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.
Edward Blee, Infant
Jan. 1926-April 28, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 29, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for the three-months-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Blee, who died yesterday were held this morning at St. Mary's Catholic church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.
Henry C. Ehrich
July 25, 1857-Feb. 26, 1945
Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 26, 1945, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
A resident of Niles since 1881, Henry C. Ehrick, 87, of 910 Regent street, died at 7:15 this morning in his home where he had been ill three weeks.
He was born in Germany July 25, 1857, and came to Niles from there in 1881. He was married to Johanna Eweis here in 1881.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Catherine Boyer, Chicago; three sons, William A. Ehrick, Sr.,and George A Ehrick, South Bend, and Harry F. Ehrick, Mount Bella, Calif. and a sister, Mrs. Dora Linderman, Ann Arbor.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 1, 1945, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for Henry C. Ehrick, 87, were held at 2 this afternoon in the St. John's Evangelical church with the Rev. Theo Eisen in charge. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. He died at his home, 910 Regent street Monday morning.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 2, 1945, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
A large number of out-of-town relatives were in Niles Thursday for the funeral of Henry C. Ehrich, 87, who died at his home 910 Regent street, Monday morning.
The Rev. Theo Eisen, in conducting services in St. John's Evangelical church, paid tribute to Mr. Erhrich's long record of faithful service in the church. He was the oldest member of the congregation, both in age and length of membership.
Relatives from out of the city included a sister, Mrs. Louis Lindeman, Ann Arbor, Mrs. August Gembella, Ann Arbor, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ehrich and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ehrich, of North Liberty, Mrs. Mary Hannen, Mishawaka, Mrs. Anna Kiefer, Holland.
Mrs. William Mtchell, Jackson, the Rev. Edwin Ehrich and Frank Ehrich, of Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. George Ehrich, Mr. and Mrs. Don Ehrich and Mr. and Mrs. William Ehrich, of South Bend, and Mrs. Lloyd Boyer, of Chicago.
Acting as pallbearers were Mark Thompson, Donald Connor, William Zerr, Herman Schrumpf, Henry Exner and LeRoy Forler.
Susan "Jennie" Davis
1844-May 18, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 18, 1926, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Jennie Davis, 85, died Tuesday morning at 5 o'clock at the home of her nephew, Wyman Carpenter, six miles east of Niles. Mrs. Davis formerly lived in Boulder, Colo., but since the death of her husband, three years ago, she had been making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter. The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Presbyterian Church in this city. Rev. H.T. Scherer will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.
Rose Dustman
1857-Apr. 4, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 5, 1926, page 4, col. 7 & 8, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Rose Dustman, 70, wife of William Dustman, 403 N. Fourth street, died of heart disease Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Mrs. Dustman had been in ill health and partially an invalid for about a year.
With her husband she came to Niles one year ago from Three Oaks, but previous to living in Three Oaks they had been located in Freeport, Ill., for 33 years.
Mr. Dustman is a carpenter by trade. Besides her husband, Mrs. Dustman is survived by two daughters, Mrs. C.F. Snyder, River Bluff, Niles, and Mrs. Frank Chamberlain.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Troost and Augustine undertaking rooms. Charles Kitterer, of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, will read the service. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 6, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for Mrs. W.M. Dustman, 403 N. Fourth street, were conducted this afternoon at the Troost and Augustine chapel. Charles Kitterer, reader of the Church of Christ, Scientist, officiated. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.
Edward L. Finley
Oct. 25, 1896-Apr. 1, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 1, 1926, page 8, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Edward Finley, 29, a son of Mr.and Mrs. Clarence Finley, 1025 Lake street, died today at noon in Chicago, after a few days of illness with pneumonia. His wife, his daughter and his mother were with him when he died. The body will be brought to Niles for burial, but the funeral plans have not been completed.
The young man was a native of Niles and grew to manhood here. During the world war he was stationed in a camp in Mexico. He had for several years made his home in Los Angeles, Calif., but last summer came to Niles for a visit. He went from here to Chicago and had decided to return to California just before he became ill. Besides his parents and widow he is survived by one daughter and by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Thomas Travick, Lester, Edgar, Junior, Seth and Norma, all at home except Mrs. Travick who lives on Tenth street, and Homer Finley, of Chicago.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 2, 1926, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for Edward Finley will be held at the A.M.E. church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Hurd will officiate. Burial will take pace in Silver Brook cemetery
Jean Marie Foss
1924-1926
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 18, 1926, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services for Jean Marie, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Foss, 910 Sycamore street, were conducted this afternoon by Rev. G.W. Webblink, pastor of St. John's church. Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery. Among those from out of the city who attended the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Matt Phillips, Leo Phillips and family, Mrs. Katie Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. John Nyloff, Michigan City; Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Stear, Mr. and Mrs. W. Tim and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stroup, Buchanan; Mr. and Mrs. R. Muntz, Sturgis; Mrs. F. P. Burt, Chicago.
Nellie Forsythe
1866-Apr. 30, 1926
Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 30, 1926, page 1, col. 6 & &, cont. page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The announcement of the death this morning of Mrs. A.W. Forsythe, 15 S. Third street, came as a shock to her relatives and wide circle of friends in this city. The immediate cause of death was heart disease, from which Mrs. Forsythe had long been a sufferer, but as she bravely and cheerfully discharged the duties of her home and in connection with other activities, the seriousness of her condition was not often realized by friends. She became ill a few days ago with a severe cold which aggravated the heart trouble and on Wednesday evening her condition became alarming. Yesterday an improvement was noted by this morning she passed away at 1:30 o'clock as she slept.
Mrs. Forsythe's maiden name was Nellie Pinegar. She was born in Detroit, but when very young she moved to Jackson, and had since lived in Jackson and Niles. She was married to Mr. Forsythe in Jackson. The husband survives her as do also two children, Miss Marian and Oren, both at home. Besides the husband and children. Mrs. Forsythe is survived by three sisters and three brothers. They are: Mrs. C.W. Schempf, A.C. Pinegar, William H. Pinegar, Hollis F. Pinegar, Mrs. Verne Wade Badgley and Mrs. Clifford Nixon, all of Jackson.
Mr. Forsythe was transferred to Niles from Jackson about 18 years ago as division foreman of buildings and water supply for the Michigan Central railway company, and the family had since resided here. Mrs. Forsythe was interested in a number of activities but outside of the home to which she was devoted she gave most attention to activities of the Presbyterian church. She had long taught in the Sunday school, had served in various capacities in the Ladies Aid society as an officer, and had been at the head of several other departments of work in the church at various times, giving untiringly of her time and strength to these duties. She was a member of the Niles Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and had served as an officer in that order.
Mrs. Forsythe had once written . . . [illegible] . .of a friend, "a beautiful life does not end in death," and the beautiful memories which her grief stricken family and friends will cherish concerning her emphasizes this truth.
The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Presbyterian church. Rev. H. T. Scherer will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 3, 1926, page 4, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
Funral[sic] services for Ms. A.W. Forsythe were conducted Sunday afternoon in the Presbyterian church before a large gathering of sorrowing relatives and friend. The high esteem in which Mrs. Forsythe was held was attested in part by the numerous beautiful floral tributes. The services was conducted by Rev. H.T. Scherer, pastor of the church, in which Mrs. Forsythe had for many years worshipped and actively assisted in its work. Mrs. Albert Vettre and Rex Leach sang, "Tarry With Me," and "Jesus Lover of my Soul."
The following carried the casket to its last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery: N.H. Bacon, T.C. Hance, C.E. Moon, Roy Merritt, George Earl and Fred Peters.
Among those from out of the city who attended the services were the following Michigan Central officials as an expression of sympathy for Mr. Forsythe, head of the building and water supply department of the railway company, and his family: H.A. Horning, superintendent of buildings; John Harden, assistant superintendent of buildings; Al Neice, building architect; Frank Hodge, building department's chief clerk, George Collie, chief steam fitter and plumber; William Etic, shop foreman, and William Hart, scale inspector, all of Jackson.
Among the relatives and other friends present were: Mr. and Mrs. Adam Miller, Dr. Charles Frankfurth, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kaiser and Miss Elma Forsythe, Detroit; William Hollis, William Cummings, Charles Pooley, Lou Johnson, Chicago: Mrs. Otto Tagsold, Blissfield, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Hessellink, Kalamazoo, Hollis, William and Alfred Pinegar and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Pinegar, Jr., and daughter; Mr. and Mrs. V.W. Badgley, C.W. Schempf, Russell Schempf, Merle Shipley, Mrs. George Bradshaw, W.L. Pinegar, Mrs. C.E. Nixon, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Rudolph, of Jackson; and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Christy and daughter, Mildred, and Dale Murphy, Dowagiac.