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.

Early, Leona (Young) 1927-2022

Leona Early 
June 25, 1927-Aug. 8, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:13 pm Friday, August 12, 2022

Franco, Jose 1942-2022

Jose Franco, of Niles
Sept. 12, 1942-Aug. 19, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published online 3:49 pm Sunday, August 21, 2022

Jose Franco, 79, of Niles, passed away at his residence Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. Arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

 

Published on website of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services:

Obituary of Jose Maria Franco

Jose M. Franco, 79, of Niles, passed away at his residence, on August 19, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born on September 12, 1942 in Tivoli, Texas to the late Lupe and Cecilia (Gonzales) Franco.

Jose was retired from the courthouse in the city of Rockport, Texas where he worked for many years as head of maintenance. He was an avid bike rider and enjoyed watching sports, especially the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Astros and the Longhorns. He also enjoyed time spent with his family. He will be fondly remembered for always being in a good mood and easy going.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Jose is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Eucebio and Linda Franco of Niles, Michigan; his four nephews, Eucebio “Little Jimmy” Franco-Travier of Indianapolis, Indiana, Xavier De Franco of South Bend, Indiana, Eucebio “Shy” Franco-Berry of South Bend, Indiana and Onyshius Franco-Berry of Monroe, Michigan and many great-nieces and nephews and a ton of cousins in Texas and countless friends all over.  

Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 2:00p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Memories of Jose may be shared with his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

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

Patterson, Veronica Beth 1973-2022

Veronica Beth Patterson
March 6, 1973-Aug. 6, 2022

Published on website of Pike Funeral Home

OBITUARY

Veronica Beth Patterson, 49, of Bridgman passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at her home.

Cremation has taken place and at this time the family will be remembering her privately. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

Veronica was born on March 6, 1973, in Stratford, New Jersey, the daughter of Anthony and Barbara (Heaton) Belfino. First and foremost, Veronica cherished her children. In her free time, she enjoyed fishing, camping, going to the casino and cooking for others. Veronica’s compassion for others, wisdom, and insightfulness was admired and will be missed by all that knew her and loved her.

Survivors include her former husband: Andy Vernon; children: Anthony Michael Belfino and Olivia Rhonda Vernon; siblings: Patti (Ted) Coffeen and Erica Richardson; numerous nieces and nephews.

Veronica was also preceded in death by her father: Anthony Belfino and her son: Nathan Angel Vernon.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman.

Boyer, Burl K. 1938-2022

Burl K Boyer
November 5, 1938- August 19, 2022 (age 83)

Published on website of Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home

Obituary

Burl K. Boyer, 83, of Haines City, Florida passed away on August 19, 2022. Burl was born on November 5,1938 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Kenneth Boyer and Marguerite Inglerite Boyer. Burl proudly served our country in the US Marines Corps from 1958 to 1961 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal and received the Good Conduct Medal, 1st award. Burl worked for The Michigan Department of Transportation, Maintenance Division for 25 years, retiring in 1990. Burl was of the Methodist faith.  

Burl loved his family dearly, and he truly enjoyed getting visits and phone calls from his children. In his younger years Burl enjoyed traveling, especially to Northern Michigan. Burl also enjoyed telling stories about the past, always putting a smile on someone’s face. He enjoyed watching TV, particularly Western and Syfy movies, watching airplanes from any location, and riding his golf cart through the neighborhood, and lots of pepper on many foods. Burl will always be remembered by his family and friends as an easy going and friendly man.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his twin brother, Bruce Boyer. Burl leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving companion of 35 years, Cynthia Boyer; son, Burl E. “Skip” Boyer; daughters, Ginger Bicks and husband, Steven and Jamie Manas and husband, Tony; grandchildren, Derrick Inglis, Samuel Bicks and Aaron Bicks; and nephews, Craig Boyer and B. Todd Boyer. 

A Graveside service will take place on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Silverbrook Cemetery at 11:00am with Military Honors provided by the United States Marine Corps. 

Landeck, Alan G. 1946-2022

Alan Landeck
July 16, 1946-Aug. 18, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:36 am Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Alan G. Landeck, 76 of Niles, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Spectrum Lakeland Hospital.

Alan was born on July 16, 1946, in Niles to August and Agnes Landeck.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dorothy Kraft and brother, George Landeck.

Alan is survived by his wife, Jan, children; Scott Samolczyk of Niles and Tracie (Royce) Kuriata of Dowagiac, his granddaughter, Kyra Kuriata of Dowagiac and his sister, Virginia Hubber of Atlanta.

Alan honorably served in the Army during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Vietnam and Germany before returning stateside.

For many years Alan was a mechanic and did construction work including building his own home. When he wasn’t working, Alan enjoyed fishing and maintaining his yard and home he built. He also enjoyed spend many hours with family and friends.

Alan will be honored with a private Honor Guard Memorial.

 

VanNoppen, Daniel A. Zwightman 1851-1930

Daniel A. Zwightman VanNoppen
Sept. 23, 1851-Nov. 6, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, November 7, 1930, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DR. VAN NOPPEN, PHYSICIAN HERE FOR 30 YEARS IS DEAD
Passes Away After Ten Weeks of Affliction After Paralysis

Dr. Daniel Adrian Zwightman Van Noppen, 79, a physician in Niles for nearly 30 years, died on Thursday afternoon at 3:40 in the Van Noppen sanitarium in Fourth street, where he had maintained living and office quarters for 25 years. Ten weeks ago Dr. Van Noppen was first afflicted with a slight stroke of . . .illegible. . .. For one week of the ten, he had been a patient in Pawating hospital but except for that time he has been in his home under the care of Mrs. Van Noppen who was a trained nurse in the Chicago sanitarium before her marriage.

Dr. Van Noppen was born in Holland on Sept. 23, 1851. He receive his education for the practice of medicine in University of Brussels and in Paris and Germany. As a youth he served in the navy of his native country was stationed for some time in India. He came to the United states and to Chicago in 1893, the year of the world's fair. Upon deciding to practice in Michigan he was required to supplement his education with additional courses to conform to the state laws of Michigan. He was married to Minnie M. Fick, who survive[sic] him in Libertyville, Ill., in 1900. In 1901, they moved to Niles and lived for five years in the house at Fourth and Sycamore streets known as the Platt house and which was later replaced to make room for the home of F.J. Plym, which is now part of the Daily Star building. Purchasing the Elizah Murray property on Fourth street, Dr. Van Noppen opened it as a sanitarium and for many years it served as Niles' only hospital.

The two sons born to Dr. and Mrs. Van Noppen survive with their mother. They are Leon Van Noppen, of Chicago, and Dan Van Noppen, of Dowagiac. Three grandchildren also survive.

Dr. Van Noppen was a member of the Berrien County medical association. When in Holland he was a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 in the Rutherford chapel. The Rev. G.W. Webbink, pastor of St. John's Evangelical church will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. The pallbearers will be chosen from among the medical fraternity of Niles.

Friends who wish to view the body may call at the Rutherford Funeral home this evening and tomorrow.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, November 8, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL DR. VAN NOPPEN

Funeral services for Dr. A.R. Zwightman Van Noppen were held this afternoon. The Rev. W.G. Webbink, pastor of St. John's church, officiated. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. The following Niles physicians acted as pallbearers: john Ames, Clarence Gillette, B.D. Giddings, R.S. Waterson, H.C. Kling and L.M. Rutz. Burial will be made in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Trimble, Mahala 1862-1930

Mahala Trimble
Sept. 18, 1862-Oct. 24, 1930

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, October 25, 1930, page 4, col . 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: SISTER MRS. WEAVER DIES

Mrs. Mahala Trimble, age 63, sister of Mrs. Jesse Weaver of Niles, died at the Trimble home in Buchanan yesterday afternoon. Death followed a stroke of apoplexy suffered Wednesday. Mrs. Trimble had been ill for several months. Surviving besides Mrs. Weaver, are the son at whose home she died; three brothers, William and James Stiles, of Greenville, O., and Andrew Stiles of Niles. Four sisters, Mrs. Isaac Weaver of Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Ella Most and Mrs. Isaac Brown , both of Greenville, O. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the son's home at Buchanan with burial in Silverbrook cemetery here.