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.

Beall,Willard

Willard Beall
Sept. 1, 1891-Dec. 12, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 13, 1934, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLARD BEALL DIES IN HINES HOSPITAL

War Veteran of Niles Had Been Bedfast Five Years; Funeral Friday

Willard Beall, 43, son of Mrs. Lillian Beall, 958 Hickory street, died Wednesday afternoon at the Edward Hines hospital in Hines, Ill. Mr. Beall, who was a veteran of the World war, had been a patient in the hospital for the last five years.  He enlisted in the United States navy and received his honorable discharge Aug. 28, 1930.  He was a member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Members of both organizations will act as escort at the funeral.

Mr. Beall was born in Dakes, Wash., Sept. 1 1891. He moved with he parents to Niles in 1894, and had been a resident of Niles until five years ago when he entered the hospital.

He leaves his mother, Mrs. Lillian Beall, two sisters, Mrs. Genevieve Porter, Indio, Calif.; Mrs. Will Young, San Antonio, Texas; Mrs. Gladys Williams, Niles; and four brothers, Lloyd Beall, Detroit; Irl Beall, Alameda, Calif., and Harold and Merilyn Beall, Niles.

The body will be brought to Niles in the Price and Kiger funeral car. Friends of the family may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home after 12 o'clock Friday. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the funeral home.  The Rev. H. L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Bowerman, Mary Ida

Mary Ida Bowerman
Dec. 1, 1861-Dec. 11, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 11, 1934, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT DIES

Mrs. Mary Ida Bowerman, 73, died at 9:30 o'clock this morning at her home west of Buchanan. She was a lifelong resident of this vicinity and spent most of her life in Niles, moving to the farm near Buchanan only a few years ago.

Mrs. Bowerman was born in Coloma, Mich., Dec. 1, 1861. She leaves her husband, Henry, two sons, Lyle, at home and Ray, Niles, also one daughter, Mrs. Carl Longenecker, Niles.

Funeral services will be held at the Price and Kiger funeral chapel Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home Wednesday and prior to the hour of the funeral Thursday.

 

Dodge, U.S.

U.S. Dodge
Dec. 19, 1814-May 3, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 10, 1900, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF MR. U.S. DODGE

Was Personally Known to all Our People by Whom He Was Highly Respected.

U.S. Dodge, formerly of this city, died yesterday afternoon at the Wright House in Alma, Mich., the cause of death being illness predisposed by old age.  Deceased was 87 years of age and had been for many years the genial proprietor of the Pike House, in this city.  He was for many years a prominent citizen here, moving to Alma, about a year ago, where his son-in-law J.M. Ford, is manager of the Wright House.

Mr. Dodge was a member of the St. Joe Valley Lodge No. 4, F.& A.M., in good standing, of which lodge he had been a member for the past 50 years. He leaves a wife and one daughter, Mrs. J.N. Ford, to mourn his death.

The remains will arrive here tomorrow at noon, and under Masonic escort will be taken to Silver Brook cemetery where interment will take place.  The Masonic ritual will be read at the graveside.

Note:  Per Death record, Mr. Dodge was 85y 4m 14d at date of death on May 3, 1900.

Fowler, Eliza Jane (Westervelt)

Eliza Jane Fowler 
July 14, 1832-Aug. 10, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, August 16, 1900, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Mrs. Eliza J. Fowler took place this afternoon at five o'clock from the late residence at the corner Broadway and Third streets, the Rev. Lowrie officiating with a very impressive ceremony. The remains were quietly laid to rest in Silver Brook cemetery.

Note:  Maiden name. DOB and DOD from Michigan Death Records

Graham, Esther

Esther Graham
May 24, 1912-Dec. 22, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 22, 1934, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

ESTHER GRAHAM DIES SUDDENLY IN NIGHT

Girl Clerk in Kawneer Office Ill only Few Hours With Cerebral Tumor

After an illness of only a  few hours, Miss Esther Graham, 323 Broadway, died at Pawating hospital early this morning from the effects of a cerebral tumor.  Miss Graham was stricken suddenly early in the evening and rushed to he hospital where efforts of physicians proved fruitless. Her father and mother, summoned from Hillsdale, were unable to reach Niles before her death. Her father is manger of the telephone exchange in Hillsdale.

Miss Graham had been a resident of Niles since April of this year. She came from the family home in Hillsdale to accept a position as billing clerk int eh offices of the Kawneer company. She was employed in this capacity at the time of her death.

Besides her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Graham, Hillsdale, Miss Graham is survived by a brother and sister, Max Graham and Miss Mary Graham, both of Niles; her grandmother, Mrs. Ella Simonds, and an aunt, Mrs. H.O. Parke, both of Niles. She also leaves several other uncles and aunts. She was born in Hillsdale, May 24, 1912.

The body was taken to the home of her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. H.O Parker, 410 Cedar street, where friends may call prior to the hour of the funeral, Monday at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon. The Christian Science service will be read at that time by Mrs. Ila Wheeler.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Johnson, Bridget (Fitzgerald)

Bridget Johnson 
Feb. 4, 1828-May 14, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 17, 1900, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. B.I. JOHNSON DEAD.

Another Old Settler Passes Away After a Long Illness.

Mrs. B.I. Johnson, an old resident of this city, died this morning, about 5:30 o'clock, after a prolonged illness of many months. Deceased was born in Kilkenney County, Ireland, seventy years ago, and came to his country when about 18 years old, settling at Troy, New York, where she resided until her marriage, when she came to this city about 45 years ago.

She was the mother of seven children, two of whom are living, a son, Calvin R. Johnson, a Michigan Central engineer residing at Jackson and a daughter, Mrs. S.S. Baker, who resided with her mother. She also leaves a brother, Mr. Fitzgerald and a sister Mrs. Kate Frances, both of this city.

Deceased had been a patient sufferer during her long illness and she had the tender love and care of an affectionate daughter.  The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at the late resident at three o'clock.  Interment in Silver Brook cemetery.

Note:  DOB and maiden name from Michigan Death Certificate

 

Morris, Margaret (Burt)

Margaret Morris 
April, 1850-May 12, 1900

Niles Republican, Thursday, May 17, 1900, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

WITHOUT WARNING

Mrs. Margaret Morris is Summoned Into Eternity.

DEATH COMES SUDDENLY

Deceased was Seen on Main Street Friday Night and was Apparently in Good Health

Considerable excitement was caused Saturday when the report became current to the effect that Mrs. Margaret Morris dropped dead at the Pike House.  While this report was exaggerated in a degree, the circumstances in connection with her sudden demise are very distressing.

It seems that Mrs. Morris had been working in the Warren Featherbone factory at Three Oaks, for the past couple of weeks and came home last evening to visit relatives.

She arrived here at 8:35 o'clock and bout 9 o'clock went the Pike House and was shown to a room. Abut 3 o'clock this morning Mrs. Doliver heard an outcry and proceeded to the room occupied by Mrs. Morris, whom she asked if there was anything wrong. Mrs. Morris replied that she was unaware that she had called out and, in reply to another query, said that there was nothing wanted. Mrs. Doliver then left her and all was quite until this morning when Mrs. Doliver again approached Mrs. Morris' room, as she had failed to appear for breakfast.

Mrs. Doliver entered the room and found that the occupant thereof was in a dying condition. Dr. A.G. Willits of Michigan City, Ind., who happened to be a guest of the house, was at once called, but his patient was beyond human aid and she expired a moment after the doctor entered the room.

. . .[illegible] . .for, arrived shortly after she had passed away.

Mrs. Morris was afflicted with organic heart trouble and epilepsy, and this complication of troubles at last proved fatal.

Justice White was called and a jury was impanneled and was later discharged as it was clear that she died from natural causes

SKETCH OF HER LIFE

Mrs. Margaret Morris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Burt, was born in Essex county, N.J., 50 years ago, and had resided in this city for many years. She was the wife of the late Chas. Morris, who died at Lawrence, Kans., five years ago.

She is survived by a mother, who resides in West Niles, and five brothers, as follows:  Steward, William and Elijah, of this city; Andrew, of Birmingham, Alabama; Alexander, of Disco, Ill., and Edward, of Omaha, Neb.

The remains were taken to the home of the mother of the deceased, from which place the funeral will be held on tomorrow at 1 o'clock.

Note:  DOD from Michigan Death Certificate