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.

Kaser, Loah I.

Loah I. Kaser
March 16, 1894-Nov. 5, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 7, 1980, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library


BLOOMINGTON, Ind.--Mrs. Loah I. Kaser, 86, of Bloomington, Ind., formerly of Niles, died at 10 pm. Wednesday in the Bloomington Convalescent Center.

She had retired in 1967 after working for Brandywine Schools.

She was born on March 16, 1894 in North Liberty, Ind. and had spent most of her life in the Niles area.

She was married in 1922 in South Bend to Arthur L. Kaser. He died in 1956.

Survivors include two sons, David of Bloomington and Kent of South Bend; a daughter, Mrs. Barbara Standiford of Seattle; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Welsheimer North Chapel, 52803 Business Route U.S. 31, South Bend.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 8, 1980, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


BLOOMINGTON--Funeral services for Mrs. Loah I. Kaser, 86, of Bloomington, Ind., and formerly of Niles, who died at 10 p.m. Wednesday, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Welsheimer North Chapel, 52803 U.S. 31, South Bend.

Rev. David Jenkins of the Bertrand Bible Church, will officiate and burial will take place in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call between 2 and 5 and 7 and 9 p.m. Sunday.

 

Meyer, Christian

Christian Meyer
July 19, 1843-June 4, 1926


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


CHRIS MEYER, 82, DIES AFTER LONG RESIDENCE HERE

Had Live on Farm Northwest of Niles 67 Years.

WAS HEAD OF 5 GENERATIONS

Left 12 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great, Great Grandson

 

Christian Meyer, 82 and a resident of Berrien county for 67 years, died Friday morning at his home, 403 West Main street. Two weeks ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis. he had been unconscious since he was stricken on Thursday . . .[illegible] . .

Mrs. Meyer was born in Germany, July 19, 1843, and was the youngest of a family of six children. Accompanied by his mother, he left Germany when he was 14 years old, and came to America and directly to Berrien county where he had since resided. His mother died four years afterr they came to America and at the age of 18 he was left to make his way entirely alone.  On February 26, 1867, he was married to Mary Nieb and that year he bought 40 acres of the farm four  miles northwest of Niles which has since been the family home.

Mr. Meyer erected a log cabin on the farm and it was in the cabin that their eight children were born. Later the cabin was replaced by the present home. Mrs. Meyer died in February, 13 years ago, on November 12, 1917.

Mr. Meyer later was married to Mrs. Anna Miller, who survives him. They at once took up their residence at 403 West Main street and had since lived there.  Mr. Meyer is survived by a widow and by seven children who are: John Meyer, of Pomona, Calif.; Mrs. William Linsenmier, Edward, William who resides in the old home, Charles, Clarence and Mrs. Sophia Parks, all of Niles. Another daughter, Mrs. Ida Linsenmier, died 20 years ago. Besides the widow and children, Mr. Meyer is survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.  The latter is Donald Alan Burge, son of Mrs. Bernice Murphy Burge.  With the death of Mr. Meyer the head of a family of five generations is removed.

While engaging in general agriculture until he retired Mr. Meyer made a specialty of raising high grade cattle and stock. He enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout the community and was highly respected. Until stricken with paralysis two weeks ago he was active and was keenly interested in the affairs of the community.

The funeral plans have not been made as it is possible that John Meyer, the son who resides in Pomona may be able to come to Niles for the services. It is now planned not to hold the service before Monday afternoon.


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

FUNERAL MONDAY

Funeral services for Christian Meyer, who died Friday morning will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at his home by Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church.  Interment will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. It was first thought proable[sic] that Mr. Meyer's son, John, who resides in Pomona, California, would be here for the services, but it has been learned that it is imposible[sic] for him to come.

Nichols, Victoria E.

Victoria E. Nichols
Feb. 21, 1951-Nov. 5, 1980

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 6, 1980, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


Miss Victoria E. Nichols, 29, of 603 N. Redbud Trail, Buchanan, died at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph Hospital at South Bend following a brief illness.

She was a former employee of the Holiday Inn in Niles.

She was born Feb. 21, 1951 in Rochester, N.Y. and had resided here since 1971, coming from South Bend.

Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Mary Jane Nichols of Niles; and two sister, Mrs. Jean Harmon of Northport, Alabama, and Mrs. Christine Beczkiewicz of Indianapolis.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. The Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg will officiate.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Halbritter Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.



Nielsen, Lawrence H.

Lawrence H. Nielsen
Oct. 3, 1900-Nov. 11, 1976

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 11, 1976, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--Lawrence H. Nielsen, 76, of 123 N. 13th St., died at 1:35 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.

A member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and a veteran of the U.S. Army in World War II, he was a retired special agent of the Auto Owners Insurance Co. of Lansing.

Mr. Nielsen was born Oct. 3, 1900 in New York City, and had lived here since 1970, coming from Battle Creek. On Aug. 1, 1970 in Niles, he married Deborah E. Benjamin, who survives.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Marie Buck of Battle Creek and Mrs. Ruth O'Shann of Costa Rico, Central America.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with Elder Ola D. Robinson of the Niles Westside Seventh Day Adventist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

 

Ostrander, William C.

William C. Ostrander
Oct. 19, 1902-Nov. 1, 1976


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 2, 1976, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

EDWARDSBURG--William C. Ostrander, 74, of Edwardsburg, died at 8 a.m. Monday from injuries received in a two car accident at Pine Lake Rd. and M-60.

A member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, he was a retired employe of the Penn Central Railroad.

Mr. Ostrander was born Oct. 19, 1902 in Mishawaka, Ind., and had lived his lifetime in the area. His wife, the former Ruth Mitchell, preceded him in death.

He is survived by a niece, Mrs. Earl (Aleta) Styers of Niles; a brother, Joseph of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; and a sister,  Mrs. William (Iva) Imbody of Ft. Wayne.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with Calvin Hargis of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the church.

 

Pease, Jerome

Jerome Pease
June 22, 1860-Feb. 21, 1945


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 22, 1945, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Jerome Pease, 84, Dies Wednesday

 

Jerome Pease, 84, one of the mail carriers on the three original rural routes established out of Niles in 1900, died at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Pawating hospital after three months illness.

He had been confined to the hospital for eight weeks.

He was born in Howard township, Cass county on June 22, 1860 on the farm which his grandparents had bought from Michigan territory.

Pease was retired as a mailman on June 22, 1929. His wife, Anna, died in 1942.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Ethel Young, Niles; and Mrs. Phyllis Schaus, Watervliet; a son, Palmer Pease, Mishawaka, and eight grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home. Services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Methodist church of which he was a member, by the Rev. L. George Beacock. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.



Pfeil, Arthur C.

Arthur C. Pfeil
March 27, 1908-Oct. 19, 1968


Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 21, 1968, page 14, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Arthur C. Pfeil, 60, of 2119 E. Main St., who died at 3 a.m. Saturday in his home, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.

Rev. Arlan E. Schlundt, of St. John's United Church of Christ, will officiate. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mr. Pfeil, a retired office manager of Koontz-Wagner Electric Co., of South Bend, was born March 26, 1908, in Berrien Springs. He had been in poor health for several years. He was a lifetime area resident.

He was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ, the Niles Elks Lodge No. 1322, the St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4 F and AM; Saladin Temple AAONMS of Grand Rapids, The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend, the Gateway Shrine Club, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and Bend of the River Conservation Club.

Mr. Pfeil is survived by several nieces and nephews.

The St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4 F and AM will be in charge of Graveside rites.

Friends may call at the Halbritter-Swem Funeral Home.