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.

Tweedy, Tracy Ray

Tracy Ray Tweedy Sr., 58
March 29, 1953- Feb. 2, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:43pm Tuesday, February 5, 2013

ELKHART— Tracy Ray Tweedy Sr., 58, of Elkhart, passed away at 11:35 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 at his home.

Tweedy

He was born on March 29, 1953 in South Bend to Harvey Tweedy and Helen (Bush) Walter.

Tracy is survived by his children; Tracy Ray (Marcie) Tweedy Jr., Misti Gail (Tasha) Nabor, both of Elkhart, Donald Glenn (Jessie) Tweedy of Dowagiac, Mich., and Carlotta Joyce Tweedy of Niles, Mich.; a brother, James Tweedy, sisters, Deb (Doyle) Harpole, Teresa Rush, Pam Hawkins, all of Niles, Mich., and Carla (Larry) Fales of Elkhart. Also surviving are his grandchildren; Hannah, Lauren, Alex and Austin, and one great-grandchild Madalen. Also surviving are the mothers of his children, Wendy Buck of Elkhart and Leesa Tweedy of Niles, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Joyce Walter and step-father, Kenneth J. Walter.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Tracy enjoyed going to cookouts, riding snowmobiles, fishing and spending time with his family.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society.

Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements.

Joyce, Karen Lynn (Nyborg)

Karen Lynn (Nyborg) Joyce, 66
Sept. 21, 1946-May 2, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:15am Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Karen Lynn (Nyborg) Joyce, 66, of Salem, Ore., passed away suddenly of natural causes, on May 2, 2013 at Salem Hospital.

Joyce
Joyce

She was born in International Falls, Minn., on Sept. 21, 1946 to the late Henry L. and Florence R. (Clark) Nyborg.

Karen graduated from Niles Sr. High School Class of 1964. She was a homemaker most of her life.

She is survived by her husband Robert Joyce of Salem, Ore. She is also survived by her childrens’ father Al Byler and their five children:  Kimberly Fuchs of South Bend, Ind., Kristopher Byler of Bristol, Ind., Kelly Byler of Salem, Ore., Kirk Byler of Granger, Ind., Kirsten Byler of Mishawaka, Ind. and a step-son Sean Joyce of Salem, Ore.  Also, surviving grandchildren: Breannon (Kyle) Mesaros, A.J. Byler, Ashley Zalas, Andrew Pipp, Jourdin Byler, Joshuah Byler, Anthony Byler, Jacob Byler, Blair Fuchs, Ian Joyce, Hayden Byler, Rilynd Byler, baby Ethan Byler and two sisters: Shirley (Lee) Spencer of Niles, Mich., Pearl (Tom) Weir of White Pigeon, Mich., and two brothers: Floyd (Sandy) Sanders of Dowagiac, Mich., Joe (Linda) Nyborg of Vale, Ore.

A time of visitation will be held on Friday, May 10, 2013 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home and an interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Karen Lynn Joyce to Shriners Childrens Hospital

FOR MOM

We can shed tears that you are gone

Or we can smile because you have lived

We can close our eyes and pray that you will come back

Or we can open our eyes and see all that you have left

Our heart can be empty because we can’t see  you

Or we can be full of the love that we’ve shared

We can turn our back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or we can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

We can remember you and only that you are gone

Or we can cherish your memory and let it live on

We can cry and close our mind, be empty and turn our back

Or we can do what you would want… smile, open our eyes, love and go on.

- Your Loving Family

Those wishing to leave a message of condolence for the Joyce Family or upload a photo of Karen for them to see may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

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

Rolston, Michael Rae

Michael Rae Rolston, 64
Died Nov. 1, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 1:56pm Thursday, May 16, 2013

Michael Rae Rolston, age 64, of Midway, Georgia, formerly of Niles died on Nov. 1, 2012 in Midway, Georgia.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1967, earning a Bronze Star for Valor as a Veteran of the Vietnam War.  He also served in Iraq.

Committal service will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013 at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and the American Legion Post #26, Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

Lundgren, Nels T.

Nels T. ‘Ted’ Lundgren, 84
May 26, 1928-May 14, 2013

Niles Daily Star,Published online 12:32pm Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Nels T. “Ted” Lundgren, age 84 years, of Niles, Mich., died on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.  He was born May 26, 1928 in Niles to Aaron and Emma (Peterson) Lundgren.

Lundgren
Lundgren

Ted was a 1946 graduate of Niles High School where he played on the first Niles High School baseball team.  He served in the United States Army, returning as a veteran of the Korean Conflict.  After retiring from New York Central Rail Road Company as an engineer, Ted and his family lived in Arlington Heights, Illinois for 10 years, while he worked for the Federal Aviation Agency.  In his retirement, Ted taught himself the trade of clock repair, and would tinker with most any timepiece, from pocket watches to mantel clocks.  Ted always had a passion for baseball and in 1970, he and four other men founded the Babe Ruth Baseball League in Niles.

On July 18, 1953 in Angola, Ind., Ted married the former Janet L. Jerue, who preceded him in death on Oct. 2, 2002.

From their union survives a son; Jeff (and wife Julie) Lundgren of Rochester Hills, Michigan and two grandchildren; Jeff and Joey Lundgren.  Also surviving is one sister; Arlene Brown of Niles.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years; Janet, his parents and brother Albert Lundgren.

Funeral services for Nels T. “Ted” Lundgren will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with (Cindy VanParys unconfirmed).  Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Donations in memory of Ted may be made to the Greater Niles Baseball League at Thomas Stadium.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Elrod, Julia Sue

Julia Sue Elrod, 63
July 7, 1949-May 16, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:01pm Thursday, May 16, 2013

Julia Sue Elrod, 63, of Niles, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, of natural causes.

She was born July 7, 1949 in Arkansas to Graham M. and Virgie Ann Ford.  She worked as a trucking company dispatcher.

Preceding Julia in death are her parents and one sister, Ruby.

Surviving family include her husband, Gerald Elrod of Niles; sons, William (Stacy) Edwards of Niles and Mathew (Jennifer) Edwards of Niles; daughters, Angela Whitson and Jacqueline (Jose Martinez) Edwards, both of California; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brothers, John, Randy and William Ford; and sisters, Mary and Debbie.

Funeral services will be held at noon, Monday, May 20, 2013 in Hoven Funeral Home, Inc, of Buchanan, with visitation one hour before the service in the funeral home. Burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Hoven Funeral Home, Inc. of Buchanan is handling arrangements for the family.  Online condolences can be sent to www.hovenfunerals.com

Roach, Sara Sue

Sara Sue Roach, 67
May 7, 1946-May 24, 2013

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:39am Monday, May 27, 2013

Sara Sue Roach, 67, of Niles, Mich., died at 5:38 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Mich., following an extended illness.

She was born on May 7, 1946 in Niles to Franklin Perry and Bernice Mary (Baich) Holy.  She was graduated from Brandywine High School, and lived here all of her life.  She was employed for many years at Martin’s Supermarket, usually as a demonstrator.

Sara was a member of the Liberty Chapel Pentecostal Church in Dowagiac, Mich.  She volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles; and was a well-known and loved babysitter for many children including infants.

On August 13, 1966 at the Bertrand Bible Church in Niles she married Billy Gene Roach with whom she celebrated last year the forty-sixth anniversary of their wedding.

She is survived by her husband, Billy Gene, and by her sister, Patricia (and Larry) Conley of Niles, her aunt, Vera Holy of Niles, nephews Shannon (and Tammy) Conley and Jason (and Maria) Conley; several cousins, and Billy’s sisters and brothers, and their mother, Norma Roach of Dowagiac.

The funeral service for Sara Sue Roach will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Mark N. Saylor of the Liberty Chapel Pentecostal Church officiating.  Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Geideman, Martha (Teich)

Martha Geideman
Aug. 9, 1886-Dec. 19, 1942

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 19, 1942, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MARTHA GEIDEMAN, ILL 3 YEARS, DIES

 

Mrs. Martha Geideman, 56, wife of Frank J. Geideman, died this morning at 2:30 in her home at 521 South Third street.  She had been ill three years of a heart ailment.

Mrs. Geideman was born in Chicago Aug. 9, 1886, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Teich. She was married to Mr. Geideman, who survives, Sept. 24, 1907, in Niles. The couple lived a number of years in Michigan City and moved to Niles 22 years ago.

Surviving with Mrs. Geideman are four children, Mrs. Margaret Meyer, Russell G. Geideman, Fred H. Geideman, and John W. Geideman, all of Niles, and two brothers, Pvt. Harry L. Teich, Denver, Colo., and Albert H. Teich, Chicago.

Rites Tuesday

Mrs. Geideman was a member of St.  John's Evangelical church, the G.I.A. of the B. of L.E. and the Woman's guild of St. John's church.

The body  has been taken from the Rutherford funeral home to the family home where friends may call. The service will be conducted in the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 by the Rev. Theo Eisen, pastor of St. John's church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.