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.

Clymer, Dudley Albert 1864-1909

editor Obituaries

D. Albert Clymer
Jan. 9, 1864-Nov. 3, 1909

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, November 3, 1909, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

D. ALBERT CLYMER
Demise of Well Known Farmer of this Section

Dudley Albert Clymer, a well known farmer residing three miles northeast of Niles, passed away this morning at about 7 o’clock at the of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Dick, 711 Oak street.

Mr. Clymer had long been a sufferer from heart disease and rheumatism. A short time ago he went to St. Joseph to take the mineral bathers but as his condition did not improve, accompanied by Mrs. Dick he went to Ann Arbor about a week ago. His case was pronounced hopeless, and as he was anxious to return home, Mr. Kick and Dr. Greenamyer went to Ann Arbor yesterday morning and brought him to Niles at 6:40 p.m.

About midnight Mr. Clymer lapsed into unconsciousness and passed away at the hour stated.

The remains were taken to the family home this morning.

Mr. Clymer was 45 years of age last January. He was born north of the city on the Niles and Berrien Springs road and had always resided in this vicinity.

Eighteen years ago Mr. Clymer was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Fisher, who passed away about ten years later leaving three little daughters, Elaine, Mildred and Gertrude, and the father’s devotion and care for them since has been a beautiful example of parental love and their grief at their loss is most pathetic.

Besides the daughters, Mr. Clymer is survived by his father, C. Clymer, two sisters and a brother as follows: Mrs. J.W. Dick, Miss Daisy Clymer and William Clymer all of Niles.

Mr. Clymer was a man of most estimable qualities and had won for himself a host of friends throughout the community all of whom extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

For years the deceased had been a member of the Baptist church in this city.

Fraternally Mr. Clymer was identified with Niles Tent, K.O.T.M.M.

The funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Cutting, James J. 1858-1931

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James J. Cutting
Aug. 14, 1858-March 9, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 9, 1931, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL JAMES CUTTING

Funeral services were held on Sunday in South Bend for James Cutting, for 30 years a member of the detective department in that city and brother of W.D. Cutting, retired member of the Niles police department. The body was brought to Niles for burial in Silver Brook cemetery. Among those from out of the city who attended the funeral and committal services were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brown of Mt. Carmel, Ill., the former a sister of Messrs. Cutting; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Cutting, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cutting, Mrs. Paul Etzcorn and daughter, Jeanne, of Detroit, Cylde[sic] and Jack Cutting and Mrs. Etzcorn being sons and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Cutting, and Robert Eyers of Cadillac. The returned to their homes last evening or today.

Marks, Thomas 1845-1931

editor Obituaries

Thomas Marks
Sept. 29, 1845-March 6, 1931

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, March 6, 1931, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH THOMAS MARKS

Friends will be sorry to learn of the death at 7:30 this morning of Thomas Marks, at the home of his son, Marcus at 1250 South 15th street. Mr. Marks had been ill for several weeks, and a recent attack of influenza, added to his advanced years and weakened condition caused his death. Mr. Marks came to Niles 6 years ago to live with his son, Marcus Marks, from Marion, Indiana, where he had been a farmer for many years. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Hester Marks, whom he married 47 years ago at Wabash, Indiana. He is also survived by four sons, Marcus, Harry, and Raymond, of Niles, and George, of Buchanan, and by nine grandchildren.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, March 7, 1931, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL THOMAS MARKS

Funeral arrangements for Thomas Marks, of Niles, who died Friday morning at the home of his sone, Marcus, include the funeral from the home of the son at 1250 S. Fifteenth street at 10 a.m. on Monday and the burial in Silver Brook Cemetery.

 

Green, Edward Lee 1942-2022

editor Obituaries

Edward Lee Green
April 26, 1942 ~ October 6, 2022 (age 80)

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Edward Lee Green, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan, brother, uncle, handyman, outdoorsman, and friend died peacefully at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022 with his nephew at his side at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on April 26, 1942 in Niles to George and Barbara (Hibbard) Hanes, but was raised by Barbara’s sister and her husband, Bessie L. and David D. Green who later adopted him.  He was a talented handyman, proficient in small engine repair, and was employed for several years at Briar Crest Townhouses in property management.  He lived most of his life on the family homestead on Platt Street, but as his health declined he moved to the apartments of the Niles Housing Commission, who welcomed him as a neighbor, friend, and valued tenant.

Eddie enjoyed the outdoors, and was often seen walking or riding his bicycle from the westside to downtown Niles, visiting with old and new friends along the way.  He was also a familiar sight at the edge of the Saint Joseph River where he enjoyed fishing.  At home, he was a great cook, capable of a wide variety of dishes, but best known for his bean soup and for his homemade sauerkraut.  He was quite a fan of the old westerns, and visitors would find those movies running on the television set whether anyone was watching or not.

As a younger man, in the winter Eddie maintained an ice rink on the front of the homestead, welcoming neighborhood children, and keeping a warming fire burning.  Very few of those skaters realized that he quietly spent the nights renewing the ice surface with buckets of water that he drew from a nearby cistern.

On September 24, 1982 at the Niles Salvation Army he married the former Linda J. Seward with whom he celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on November 24, 2006.  He was also preceded in death by his natural parents and adoptive parents, and by his brother-in-law, Floyd Hojara.

Surviving family includes his siblings, Carol “Sally” Hojara of Niles, Barbara Ann “Cassie” Duca of South Bend, Indiana, and another sister, Rose and a brother, John.  Also surviving are many nieces and nephews including Ron (& Margie) Hojara who – along with Sally – helped Eddie to maintain his independence.  Ed will also be missed by his longtime friend, Patty.

The family and friends of Eddie Green will gather at his graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 to honor his life and share some memories.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

While Eddie enjoyed solitary activities such as fishing and walking, and was a hard and dedicated worker rebuilding engines and resurfacing the ice rink, his best times were caring for people, neighbors and family, and Linda and Patty.

Kubiak, Ellen Rose 1938-2022

editor Obituaries

Ellen Armstrong Kubiak
March 3, 1938-Oct. 22, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published 6:14 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2022

March 3, 1938-Oct. 22, 2022

Ellen Rose Kubiak, age 84 years of Niles, Michigan, mother, grandmother, realtor, and tavern owner died peacefully at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, surrounded by her family at home following a brief illness. Her family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

She was born on May 3, 1938, in Niles to Frank H. and Cecelia H. (Lowery) Armstrong, Sr., and graduated with the class of 1956 from Niles High School. She had a very successful career in Real Estate for more than thirty years, last working for RE/MAX Modern Realty. She has lived in Niles all of her life.

On Jan. 25, 1964, in Niles she married her high school sweetheart, William “Butch” Kubiak. Together, they owned and operated Kubiak’s Tavern, which the Kubiak family has owned since 1933 — Michigan’s oldest single-family owned tavern. When not at work or at the tavern, she enjoyed spending time with her family at their lake cottage, and – of course – her favorite pastime was going to the Casino. She was one lucky lady.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Butch Kubiak on March 30, 2002; by her parents, Frank and Cecelia Armstrong, Sr.; and by all ten of her siblings, Dorothy Ringler, Howard Armstrong, Jr., Mary Stokes, Warren Armstrong, Verna Brill, Betty Lou Armstrong, Dick Armstrong, John Armstrong, Pauline Garrett, and Cecilia Diedrich. She was both the youngest of the eleven Armstrong children, and the last survivor.

Surviving family includes her daughter, Diane C. (& Daryl) Janowiak of Niles; grandsons Hunter J. and Connor W. Janowiak, both of Niles; and many nieces and nephews including a special niece, Sonya Gallagher of Elkhart, Indiana.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Ellen Kubiak will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 203 South Lincoln Avenue in Niles by the Rev. Christian Johnston assisted by Deacon Roger Gregorski. Committal Rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 3 p.m. Contributions in memory of Ellen may be made to Caring Circle Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085, https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle; or to the American Diabetes Association, Post Office Box 7023, Merrifield, Virginia, 22116, https://diabetes.org/.

Online condolences may be left at:
www.halbritterwickens.com

Ellen was a loving and generous mother, grandmother, and aunt. She was so proud of her daughter and grandsons. She beamed with pride, telling stories of her grand-boys and all of their accomplishments. Gram will be dearly missed.

Orrick, Earlene Jane 1936-2022

editor Obituaries

Earlene Jane (Bivins) Orrick
August 20, 1936-October 14, 2022 (age 86)

Published on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Earlene Jane Orrick, 86, of Buchanan, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022 in her home with her family by her side.

Jane was born on August 20, 1936 in Michigan City, IN to the late Earl and Norma (Flotow) Bivins.

In February 1959 she married Willard Orrick with whom she celebrated an amazing 63 years of marriage.

Jane is survived by her husband, Willard and their daughters, Melodie (Tom) Wilson of Buchanan, Pamela (Roy) Jordan of Niles and Vickie (Greg) Mitchell of Niles, six grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. 

Jane enjoyed the outdoors. She and Willard enjoyed traveling and camping together in their RV. She also enjoyed going shopping. Jane’s dearest love was her family. Being with them was time she always cherished.

A Graveside service will be held for Jane on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 3pm at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Arrangements have been made at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St. Niles.

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

White, Michael L. 1947-2022

editor Obituaries

Michael White
Sept. 16, 1947-May 11, 2022 (age 74)

Pubished on Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home website:

Obituary

Michael Lee White, age 74 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, trucker, car-guy, and honorable veteran died peacefully at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 with his family gathered around at home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Centrica Care Navigators hospice.

He was born on September 16, 1947 in Mishawaka, Indiana to Herbert Lee and Maxine (Damm) White, moved with his family to Niles in 1958, and was graduated from Niles High School.  He enlisted in the United States Navy, and was discharged as a Veteran of the Vietnam Era.  Back in Niles, he joined the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union Local #364, and drove for the Preston Trucking Company, and later drove for the Saint Joseph County Public Works Highway Division from which he retired.

Mike had been a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles, and was a member of the AMVETS Post #1978 in Niles.  He enjoyed maintaining a nice yard, and had owned a Harley-Davidson motorcycle which he rode throughout the area, and a few longer trips including successfully negotiating the Tail of the Dragon highway – 11 miles with 381 curves on the western border of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

He maintained a remarkable fleet of automobiles, always changing as a child or grandchild would need a car, but always included a classic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.  He took his family camping throughout the United States, using a variety of tents, trailers, and RVs, and often spent time at Roger’s Lake.  As a young man, Mike developed a deep interest in music, including orchestral music, and became a great percussionist, often performing perfectly the well-known drum solos of the Surfari’s hit, “Wipeout”.

Mike had the great sense to ask Sandy Leach for a date to Skate-a-Rama, and on October 17, 1966 – in-front of the Justice of the Peace, Ralph Bowman at Bowman’s Motel – he married Sandra Jay Leach.  They celebrated last year the remarkable Fifty-fifth anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Sandy White and their children, Jodie (& Paul) Badman of Niles, Jamie (& Patrick) Fisher of Niles, and Jason White of Chicago, Illinois; grandchildren Hannah Sweet, Ethan Sweet, Lauren Biggs, Parker Biggs, and Jenson Fisher; and Mike’s siblings, Jackie Jo (& Chuck) Evans of Osceola, Indiana, Donald (& Carol) Hooker of Texas, Melanie (& Tom) Piteo of Cleveland, Ohio, and Kevin Henri of Michigan City, Indiana; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by an infant granddaughter, Sandra Jay Michele Jones; and a sister, Toni Brown.

The family of Michael White will gather privately to share memories and honor his life.  Committal will be at a later date in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  Contributions in memory of Mike may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, https://www.stjude.org/.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Mike clearly enjoyed life, beginning with music, but also traveling for work, and on his Harley, and camping.  More importantly, he loved the people in his life, taking his family camping, providing his kids and grandkids with great cars, and most importantly, loving and protecting Sandy.

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