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.

Higgins, William

William Higgins
Sept. 16, 1864-Sept. 2, 1928


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 4, 1928, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

WILLIAM HIGGINS DIES

William Higgins, 64, of 112 1/2 S. Williams street, South Bend, died on Sunday evening at 7 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Higgins' daughter, Mrs. Chas. Starkie, 1525 Lake street, in Niles. His death followed his fourth stroke of paralysis.  He was brought to Niles from South Bend on Saturday. Mr. Higgins was born in New York state on Sept. 16, 1864.  He moved to South Bend from Niles 15 years ago.  While in Niles he was for a number of years in the employ of the late J.S. Tuttle at his tannery. Mr. Higgins is survived by a widow, who was formerly Mrs. Catherine Ausmus Thompson of Niles, and by two step-daughters, Mrs. A.W. Barnett of Chicago and Mrs. Starkie of Niles. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Starkie. Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial . .[Illegible] ..

Kain, Helen H.

Helen H. Kain
May 18, 1922-Nov. 27, 1976


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 29, 1976, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--Mrs. Helen H. Kain, 54, of 2900 Matthew Rd., died at 4 a.m. Saturday at Berrien General Hospital after an extended illness.

A member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, she was born May 18, 1922 in North Judson, Ind., and had lived here since 1947, coming from North Judson.  On June 7, 1947 in North Judon, she married Hilbert L. Kain, who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Donald, Melvin and Glen, all of Niles; a brother, Ora Bachert of North Judson; four sisters, Mrs. Herm Finkbinder of Culver, Ind., Mrs. Carl Liskey of North Judson, Mrs. Lloyd Benson of North Judson and Mrs. Tom Pitts of Knox, Ind.; and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Theodore Laesch of St. Paul's officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are calling at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

 

Kompass, Mary Jane

Mary Jane Kompass
Sept. 15, 1899-Nov. 14, 1980


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 17, 1980, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Mary J. Kompass, 81, formerly of 421 N. 4th St., Niles, died at 8:20 a.m. Friday in Appleton, Wis. following an extended illness.

She had been a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Niles Service League and Ladies' Historical Society.

Mrs. Kompass was born Sept. 15, 1899 in Glendora, Calif. She was married on Sept. 28, 1922 in Niles to Frederick B. Kompass. He died in 1975.

Survivors include two daughters, Anne K. Glasner of Appleton, Wis., and Jane K. Klopp of Battle Creek; a brother, George R. Kneeshaw, Niles; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Trinity Episcopal Church.  The Rev. Vincent J. Anderson will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Local arrangements are being handled by the Halbritter Funeral Home. There will be no visitation.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Niles Community Library.

 

Kregar, Eloise Hope

Eloise Hope Kregar
Died Apr. 21, 1926


Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 23, 1926, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Funeral services for Eloise Hope Kreager[sic], infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kregar, of Bertrand, who died Wednesday were conducted yesterday from the Rutherford's funeral home by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Berrien Springs. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Larsen, Theodore

Theodore Larsen
1908-May 8, 1926


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 8, 1926, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


TED LARSON LOSES FIGHT FOR LIFE

SON OF MR. AND MRS. CHARLES LARSEN DIEDS AFTER LONG ILLNESS

 

Ted Larson[sic], 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Larsen, died this morning at 9:20 o'clock at their home five miles north of Niles in Niles township. The youth had long been afflicted with diabetes, and has ben[sic] a patient on several occasions at University hospital in Ann Arbor. He was born  in Niles and had attended the Niles schools until ill health made it necessary for him to give up his studies.

Besides his parents, Red is survived by two brothers, Ben and Clayton and one sister, Andrea. Mr. and Mrs. H. Larsen and Mrs. and Mrs. Frank Woolever, of Niles, are his grandparents.

Ben Larsen, who was graduated from the Niles high school last June, and who is taking a course in cartooning in Chicago, reached Niles just 10 minutes before his brother's death, but in time to be recognized by his brother. Ted's condition had been considered critical within the last few days.

The funeral plans have not been completed.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 10, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Tuesday

Funeral services for Ted Larsen will be held at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Larsen, five miles north of Niles, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Finkbeiner, pastor of Morris Chapel of the Pokagon circuit of the Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery. Mrs. Roy Wright, a sister of Mr. Larsen, and her husband, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lithgow, also relatives, all of Chicago, are in the city for the services.

Lipp, Sally (Weiser)

Sally Lipp
April 25, 1858-May 13, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 13, 1926, page 8, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library


MRS. SALLY LIPP DIES SUDDENLY

DROPS DEAD THIS MORNING AS SHE BEGINS TO READ LETTER

 

Death came suddenly this morning about 11:15 to Mrs. Sally Lipp, 58, widow of Joseph Lipp, at her home, 309 N. Fifth street, Mrs. Lipp had been sick with diabetes and other complications for about five months, and since March had been under the care of a nurse.  This morning as she sat in a chair and about to read a letter, while apparently feeling better than for several days, she suddenly expired.

The deceased was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, on April 25, 1858, and was a daughter of Isaac Weiser. She came to Niles when about 20 years old and had since resided here. She was married in Benton Harbor on November 24, 1893.  Mr. Lipp on May 5, 1915, and his death was sudden also.  Mrs. Lipp was a charter member of New Century Rebekah lodge,and at the time of her death was the district deputy of the local lodge. She was well  known and had numerous relatives in Niles and on Portage Prairie, being connected with the Housewerth, Rough, Beebe, Weiser and Fisher families. She was highly esteemed for many estimable qualities and many mourn her death. Her closest surviving relative is a brother who lives in Snyder county, Pennsylvania.  Pending word from him the arrangements for the funeral will not be made.

Mrs. Lipp had been deeply interested in the work of the First Baptist church for a number of years.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 14, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


FUNERAL SATURDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Sallie Lipp will be held at the home, 309 N. Fifth street, Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Walter Osborn will officiate.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery. Relatives from Snyder county, Penn., are expected this evening for the services.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 15, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


FUNERAL FOR MRS. LIPP TODAY

Members of the New Century Rebekah lodge as a mark of respect, attended the funeral services for Mrs. Sally Lipp in a body this afternoon, she having been a charter member of that lodge, and has been active in the lodge until her last illness. Rev. Walter Osborn, pastor of the First Baptist church, conducted the services. Evan Rutter sang. The pallbearers were Leroy Morley, Elmer Jones, Ferdinand Bachman, Walter . .[illegible] . . drews. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Leverenz, Catherine (Mann)

Catherine Mann Leverenz
1898-1926


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 1, 1926, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


DEATH CLAIMS THREE FORMER NILES RESIDENTS


During the week-end three former Niles residents died in distant cities. In each case plans were made for bringing the bodies to Niles for burial.
Charles Richardson, a son of Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Richardson, deceased, died on Saturday in Grand Rapids. The body was brought to Niles this afternoon and was taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery where burial took place in the family lot. Rev. James E. Wilkinson conducted the committal service. Mr. Richardson is survived by a widow who accompanied the body to Niles; and by a brother, William L. Richardson, of Chicago, who is at present in California, and by a sister, Mrs. Eugene Cook, of Kalamazoo, who is visiting at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter Parkin.  A nephew, and another neice[sic] reside in Chicago.

William Beall

The body of William Beall was brought to Niles today from Houston, Texas, where he died on Sunday, and was taken to the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms. The funeral services will be held there Wednesday.  A telegram announcing his death was received this morning by W.R. Wills.
Mr. Beall was a son of Mr. and Mrs. S.S. Beall, prominent pioneer residents of Niles, both now deceased. Mr. Beall, who is better remembered in Niles as "Bud" Beall, has resided in Houston for a number of years. He had been in ill-health for two years. He was about 65 years of age.  He is survived by a widow, who accompanied the body to Niles, and by three sons. Selby Wills, of Niles, is a nephew of the deceased.

Mrs. William Levering

Mrs. Catherine Mann Levering, wife of William Levering, formerly of Niles, died on Friday at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the family had resided for three years leaving Niles for Albuquerque in the hope of benefitting her health. The body will be brought to Niles for burial although the exact time is not known today.  Mrs. Levering was a daughter of James and Cora Mann, of Niles, who survive her, as do two sisters, three brothers and two children.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 3, 1926, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BODY REACHES NILES

The body of Mrs. Catherine Mann Levering, who died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 28, reached Niles this afternoon and was taken to the Rutherford Funeral Home where the funeral services will be held on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. Walter Osborn, pastor of the First Baptist church will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.  The husband of the deceased, William Levering, accompanied the body to Niles. Mrs. Levering's mother accompanied the body from Albuquerque to Chicago, and she will remain there until tomorrow.  The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Levering were taken to California by Mrs. Ethel Parsons, a sister of Mrs. Levering.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 5, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


FUNERAL TODAY

Funeral services for Mrs. William Laverenz[sic] were conducted this morning at the Rutherford undertaking rooms by Rev. W.C. Osborn, pastor of the First Baptist church.  Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery. The body of Mrs. Leverenz was brought to Niles on Thursday from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she died on May 28.  She was formerly Miss Catherine Mann

Note:  The spelling of the last name is inconsistent in the obituaries; the name is spelled Leverenz on the gravemarker.