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.

VanSkiver, Carl C.

Carl C. VanSkiver
July 17, 1877-Jan. 27, 1945


Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 29, 1945, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


SERVICES TUESDAY FOR NYC EMPLOYE

 

Carl C. VanSkiver, 57, of 1505 Clarendon avenue, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in his home following a cerebral hemorrhage.

He was born in Walton, Ind., July 17, 1877, and came to Niles from Logansport, Ind., 23 years ago. He was married Jan. 12, 1907 in Marion, Ind., to Alma Rush.

VanSkiver was air brake inspector on the New York Central railway at Kalamazoo.

Surviving are the widow, three children, Mrs. Lyle Bachman, Mrs. Duane Larson and mrs. Gerald Abair, all of Niles; three grandchildren, and two sister, Mrs> Charles Wendling and Mrs. Maude DeHaven, Logansport.

Friends may call at the family home where funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Christian Science service will be read by Charles Kitterer. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Walters, Daniel E.

Daniel E. Walters
June 8, 1864-Feb. 3, 1945


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 6, 1945, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

RITES SET FOR SPANISH WAR VET

 

Funeral services for Daniel E. Walters, 80, a Spanish-American was veteran, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer funeral home by the Rev. G.A. Steeby. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Walters, the father of the late Clarence Walters who died Dec. 21, and of Joseph E. Walters, Niles, died Saturday night in Veterans hospital, Marion, Ind.  He had been in poor health for three years.

He was born in Stubens county, O., on June 8, 1864.  Other survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Glenn Hitz, Gould City, two sons, Clyde and Wilfred Walters, Mishawaka; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, and a brother, Rutherford Walters, Ora, Ind.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 8, 1945, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library


WALTERS BURIED

American-Spanish war veterans were in charge of committal services in Silverbrook cemetery Wednesday for Daniel E. Walters, 80, father of the late Clarence Walters and Joseph Walters, Niles.  Walters died Saturday in Marion, Ind. Funeral services were conducted in the Pifer funeral home with American Legionnaires as pallbearers. Mrs. Glenn Hitz, Gould City, a daughter, came to Niles for the funeral.

White, Florence

Florence White
Jan. 16, 1867-Feb. 27, 1945


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 28, 1945, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss White, 78, Expires Tuesday

 

Culminating more than four months of serious illness, Miss Florence White, 78, died at her home at 928 Hickory street Tuesday afternoon at 4:15.

Born Jan. 16, 1867, in Howard township, Cass county, she had lived all her life in Niles and vicinity. For many years, she has made her home with her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Garrett.

She was a member of the Methodist Church and the Berean Sunday School class.

In addition to her sister, Mrs. Garrett, the deceased is survived by two brothers, William O. White, rural route one,and Charles E. White, Niles.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 Friday by the Rev. L. George Beacock with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Allen, John I.

John I. Allen
Aug. 16, 1905-March 12, 1974


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 13, 1974, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--John I. Allen, 68, of 709 Ferry St., died at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in his home.

A retired Clark Equipment Co. employe, Mr. Allen was born Aug. 16, 1905, in Conway, Ark., and had lived here since 1945, coming from Kansas City, Kan. On Jan. 31, 1946, in Buchanan, he married the former Corine Vassar, who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Charles of Niles, William of the Republic of Philippines and Clarence of Tehran, Iran; a daughter, Miss Sheila Allen of South Bend; a half-brother, Othur Tanner of Dumas, Ark., and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 15, 1974, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--Funeral services for John I Allen, 68, of 709 Ferry St., who died Tuesday , will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home.

Officiating will be the Rev. C.E. Wilson of the Franklin A.M.E. Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

A wake will be held from 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.






Baird, Mary Evelyn

Mary Evelyn Baird
Feb. 13, 1915-March 31, 1974


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 1, 1974, page 3, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Mrs. Mary Evelyn Baird, 59, of 2011 S. Third St., died at 2:20 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

An employe of the Payroll Department of Simplicity Pattern Co., Mrs. Baird was born Feb. 13, 1915, in Michigan City, Ind., and had lived here since 1920. Her husband, Armond, died in 1962.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John (Diana) Nelson of Eureka, Calif.; two brothers, Elmer Pfister of Swartz Creek, Mich., and Roger Pfister of Niles; a half-brother, Harry Hollscher of Oglesby, Ill.; two sisters, Mrs. Oscar Schrumpf of Niles and Mrs. Florence McLain of Marshall; a half-sister, Mrs. Willard Seeger of Musing, Mich., and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Wyngarden of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Baumann, Gladys M.

Gladys Baumann
May 9, 1895-Oct. 7, 1968


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 8, 1968, page 14, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Gladys M. Baumann, 73, of 24 N. State St., died at 10:45 a.m. Monday in her home. She had been ill for some time.

She was born May 9, 1895, in Niles and was a lifetime resident. Mrs. Baumann is survived by her husband Hermann.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Leonard Putnam, pastor of the Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home after 7 tonight.

 

Benson, George Dwight


George D. Benson
Dec. 11, 1892-Jan. 13, 1974


Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 14, 1974, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES--George Dwight Benson, 81, of 1915 N. Fifth St., Died at 9:38 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital after an illness of one week.

The retired owner of Benson's Furniture, Mr. Benson was born Dec. 11, 1892, in Jamestown, N.D., and had lived here since 1910. On Oct. 8, 1914, in Niles, he married the former Jeanne C. Smith, who survives.

Benson was a member of St. Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge, the Niles Shrine Club, Saladin Temple of Grand Rapids, and the Scottish Rite of Grand Rapids.

Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Patricia Bachman of Flint; a sister, Mrs. Virginia Brothers of Niles, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with full Masonic rites administered by St. Joseph Valley Lodge. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Niles Shrine Club crippled children's fund.