036 or at bcrf@bcrf.org or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2341 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625.
Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to serve the VanDyke family.
Arlene Ruth Euler
May 18, 1938-May 30, 2023
Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services
Arlene Ruth Euler, 85, of Niles passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Arlene was born on May 18, 1938, to the late Homer and Dorothy (Fink) Downs in LaPorte, Indiana. After graduating from high school Arlene married the love of her life, Norman Euler.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and siblings.
Arlene is survived by many nieces and nephews including Ron Barnhart, jeffrey Hagenow, James Hagenow and Linda Armijo.
Arlene has been cremated and will be interred next to her husband at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Lynn Schweinzger
June 16, 1954 — June 20, 2023
Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website
Lynn Schweinzger died peacefully on June 20, 2023 at 9:28am at Green Acres Assisted Living where she resided for the past year. Lynn was born on June 16, 1954 to Jack and Charlotte Schweinzger. She lived her whole life in Niles and was known by many people. After graduating from Niles High School she attended Andrews University for one year in the food service department. Lynn held various jobs over the years, that included hotel housekeeping, a helper of the elderly, and a McDonald’s food service worker.
Lynn was faced with many challenges throughout her life. She had cognitive challenges, scoliosis, was a breast cancer survivor, and most recently endured a lung disease over the last five years. She was able to live independently until she needed to move into Brentwood of Niles in February of 2022.
Last July she moved to Green Acres Assisted Living of Allendale, in the greater Grand Rapids area, to be closer to family. While Lynn never drove, she walked and rode her bike all over the Niles area. She enjoyed being a member of the Eagles Lodge where she spent many hours and always looked forward to her birthday mug of beer. She had fun participating in hometown festivities such as the raft race, and even ran for Apple Festival Queen once. She participated in the Special Olympics many times. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and later moved to the United Methodist church, where she engaged in many activities. Lynn graduated with the class of 1974 and loved being a part of the reunion planning committees and attending the reunions.
Lynn was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Charlotte and Al Southworth, her father and step-mother, Jack and Phyllis Schweinzger, and her step-sister Debbie Southworth. She is survived by her brother Eric (Jane) Schweinzger, sister Sara (Daryll) Atkinson, step-brother Mike Southworth, step-sister Genna Southworth, half-brother Bill Schweinzger and half-sister Kelley Schweinzger. Lynn had 11 nephews and nieces and 12 great nephews and nieces. She dearly loved them and cherished the time spent with them. She frequently wore the sweatshirt that had all their hand prints on it. They fondly remember her great laugh, times spent with her playing games, going to movies, and receiving her annual Christmas cards with money or McDonald’s certificates.
The funeral service for Lynn Schweinzger will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023 at the New Journey United Methodist Church, 302 Cedar Street in Niles with Pastor Michael Southworth, retired of Cornerstone Community Church in Hobart, Indiana, and step-brother of Lynn officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Contributions in memory of Lynn may be made to Faith Hospice, 2100 Raybrook Street SE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546, https://faithhospicecare.org/; or to Green Acres Allendale, 11289 Commerce Drive, Allendale, Michigan, 49401, https://www.rlmgmt.com/green-acres-allendale/. Online condolences may be left at:
Lynn will be remembered for her fun loving sense of humor, her joyful spirit, and her kindness to all. No matter what life threw at her, she always maintained a positive attitude and endured with grace. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
MARY LOUISE JOHNSON
June 24. 1921—May 21, 2023
Mary Louise Johnson of Edwardsburg, Michigan, died May 21 at the age of 101 surrounded by her family.
She was born June 24, 1921, to William McKinney and Aura (Barr) McKinney, and lived in the Niles and Edwardsburg area for most of her life. On November 27, 1944, she was united in marriage to Theodore Johnson in Anaheim, CA, where he was stationed on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Ted passed away on May 6, 1987. Surviving are their children: Mary Kathleen Addis of Amsterdam, NL; Theodore Gregory Johnson of South Bend, IN; Kenton Johnson of Brighton, MI; Kevin (Kathy) Johnson of Stevensville, MI; Jeyn Johnstone of Niles, MI; and Carol Johnson Elliot of Mishawaka, IN. She also is survived by eight devoted grandchildren: Beth Massa (Michael), Sara Barany Davis (Tony), Ryan Johnson, Krystal Johnson Hubbard, Kenton Scott Johnson (Olivia), Erin Elliot Rood (Dan), Robert Alexander Elliot (Brooke) and Christopher Samuel Elliot. Mary had seven great-grandchildren.
Family members preceding her in death include her parents, her beloved husband Ted, sister Aura Marjorie Robbins, sister Ella Ridinger, brother Earl Worrell, daughter-in-law Janet Burke-Johnson and granddaughter, Krystal's husband, Jacob Hubbard.
Mary was employed for 19 years as the office secretary for the Edwardsburg Elementary School. As" Mrs. Johnson", she was regularly warmly greeted around town by former students, teachers and colleagues for many years after her retirement. Unfailingly kind, selfless and a patient listener, she especially adored her grandchildren who will remember her love of reading, family get-togethers, Lake Michigan, watching tennis, cheering for Michael Jordan, Ked sneakers, spice drops and a never-empty candy jar.
There will be no services or visitation. The Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home in Edwardsburg, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary's Johnson's memory to the Cass County District Library Edwardsburg Branch, 26745 Church Street, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112.