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.

Phillips, Richard E.

Richard E. Phillips, 83, of Niles
Feb. 28, 1930 — Nov. 2, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:28pm Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Richard E. Phillips, age 83 years of Niles, Michigan passed away with his daughters Carol Jean Beavo and Tamela Phillips at his bedside at 12:58 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 at the Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center, Michigan following an extended illness.

Prior to his retirement Richard was employed as a manager at the former MAB Store and also at the former National Food Store in Niles.

Richard enjoyed painting, woodworking and gardening. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, was a member of American Legion Post #26 in Niles, and of the Barron Lake Association.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey Phillips on Nov. 10, 2009.

No public services will be offered. Burial was completed at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Richard may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Sherman, Ida May

Ida May Sherman, 78, of Niles
May 15, 1935 —  October 30, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:13pm Sunday, November 3, 2013

Ida May Sherman, 78, of Niles, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend on Wednesday, Oct. 30th, 2013 with her family surrounding her, following a lengthy illness.
Ida was born to the late Russell and Violet (Ickes) Myers in Sidman, Pennsylvania on May 15, 1935.
After graduating from high school, Ida wed Gene Sherman on June 20, 1953 in Pennsylvania.
She was an avid quilter and belonged to several quilting groups in the area. Ida also loved to go antiquing and there wasn’t a garage sale around that didn’t beckon her to stop. Love of family coursed through every fiber of Ida’s being; her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild knew no limits to Ida’s love. Always a happy person, Ida was always smiling.
Preceding Ida in death are her parents and a brother Neil Myers.
She is survived by her husband Gene of Niles, her three sons; Russell Sherman of Bradenton, Fla., Ronald (Ruth) Sherman, of West Bloomfield, Mich. and Robert (Keely Weir) Sherman of Mishawaka, Ind., her six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She will also be missed by her sister, Judy Slonac of Pennsylvania, and her two brothers David (Marge) Myers of Illinois and Bill (Carol) Myers of Pennsylvania.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Ida can be made to American Kidney Foundation 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
A time of visitation for Ida will be at Brown Funeral Home on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 from 4-6 p.m. with the funeral service Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Niles. Ida will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Cox, Linda (Vanderpool)

Linda Cox, 66, of Niles
March 23, 1947 — Oct. 22, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:52am Friday, October 25, 2013

Linda Cox, 66, of Niles passed away at Lakeland Hospital in Niles on October 22, 2013 with her family by her side.

Cox
Cox

She was born to the late Beckham and Gertrude (Wallen) Vanderpool in Garrett, Kentucky on March 23, 1947.

Linda married Robert Cox at a ceremony in Niles, Michigan on July 7, 1984.

A woman who enjoyed the simple things in life, Linda loved raising her birds, enjoyed gardening and making crafts.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband, and five brothers; Glenn Vanderpool, David Vanderpool, Bruce Vanderpool, Everett Vanderpool, and James Vanderpool.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Melinda Corroto and her son, John Jordan both of Niles. She is also survived by her sister Juanita Salisbury of Jackson, Michigan and brother Charles (Brenda) Vanderpool of Litchfield, Michigan.

Services for Linda will be Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10 o’clock in the morning with visitation beginning one hour prior. Services will be held at Brown Funeral Home.

Condolences, photos, and memories can be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Quick, Bobby Wayne

Bobby Wayne Quick, 60, of Niles
Sept. 18, 1953-Nov. 11, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:24am Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Bobby Wayne Quick, age 60 years of Niles died at 12:07 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013 at the Regional Burn Center at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich. following an accident.

He was born on Sept. 18, 1953 in Gideon, Missouri to Elgy R. and Eva Joyce (Williams) Quick. As a two year-old, he came with his parents to Niles, and was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived there the rest of his life.

He was a heavy equipment operator, first employed at Jim Bennick’s, and then at Selge Construction, and retired from the City of Buchanan.

Bobby always enjoyed owning and riding horses, and kept his own stable. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening, and was a fan of the University of Notre Dame football team.

Surviving family includes his mother, Eva Joyce Quick of Niles; and his sisters, Sheila (Terry) Humphrey of Niles, Patrician (Mark) McCready of Granger, Indiana, and Robin (Mike) McKeel of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elgy Quick.

The funeral service for Bobby Wayne Quick will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Don Fleischman of Fairland Christian Church in Niles officiating. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Bobby may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Alford, William F.

William F. Alford, 90, of Niles
Aug. 28, 1923 — Nov. 11, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:11am Tuesday, November 12, 2013

William F. Alford, 90 of Niles passed to his rest on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2013 at his home surrounded and being cared for by his family.

Alford
Alford

William was born in Gipson County, Tenn. on Aug. 28, 1923 to the late Charles and Martha “Mattie” (Bell) Alford.

On Oct. 11, 1941 William wed Betty Lou Shau and they enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage. William enlisted and served his country proudly in the United States Army. After Betty Lou’s passing William again found love and companionship in Florence Kuhl and they wed Nov. 21, 2010.

Anyone who knew William understood what a determined and driven man he was. He strove every day to be successful in any endeavor he put his mind to. He was instrumental in starting the National Association of Franchisees for Kentucky Fried Chicken, and then went on to serve for more than 50 years. Not only was he involved with a national organization, he believed strongly in community, serving as a former director of the First National Bank of Niles, he donated the land for the Riverfront Park, contributed to both the war memorial and also the new YMCA. He was a Lifetime Member of the American Legion Post No. 26, a former president of the Chamber of Commerce, was a Mason and was also involved with the Shriners. Even though his involvement was far reaching his passion was his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud father and a doting grandfather; nothing made William happier than being surrounded by family.

He was preceded by his parents, his wife, Betty Alford, his daughter, Martha Lou Rudoni, and his brother Cleo Alford.

He is survived by his second wife, Florence of Niles, his son William (Nancy) Alford of Niles, two step-sons, Greg (Jennifer) Stoops and Mark (Rebecca) Stoops both of Niles, eight grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his caretakers, Diana Brooks and Jim Reed.

Services for William will be Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 1 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery with military honors. Pastor Jim Wing will be officiating.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the First Baptist Church, 1446 East Main Street, Niles, Mich. 49120.

Photos, condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Phillips, Juanita (Schrader)

Juanita Phillips, 79, of Niles
March 13, 1934 — Nov. 12, 2013

Niles Daily Start, Published 7:35am Thursday, November 14, 2013

Juanita Phillips, age 79 years, of Niles, Michigan died at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 at her home following an extended illness.

Phillips
Phillips

She was born on March 13, 1934 in Niles to Albert and Grace (Brubaker) Schrader. She was graduated from Niles High School, and lived here all of her life. She was employed for many years by Niles Community Schools as the secretary at the former Central Elementary School, and later assisted her husband at the Farm Bureau Agency in Cassopolis, Michigan.

Juanita was a member of the First Baptist Church of Niles, and was very active “behind the scenes” especially with interior decorating. She enjoyed traveling including several international destinations, and quilting, sewing, painting in all media, flower gardening, and watching and feeding the wildlife in her yard. Her greatest interest was her family, who she loved.

On Aug. 30, 1952 in her parents’ yard she married Lodner C. Phillips with whom she celebrated the sixtieth anniversary just months prior to his death earlier this year on January 23, 2013.

Surviving family includes their children, Vicki (& Mick) Kidwell of Niles and Patrick (& Jody) Phillips of Edwardsburg, Michigan; grandchildren Michael P. (& Kellie) Kidwell, Adam (& Hannah) Kidwell, Kyle Kidwell, Ryan P. (& Karen) Phillips, Julianne Phillips, and Alexandra Phillips; great-grandchildren Raegan Joanne Kidwell, Cameron Michael Kidwell, and Sydney Rose Kidwell; and Juanita’s sisters, Edith Snyder and Emma Jean Schrumpf, both of Niles, and brother, Robert (& Dixie) Schrader of South Bend, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by brothers Lawrence, Peter, and Richard Schrader and sister, Virginia Stover.

The funeral service for Juanita Phillips will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Wing of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Juanita may be made to the First Baptist Church, or to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Harding, Colombe Flora

Colombe F. Harding, 100, of Niles
May 19, 1913-Nov. 17, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:06pm Sunday, November 17, 2013

Harding
Harding

Colombe F. Harding, 100, of Niles passed away, after an extended illness, with her family by her side.

On May 19, 1913 Colombe Flora Tessier was born in Embrum, Ontario to the late Philias and Eva (Hebert) Tessier.

After graduating from high school Colombe was swept off her feet by Roy Joseph Harding. At a ceremony in Millerton, New York Colombe and Roy exchanged vows and on May 19, 1934 became husband and wife.

A very talented woman, Colombe enjoyed creating many oil paintings and also ceramics. For many years she was also a part of the Sweet Adeline’s and one of her favorite melodies was “You Are My Sunshine.” Another of Colombe’s delights was the time she spent with Roy on their long strolls, and if by chance there was a yard sale nearby, Colombe was frequently seen perusing the items.

She was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband, her son Roy Harding, five brothers, Charles Tessier, Eugene Tessier, Raymond Tessier, Donald Tessier, and Henry Tessier. Colombe is also preceded by her three sisters, Salange Archer, Gloria McAvoy and Janette Walter and two very special companions, her cat, Misty Rose and her dog, Beaut.

Colombe will be deeply missed by her daughter, Lorraine Harding and special friend Faith Orem, two sisters, Yvonne Tessier of Chester, Pennsylvania and Theresa Wilson of Ft. Myers, Fla. and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013 at Brown Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. with services following at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father David Otto.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Colombe may do so to the St. Mary Food Pantry.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.