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.

Meldrum, James W.

James W. Meldrum
July 26, 1909-Oct. 9, 1977

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 19, 1977, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

 

NILES--Chef James W. Meldrum 68, of 619 N. Clark St., died at 9:27 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

A retired chef at Mott's Apple Core restaurant, Mr. Meldrum had an accomplished career. He was a member of the American Culinary Federation and was an AAA Executive Chef de Cuisine. He was a veteran of World War II in the Canadian Air Force.

Mr. Meldrum was born on July 26, 1909, in Scotland, and lived in this area since 1955, moving from South Bend. On June 24, 1967, he married Ruth L. Lehman, in Niles. She survives.

Other survivors include a step-son, Gene Hunt of Byron, Mich.; a daughter, Mrs. Larry (Eleanor) Clymer of Niles; a step-daughter, Mrs. Betty Cavender of South Bend; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, the Rev. Arnold C. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

 

Merritt, Alta

Alta Merritt
Sept. 11, 1864-Sept. 11, 1942


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 12, 1942, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

 

MRS MERRITT DIES ON 78TH BIRTHDAY

 

Mrs. Alta Merritt, a Niles resident 60 years, died Friday night at 10:10 in her home, 749 Maple street, on her 78th birthday anniversary. She had been ill a week of complications.

Surviving are a son, Roy Merritt, Chicago, and five grandchildren,  Mrs. C. William McOmber, Decatur, Ill.; Miss Eileen F. Merritt and Mrs. Thomas Marshall, both of Chicago, and Thomas and Henry R. Merritt, both of whom are serving in the army.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home, where the service will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

 

Merritt, Sarah E.

Sarah E. Merritt
Dec. 25, 1846-Oct. 9, 1942

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday,October 9, 1942, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

 

SARAH MERRITT, 95, TAKEN BY DEATH

 

Mrs. Sarah E. Merritt, 95, believed to be Niles' oldest resident, died this morning at 4:45 in her home at 1522 Cherry street. She had been ill nine weeks.

Mrs. Merritt was born in Elizabeth City, N.J. Dec. 25, 1846, and came to Niles during her childhood. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Merritt, who died in 1917.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Arthur Thompson and Mrs. James Ray; a son, Frank Merritt, and a step-son, Arthur Gregg, all of Niles.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home, where the funeral will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday,October 12, 1942, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

 

MERRITT PALLBEARERS

 

Marvin Clark, Elton Rodgers, Floyd Leet, Robert Carey, Thomas Sanford and Richard Deibler served as pallbearers this afternoon at funeral servcies for Mrs. Sarah Merritt, 1522 Cherry street, in the Price and Kiger chapel. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Merritt, 95, who died Friday morning, was believed to be Niles' oldest resident.

 

Messner, Robert W.

Robert Messner
June 6, 1925-Dec. 8, 1987

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 10, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Robert W. Messner, 62, 1208 Breezy Beach Road, Niles, died at 5:56 p.m. Tuesday at Pawating Hospital follwing a brief illness.

He was a retired employee of Penn Central Railroad and a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in World War II.

Messner was born June 6, 1925 in Niles and was a lifetime resident of this area.

On Oct. 6, 1947, in Woodstock, Ill., he married Ruth C. Schultz, who died June 7.

Survivors include: a son, William of Niles; a daughter, Roberta Sportel of Kalamazoo; two brothers, Louis of Niles and Donald of Benton Harbor, and five grandchildren.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Leo Kostizen of St. Paul's Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Michigan Heart Fund.

 

 

Mihills, Leon D.

Leon D. Mihills
Jan. 20, 1911-Dec. 18, 1987

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 19, 1942, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Leon D. Mihills, 70, 1120 Cedar St., Niles, died at 4:30 a.m. Friday at his home following a brief illness.

He was retired from Tyler Refrigeration and a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Tyler-Clark Management Club.

Mihills was born Jan. 20, 1911, in Jones, and lived his lifetime in this area.

On June 19, 1937, in Niles, he married Eloise Mitchell, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, David of Grand Haven; a daughter, Carol Barris of Saginaw; a brother, Fred of Niles; a sister, Ruth Rumsey of Marcellus; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services are 1 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, where the Rev. Clayton Fairo of First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

 

Mong, George A.

George A. Mong
Dec. 28, 1879-Feb. 1, 1959

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 2, 1959, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

 

George A. Mong, 79, of 100 [illegible] avenue, died at 7:05 a.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient for several hours.

Mr. Mong was born Dec. 28, 1879, in Crown Point, Ind., and came to Niles in May, 1932, from Des Plaines, Ill. He had been employed in the maintenance department at the Michigan Mushroom Co. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert D. Horn and Mrs. Howard E. Wagner, both of Niles, and two granddaughters.

His wife, Lillian, preceded him in death on June 21, 1937.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Morris, Lena B.

Lena B. Morris
Oct. 3, 1879-Dec. 3, 1954

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 4, 1954, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Mrs. Lena B. Morris, 75, of 10 South Fourth Street, died at 11 o'clock Friday night at her home after a long illness.

Born Oct. 3, 1879, at Buchanan, she spent most of her life here. She was a member of the Methodist Church.

Survivors are two sons, Kenneth and Raymond Morris, both of Niles; 16 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and a brother, George Fowler of Alderson, W. Va.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home where the Rev. L. George Beacock will conduct services at 2 p.m .Monday. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.