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.

Amason, Julien 2022-2022

editor Obituaries

Julien Amason, of Niles
June 7, 2022-August 7, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:56 pm Friday, August 12, 2022

Julien Amason, two months, of Niles, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022 at Memorial Hospital- South Bend. Arrangements are pending and entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Published on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Julien Glenn Amason

Baby Julien Glenn Amason, of Niles, passed away suddenly, of natural causes, on August 7, 2022, at the South Bend Memorial Hospital. Julien was born in Niles on June 7, 2022, to his two loving parents, Brandon R. Amason and Liliana K. Zulas.

From the time he was born, Julien was a strong willed, happy baby who loved nothing more than snuggles and affection from his parents. It was obvious that he was a mama’s boy, but would embrace the love given to him regardless of where it came from. Although his life was cut short, Julien’s presence had a life changing impact on his entire family. He was born into a family that brought him into the world with more love than he could have comprehended. He was full of smiles and giggles until it was time to change his diaper, which was his least favorite time throughout the day. His bright-eyed smile will be cherished and remembered forever. Julien was preceded in death by some of his great-grandparents and extended family members.

The large, loving family surviving Julien include his parents, Brandon R. Amason and Liliana K. Zulas of Niles; brother, Oliver Amason of Niles; grandparents, Timothy and Christy Herbster of Niles, Paul Zulas of South Bend, Susan Aitchison of North Carolina, Anne Zulas of South Bend, and Lisa Rotzien of Niles; great-grandparents, Robin Thomas of Racine, Wisconsin, Roy and Carolyn Herbster, Ptricia Hanlon of North Carolina; aunts and uncles, Marissa Flitsch, Andrew Jensen, Ashley Jensen, Samuel Herbster, Kaylynn Herbster, Chris Zulas, James Zulas, Angelina Zulas (Zac Carr), Lennie Zulas, and Charlie Zulas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the GoFundMe that was created in Julien’s name.

The family will gather for private funeral services. Friends and Family are welcome to join Julien’s family for an interment on Friday, September 9, 2022 at3:00 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

Walton, Mabel A. 1880-1961

editor Obituaries

Mabel A. Walton (Currier)
Nov. 5, 1880-Feb. 22, 1961

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 22, 1961, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mabel A. Walton, 80, 1828 River Bluff Rd., retired Buchanan Elementary School principal, died at 6 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital where she was admitted Tuesday night. She had been ill for the past week.

Mrs. Walton was born Nov. 5, 1880, in Bertrand Township and had lived her lifetime in this community. She had taught school for 20 years in the Buchanan system, retiring as grade school principal. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Buchanan and a charter member of the Bend of the River Grange.

Surviving are: her husband, Herbert; a daughter, Miss Esther Walton, Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Dorothea Daw, St. Louis, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home with Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church here, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Walton, Mary Ann (Scanlon) 1874-1930

editor Obituaries

Mary Ann Scanlon Walton
Jan. 14, 1874-Oct. 22, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, October 24, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FORMER NILES WOMAN DEAD

Word has been received in Niles of the death of Mrs. Jay Walton, sister-in-law of Herbert Walton of Niles, in Portland, Ore. The body of Mrs. Walton will be brought to Niles for burial probably about next Tuesday, although plans for the funeral are as yet incomplete.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, October 27, 1930, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. JAY WALTON

Jay Walton returned from Portland this afternoon with the body of his wife, Mrs. Mary Scanlon Walton, who died in that city on Thursday. Funeral services were held in Portland before the body was shipped to Niles. Friends will gather in the Troost and Augustine chapel at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon for a brief service before the committal service at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, October 28, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: COMMITTAL FOR MRS. WALTON

Among those from out of the city who attended the committal services in Silver Brook cemetery this afternoon for Mrs. Jay Walton, who body was brought to Niles from Portlnad[sic], Ore., where funeral services were held, were James Scanlon of Saginaw, a brother of Mrs. Walton, and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Comerford of Detroit. Mr. Walton accompanied the body to Niles and is at the home of his brother, Herbert.

Williams, Esther M. 1902-1971

editor Obituaries

Esther M. Williams
Aug. 26, 1902-Jan. 3, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, January 4, 1971, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES―Mrs. Esther M. Williams, 68, of 1502 Maple Street died at 11:35 a.m. Sunday at Pawating Hospital following an illness of several months.

Mrs. Williams, who was born Aug. 26, 1902 in Logansport, Ind. Had lived in Niles since 1926, coming from Logansport. She married John F. Williams Aug. 28, 1930 in Logansport. He survives.

Mrs. William[sic] is survived by four brothers, Henry Smallwood of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Carl, Ralph and James Smallwood of Niles and a sister, Mrs. Florence DeHaven of Niles.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church with The Rev. John R. Wyngarden officiating. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

The Niles Chapter of the Eastern Star will conduct a memorial service at 7 p.m Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Friends may call at the funeral home beginning Tuesday.

Wilson, Velma 1895-1961

editor Obituaries

Velma (Moore) Steiner Wilson
Jan. 1, 1895-Feb. 10, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, February 11, 1961, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Velma (Steiner) Wilson, 66, 1210 N. 7th St., died at 10:50 a.m. Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Neil Goodhand, 977 S. 13th St. She had been in failing health since last September.

Mrs. Wilson was born Jan 1, 1895, in Dowagiac and had lived most of her lifetime in Niles where she was a member of the Lady Elks, the Pythian Sisters, the Grand Independent Auxilary[sic] of the Brotherhood of Locomotive engineers, the American Legion Auxilary[sic] and Mothers of World War II.

Surviving are: her husband, Arthur H. Wilson, three children, Mrs. Goodhand, William and James Steiner, both Niles; a step-son, Ollie Steiner, Niles; five grandchildren; a brother, Henry Moore, Mishawaka, Ind., and a sister, Mrs. Wolfred Parren, Cassopolis.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Bridges, Darlene M. 1957-2022

editor Obituaries

Darlene Bridges
Nov. 28, 1957-Aug. 10, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:16 pm Friday, August 12, 2022

Nov. 28, 1957-Aug. 10, 2022

Darlene M. Bridges, 64, of Niles, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, Michigan.

She was born in South Bend, Indiana on Nov. 28, 1957, to the late Howard and Zelma May (Hamilton) Bridges.

After graduating high school, Darlene furthered her education an obtained the title of Licensed Practical Nurse. She was an exceptional care giver, and thoroughly enjoyed being able to help those in need.

Darlene was full of love and laughter. She was always giving, expecting nothing in return. Those who knew her became accustomed to her thoughtfulness. She loved her family unconditionally, and would do anything for them. She especially loved her dear granddaughter, Catherine and enjoyed many evenings facetiming with her. She would often send her gifts so she knew just how much she loved and missed her.

Darlene was also an avid bible reader and loved God and always put her faith in Him. A perfect evening for Darlene would be snuggled up somewhere with her beloved cat, reading her daily devotions and scriptures.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Darlene is survived by her two sons, Brandon Semrinec, of Sarasota, Florida and Adam Semrinec of Niles; her siblings, Mike (Judy) Bridges; Garry (Cheryl) Bridges; and Linda Bridges, all of Niles; her beloved granddaughter, Catherine Semrinec of Florida and a host of friends, family, and loved ones.

In keeping with Darlene’s wishes, private family Services with be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be made in Darlene’s memory to Berrien County Cancer Service at 3900 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Crocker, Thomas Howard 1933-2022

editor Obituaries

Crocker, Thomas Howard, of Niles,
January 30, 1933-August 6, 2022 (age 89)

Niles Daily Star, Published online 2:28 pm Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Crocker, Thomas, 89, of Niles, Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, Niles.

Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home

Thomas Howard Crocker
January 30, 1933-August 6, 2022 (age 89)

Obituary

Thomas Howard Crocker, age 89, formally[sic] of Niles, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and educator, passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, August 6, 2022.

He was born in Niles on January 30, 1933 to the late Quinton Crocker and Bessie Lee (Sissom) Crocker. Thomas graduated from Niles High School. On January 1952 in Niles, he married the former Lois Jean Kater. Thomas then entered the Navy and honorably served during the Korean Conflict. After his service to our country, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University and later his master’s degree from Indiana University South Bend. 

Thomas dedicated his life to education.  First as an Industrial Arts teacher and then as an Administrator.  He was the Assistant Principal of Niles High School and as Principal for a year until his retirement.

He and Lois moved to Apache Junction Arizona in 2004. Sadly, Lois passed away on August 10, 2015.

Thomas was an accomplished athlete, during his High School career he played Football, Baseball and Basketball.  He was an All State Athlete several times. As an adult, he continued to play Baseball.  He also enjoyed golf.  He could be found golfing on courses in Michigan, Florida and Arizona. Thomas appreciated nature.  He would go camping (tent and camper) often in the Midwest. He had a love of fishing and ice fishing in the winter.

His devotion to students and their families was demonstrated in many different ways.  Weather it was making sure a student had a ride to school or to have a heart-to-heart talk with a student in order to help them along the right path, Thomas could be tough but fair and understanding.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Quinton Crocker and Bessie Lee Doolittle, his wife, Lois Jean Crocker, grandson Sgt. Jason Holmes, brothers, Horace Crocker, Ed Turtle, James Turtle and sister, Jo Ann Flock.

Surviving Thomas are his children; Tammalia ‘Tammy’ (Steve) Sapmaz of Edwardsburg, MI, Bridget Perry of Queen Creek, AZ, Brenda (Tom) Vokal of Muskegon, MI, grandchildren; Jennifer (Tyler) Young, Kimberly Kujawa, Brian Holmes, Jr., Andrew Sapmaz and 17 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Crocker of Niles, MI and Donna Oceanrider[sic]

Visitation for Thomas will be on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from Noon to 2:00pm at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. in Niles.  A Funeral service will begin at 2:00pm at the Funeral Home.  Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy. 

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com

Memorial contributions in Thomas’ name may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

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