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.

Moody, Tyree H.

Tyree H. Moody, 77, of Niles
March 6, 1936-Sept. 24, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 1:09pm Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Tyree H. Moody, 77 years old of Niles, Michigan went to be with the Lord, Tuesday September 24, 2013, at home surrounded by his family, following an illness.

Moody
Moody

He was born on March 6, 1936 in Trenton, Tennessee to Alvin and Kathrine (Brown) Moody. He has lived in Niles since 1956, moving to the area with his wife, the former Annie LaFaye “Faye” McAlister, just two weeks after their wedding in Corinth, Mississippi. Tyree was employed by the former Tyler Refrigeration for forty-three years, before retiring in 2000. In 1968, he began working as a reserve officer for the Buchanan Police Department and the Berrien County Sheriff Department, and was a member of the National Guard in both Tennessee and Michigan. Tyree was Constable of the First Ward for 2 terms in the city of Niles. He also owned the former Standard Service Station at Fulkerson & Eleventh Streets, worked as a security guard at the Niles Library, and he had a gun and snow plowing business.

Tyree had been a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Niles since 1956. He was also very active in Freemasonry as a member of the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F.& A.M., the 32ndº Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, the Saladin Temple of Grand Rapids, President of the Niles Shrine Club and member of the South Bend Shrine Club, and a member of the Orak Temple Shrine Center of Michigan City. He joined the Masons in 1967, and became a Shriner and Scottish Rites in 1977. Tyree became a lifetime member of the Blue Lodge of the Saint Joseph Valley #4 in 1976. He was a 32nd° Mason of the Valley of South Bend Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Saladin Temple in Grand Rapids. In 2012, he was Mason of the year. He was the current President of the Niles Shrine Club, and a member of the Orak Temple, and of the South Bend Shrine Club. Tyree was a part of the transport team from Niles and South Bend Shrine Clubs that drove children to the Shriner’s Hospital and the Burn Centers, and he enjoyed performing with the Berrien County Shriners’mini bikes parade team.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the Bend of the River Conservation Club.

In addition to his wife, Faye, surviving family includes his daughters Carol (& Chris) King and Jodie (& Trent) Nichols, all of Niles; grandchildren Angie (& Toby) Mann, Amy (& Andy) Chodzinski, Autumn and Amber Moody; and great-grandchildren Blake and Kyle Mann; brother Acie (& Pat) Moody, sister Hazel Farley, sister Gladys (& William) Gordon, and sister-in-law Wanda Hall, all of Tennessee.

Tyree was preceded in death by James Moody, Geneva Hassel, John Moody, Archie Moody, Marie Runyan, Norman Moody, Ruby Moody, and Mary Ann Moody.

Funeral Services for Tyree Moody will be held at 2:00p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2013 at Bethel Baptist Church in Niles with Rev. Randy Pearman of the church, and Pastor Garland Rhodes of Portage Road General Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-8:00p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home and will conclude with the Masonic Funeral Rites beginning at 8:00p.m. by the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F. & A.M.

Contributions in memory of Tyree may be made to Bethel Baptist Church in Niles or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Renbarger, Betty Ann (Klug)

Betty Ann Renbarger, 76
April 15, 1936-Nov. 29, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:23pm Sunday, December 2, 2012

Betty Ann Renbarger, 76, of Baldwin Drive, Niles, died on Thursday, Nov.29, 2012, at her home following an extended illness. She was born April 15, 1936, in Berrien Springs to Harry and Tillie (Hebner) Klug.

Renbarger

Betty owned and operated The Sandpiper Beauty Salon, from which she retired in 2008. Betty enjoyed sewing craft, her flower garden, bird watching and boating.  She was a NASCAR fan; #24.

Betty is survived by daughter Julie Miars, of Niles, a son, Jeff Renbarger, of Plano, Texas, grandchildren, Jessica (Chris) Millar, Melissa (Jim) Kennedy, Rebecca (Rodney) Leneway, Brian (Tara) Renbarger, Kelly Good, Kyle Davey and Marsia Davey; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Edna Mitchell, of Fountain; brothers, Herman (Thelma) Klug, of Buchanan, and Emil (Yvonne) Klug of Statesville, N.C., a daughter-in-law, Marti (Young-Renbarger) Vicari, of Niles; and a special friend, Earl Dean Williams, of Niles.

She was preceded in death by a son, Mike Renbarger, who died Jan. 2, 2009; her husband, Kenneth “Doc” Renbarger; her father, Harry Klug; her mother, Tillie Klug Heyn; and a stepfather, Edgar Heyn.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

The family will gather privately for services.

A memorial luncheon will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 2390 Lake St., Niles. Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Hospice at Home, Buchanan. www.halbritterfunerals.com

Karns, Paul L.

Paul L. Karns, Jr., 76, of Niles
Nov. 4, 1934-Sept. 16, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:13pm Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Paul L. Karns, Jr., age 76 years of Niles, Michigan died at 9:50 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2013 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born on November 4, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana to Paul L. and Ethel (Amick) Karns, Sr. He was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in this area all of his life. He was employed for thirty years at the former Tyler Refrigeration plant in Niles.

Paul was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the United States Navy. He enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing, and mushroom hunting.

On June 27, 1959 at the Berrien Springs Baptist Church he married the former Opal Jewel Short with whom he celebrated last June the 54th anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Opal Karns and their children, Cynthia (& Rex) Davis of Baroda, Michigan, Tammy Lynn (& Walter) Plouhar of Niles, and Timothy Allen Karns of Arkansas; grandchildren Anthony (& Lindsay) Davis, Staff Sergeant Christopher (& Sasha) Davis, U.S.Army, Courtney (& Michael) Williams, Jeremy (& Whitney Pinkowski) Plouhar, April Nichole Karns, Faith Candra Metz, and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Josephine, Makayla, Michael, Matthew, Layla, and Madison; and Paul’s sisters, Norma Palmer of Granger, Indiana, Ann Marie Miltenberger of Niles, Peggy Sernik of Berrien Springs, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Phyllis DeVos and Pat Simonas.

The funeral service for Paul Karns, Jr. will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Derek Cromwell of the First Baptist Church of Berrien Springs officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Paul may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Bookout, Robert J.

Robert J. Bookout, 97
Aug. 7, 1916-Sept. 14, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:47pm Monday, September 16, 2013

Robert J. Bookout, 97, of Niles, MI passed away on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 at his home.

Robert was born on Aug. 7, 1916 in Hartford City, Ind. to Leonard and Ruth (Hiles) Bookout. He married Virginia Boyle on Dec. 12, 1961

Robert was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in World War II. He founded Bookout Furniture in 1952, and was later joined in the business by his brother Raymond. He sold the business in 1998. Robert was a member of Buchanan Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Robert is survived by son; Gary (Carolyn) Bookout of Clearwater, Fla., two daughters; Joyce (Gayle) Simmons of Marion, Ind. and Roberta (Bob) Sanders of Wash., step-daughter; Candi Moore of South Bend, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, two nieces, one nephew and special sister-in-law Donna Weller.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Virginia, daughter Rebecca, two step daughters, Robyn and Sherry, and two brothers; Melvin and Raymond.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1107 N. Red Bud Trail, Buchanan, Mich. with visitation from 2-3 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home of Buchanan. Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com

Wager, Constance Emma

Constance Emma Wager, 92, of Niles
March 23, 1921-Sept. 16, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:21am Thursday, September 19, 2013

Constance E. Wager, 92, of Niles, passed away on Monday evening, September 16, 2013 at Silverbrook Manor in Niles.

She was born on March 23, 1921 in Niles, Michigan to the late Roy M. and Anna (Gleeson) Wager.

Constance graduated from Niles High School and stayed involved with her classmates for many years. She worked for decades at French Paper Company as an office clerk. She was gifted at sewing, knitting and crocheting.

She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings; Elizabeth Lipps, George Paquette, Raymond Paquette-Vassor and Donald Paquette.

Constance cared deeply for her nieces and nephews and is survived by many; Larry (Charlotte) Lipps of Lake Wales, Florida, George (Terry) Paquette of Niles, Jack (Kathleen) Paquette of Niles, Jim (Wanda) Paquette of Arizona, Kenneth (Helen) Paquette of Niles, Joseph Paquette of Niles, Marty (Vicki) Paquette of Niles, Sally Paquette of Niles, Judy Paquette of Vassar, Michigan and Gloria (Clayton) Paquette of Vassar, Michigan.

In keeping with Constance’s wishes a private service will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Riley, Angela Ann

Angela Ann “Angie” Riley, 34
Nov. 7, 1978-Sept. 7, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:06pm Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Riley obit
Riley

 

Angela Ann “Angie” Riley, age 34 years of Niles, Michigan died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 at her home, unexpectedly.

She was born on November 7, 1978 in South Bend, Indiana to Byron J. Sowers, Sr. and Sally Ann Riley.  She was graduated from Niles High School, and has lived in Niles all of her life.  She was a longtime employee of 0-1 Bovo Bail Bonding.  She had also been employed at the State Line Speedway, and by the state of Michigan in home health care.

Angie enjoyed flower gardening, was a prolific poet and was well known for her holiday ham gravy.  She will be best remembered for her desire to help people, including housekeeping chores, and caring for her children and nieces and nephews.

Surviving family includes her children, Austin Liebetrau, Jacob Liebetrau, and Kaitlyn RayAnn Cox, all of Niles, step-son Kenny Bowling of Niles; her mother, Sally Riley of Niles, step-father Gene Robertson of Niles; siblings William Joo Riley, Byron J. (Korrie) Sowers, Jr., and Jacquelyn Ruth (Larry Joe) Kirk, all of Niles, step-sister Kellie Gene (Aharon) Robertson of Niles; and many nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Taiten Polly (her Taterbug).  Also surviving are her longtime companion, Bradly Cox, and a lifelong friend, Sandra Bowling.

She was preceded in death by her father, Byron Sowers, Sr. and her step-father, Robert “Wally” Clements.

The funeral service for Angela A. Riley will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Michael Cheney of Niles officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at Noon on Friday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Angie may be made to the donor’s choice.

Graham, Mary Ann (Ketelhut)

Mary Ann Graham, 76
July 3, 1937-Sept. 7 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 11:06am Monday, September 9, 2013

Mary Ann Graham, age 76 years of Niles, Mich. died at 6:55 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on July 3, 1937 in Saint Joseph, Mich. to Richard and Edith (Spoonmore) Ketelhut. She was graduated from Saint Joseph High School, and has lived in Niles since 1956. She served many years as Deputy Treasurer for Niles Township (now Niles Charter Township).

Mary Ann was raised in the First Baptist Church of Saint Joseph. In Niles, she was active in bowling and golfing leagues. She enjoyed ceramics, reading mysteries and camping “up north” at the family’s place in Manistee, Mich.

On Sept. 1, 1956 in Saint Joseph she married John L. Graham who preceded her in death on Jan. 14, 1986. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her brothers, Richard Ketelhut and Robert Ketelhut, and sister, Patricia Charleston.

Surviving family includes a son, Ted (Sheila) True of Niles and daughters, Pat (Gary) Schrader of Niles and Peggy (Wayne) Shafer of Eau Claire, Mich.; seven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren; and Mary Ann’s sister, Barb Ketelhut of Bridgman, sister-in-law, Ruth (Mrs. Richard) Ketelhut of Deer Park, Texas, and brother-in-law, Wilbur Charleston of Bridgman; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mary Ann Graham will be at Noon on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Chris Noffke of Zion United Church of Christ in Baroda, Michigan officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Mary Ann may be made to Hospice at Home.