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.

Astley, William

William Astley
August 10, 1877-July 23, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 24, 1935, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM ASTLEY, 56, M.C. EMPLOYE, DIES

Resident of Niles for 19 Years

Succumbs at University Hospital

William Astley, 56 years old, a car inspector for the Michigan Central railroad, died Tuesday night in the University of Michigan hospital at Ann Arbor, after a prolonged illness.  His body was returned to the Rutherford funeral home here today in the Rutherford ambulance.

Mr. Astley was born in London, England, and came to Niles from Kewanee, Mich. 19 years ago.  He leaves his wife, Louise, and four children, Vernon, of Niles; Robert, of Hartford, Mich.; Mrs. Dorothy Blanken, New York City, and Miss Alice Astley, of Niles.

Mr. Astley was a member of the Elks lodge, the United Spanish-American War Veterans and the Brotherhood of Railroad Carmen of America.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Friends of the family may call at the Rutherford funeral home.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 25, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  ASTLEY RITES FRIDAY

Funeral services for William Astley, 56, who died in the University hospital at Ann Arbor Tuesday night will be held at the Rutherford funeral chapel Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will officiate and the services at Silverbrook cemetery will be conducted by the Spanish War Veterans, of which Mr. Astley was a member.

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 27, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  ASTLEY RITES FRIDAY

Services for William Astley, Michigan Central railroad employe who died Tuesday night in the University hospital at Ann Arbor, were held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford funeral chapel. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, officiated.  Services at the grave were conducted by the United Spanish War Veterans assisted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Mr. Astley's sister, Mrs. Edward Clubner, of Toledo, O., and Mr. Clubner, were in Niles to attend the services.  Pallbearers were C.B. Bisby, George Harmison, Frank Jann, Allen Morehouse, John Papal and Carl Shouder.

 

Note: DOB from WWI Draft Registration record; death record only has approx. year.  

Barker, Oliver

Oliver Barker
Nov. 22, 1864-Dec. 21, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 21, 1951; page 2, col. 2, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Orville Barker, of near Niles, died at 5:30 a.m. today in the Berrien county infirmary at Berrien Center.  He had been an infirmary patient since 1941.

Surviving are one son, Charles of Berrien Center, and two brothers, Samuel and Shelby Barker, both of Frankfort, Ind.

Barker was born on Nov. 22, 1864, in Indiana.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later.

Note:  Cemetery records and Michigan Death record have first name as Oliver.

 

Benjamin, Electa J.

Electa J. Benjamin
Sept. 18, 1911-June 15, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 15, 1935, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Electa Benjamin Called by Death

Miss Electa J. Benjamin, 116 South Fifteenth street, died early this morning at Caro, Mich.  She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Jessie Benjamin; five brothers, Clarence, Allen and Robert of Niles, Earl, South Bend,and Charles Benjamin, Cassopolis; and two sisters, Florence and Deborah Benjamin, Niles.

The body will be brought to the Rutherford funeral home tonight.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 17, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Services Held Today For Electa Benjamin

Funeral services were held today for Electa J. Benjamin, 116 South Fifteenth street, who died in Caro, Mich., Saturday, after a two-week's illness.

Miss Benjamin was born in Niles Sept. 18, 1911, and had lived here all her life. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal church. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Jessie Benjamin; five brothers, Clarence, Allen and Robert, of Niles, Earl, South Bend, and Charles, of Cassopolis, and two sisters, Florence and Deborah, of Niles.

The Rev. H.L Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, officiated at the services today and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Berg, Lillian J.

Mrs. Lillian J. Berg
Sept. 27, 1893-Oct. 26, 1951

Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 26, 1951; page 2, col. 1, microfilm, Niles District Library from K. Alton

Mrs. Lillian J. Berg, 58 of Indian lake, died at 12:45 a.m. today in Pawating hospital after an illness of four days.  Her husband, Charles survives.

Mrs. Berg was born Sept. 27, 1893 in Chicago.  She came to Indian lake 10 years ago from Chicago.  

She is also survived by a son, Charles R. Berg, Buchanan, one brother and sister, Melvin Schive, and Mrs. William Brodersen, of Chicago and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Kiger funeral home, Niles, with the Rev. T. M. Greenhoe, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery Niles.

 

Bonner, Barbara Etta

Barbara Etta Bonner
May 23, 1933-Feb. 18, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 19, 1935, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Bonner Child's Rites to Be Held Wednesday

Barbara Etta Bonner, one year and eight months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.A. Bonner, died late Monday afternoon at the home of her parents, 709 Ferry street. She leaves three sisters, Mrs. Burr Smith, Niles; Mrs. Richard Reed, Sturgis, and Ora Lee Bonner, Niles; and five brothers, Willard, Lewis, Calvin, Robert and Richard, all at home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at the Troost funeral home at 2:30 o'clock. The Rev. Walter Carpenter, of the Church of Christ Bend[sic], South Bend, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 20, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: BONNER FUNERAL TODAY

Services for Barbara Etta Bonner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.A. Bonner, 709 Ferry street, were held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Troost and Turner funeral home.  The Rev. Walter Carpenter of the Church of Christ Band, South Bend, officiated.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Note:  DOB from Michigan Death record.

Chambers, Walter

Walter Chambers
July 1886- Feb. 25, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 26, 1935, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Ex-Resident Dies in Milwaukee

Walter Chambers, former Niles resident, died Sunday night in Milwaukee, after a brief illness of pneumonia.  His body will be brought to Niles today and will be taken to the Price and Kiger funeral home, where services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Mr. Chambers was a brother of Robert Chambers, 542 Cherry street, and a cousin of Edward Bunbury, R.F.D. No. 3, Niles.  Mrs. Chambers will accompany the body of her husband to Niles.

 

Note: No DOB in cemetery record and did not find Wisconsin death records online.  Walter S. Chambers, dob, July 1886, in household of Walter H. and Ella Chambers in Niles in 1900 Census. 

 

Clatterbuck, Carl

Carl Clatterbuck
Nov. 26, 1892-June 15, 1935

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 15, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Carl Clatterbuck Dies at Noon Today

Carl Clatterbuck, 223 North Fifth street, died at noon today in Pawating hospital following an operation performed last Monday for stomach trouble.

He had been employed by the Schoolcraft Sheet Metal Works. Last Monday he was taken to Pawating hospital and underwent an operation.  He continued to decline until his death at noon today.

The body was taken to the Rutherford Funeral Home.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 18, 1935, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  VETERAN'S RITES TODAY

Funeral services for Carl Clatterbuck, World war veteran, were held this afternoon in the Rutherford funeral chapel, the Rev. James Goodman, of the First Baptist church, officiating.