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.

Wingeart, John M.

John Wingeart
Feb. 23, 1896-Dec. 31, 1990


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 2, 1991, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for John M. Wingeart, 94, of 2642 Miars Drive, Niles, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home by the Rev. Lloyd A. Phillips of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Burial will be at Silverbroook Cemetery.

Mr. Wingeart died at 5 a.m. Monday at his home following a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 23, 1896, in Pulaski County, Ind., and lived in Niles since 1921, coming from LaPorte, Ind.

Mr. WIngeart was a retired employee of National Standard Co. and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

On March 6, 1915, at LaPorte, Ind., he married Minnie Koch, who preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 1990.

Survivors include three daughter, Evalyn Gibbs of Niles, Helen Young of Centreville and Joyce Totten of Holt; a son, Jerold Wingeart of Parkton, Maryland; 28 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great grandchildren.

Two sons preceded him in death: Harlan Wingeart died Aug. 16,1989 and Erwin Wingeart died Oct. 6, 1986.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.

 

 

Zechlin, Albert R.

Albert R. Zechlin
Aug. 16, 1862-Jan. 19, 1906


Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 19, 1906, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


ALBERT R. ZECHLIEN

Died Yesterday at His Home on Thirteenth Street

 

Albert R. Zechilen[sic], who has been suffering for several months with cancer of the stomach, died yesterday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock at his home at 205 Thirteenth street.

Mr. Zechilen[sic] was born in Niles, August 16, 1862, and was 44 years of age.  Fraternally he was connected with the M.W.A., in which he carried $3,000 insurance for his wife. He was last employed at the paper mills. The deceased leaves a wife and four boys to mourn his death.

The funeral will be held from the residence at 2 p.m., and from St. John's Evangelical church at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The remains can be viewed at the residence, Saturday afternoon and Sunday until 2 p.m.  Rev. F. Rahn will officiate, and member of the Niles Camp, No. 900, will attend in a body.

 

Zechlin, Anna (Miller)

Anna Zechlin (Miller)
Oct. 24, 1859-July 15, 1922


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 15, 1922, page 6, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS TWO CITIZENS

 

Mrs. Mary Burt, mother of Charles Burt, chief of the Niles fire department, and Mrs. Anna Zechlin, mother of George Zechlin, assistant chief of the Niles fire department, died this morning at their respective homes.

Mrs. Mary Burt

Mrs. Mary E. Burt was born in mid-ocean while her parents were enroute from Germany to the United States to make their home. Her maiden name was Mary E. Michael. She was married to Stewart Burt, deceased, on May 25, 1872.

Mrs. Burt is survived by nine children, who are: Martin J. Burt of Pasadena, Calif., Frank E. Burt and Charles F. Burt of Niles, Mrs. Viola E. Hesen and Mrs. Edna L. Cobourn of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. Bessie M. Moore of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mrs. Neola A. Marston of Auburn, Ind., Mrs. Eva Scott and Mrs. Myrtle Clark of Niles, and by the following sisters and brothers who are Mrs. Frank Rush and Mrs. A. Petcher of Bremen, Ind., and George Michael of the state of Washington.

Mrs. Burt was highly esteemed in Niles as a good neighbor, a kind and loyal friend and many beside the immediate relatives deeply mourn her death.

The funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the house. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. Anna Zechlin

After a patiently borne illness of more than 15 months' duration Mrs. Anna Zechlin, widow of Albert Zechlin, died this morning at 6 o'clock at her home, 204 North Thirteenth street.  Mrs. Zechlin was a sufferer from a complication of diseases.

Mrs. Zechlin's maiden name was Anna Miller. She was born in Germany, October 24, 1859. When a child of about three years of age she came to Niles with her parents, Mr.and Mrs. Faultine Miller who are well remembered here. Thirty-one years ago Mr.and Mrs. Zechlin were married in Niles. Mr. Zechlin died about 17 years ago. Of the four children born to them, all survive their mother. They are George Zechlin, assistant fire chief; Frank, Earl and Eli, all of Niles.  Two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Weaver and Mrs. Eli Leach and one brother, Lewis Miller, all of Niles, also survive and Mrs. John Visel of this city is a half sister of the deceased.

The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence. Rev. P.G. Saffran, pastor of St. John's church, of which Mrs. Zechlin was a faithful and consistent member, will officiate.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mrs. Zechlin was a highly respected resident of Niles and her death brings sorrow to a large circle of friends. She was a member of the Ladies Aid society of St.  John's church, active in its work and will be sadly missed in that organization.

 

 

 

Zechlin, Bertha E. (Schneider)

Bertha E. Zechlin
Feb. 23, 1896-Dec. 29, 1990


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 2, 1991, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library


Funeral services for Bertha E. Zechlin, 94, of 1215 Sycamore St., Niles will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home by the Rev. Louie J. Schweppe of St. John's United Church of Christ.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Zechlin  died at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Detroit Nursing Home, following an extended illness.

She was born Feb. 23, 1896, in Niles. She had lived here most of her life, moving to Detroit in Nune, 1998.

On May 18, 1918, in Niles, she married Frank Zechlin, who preceded her in death on March 23, 1984.

Survivors include a brother, William Schneider of Niles, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ.

 

Zechlin, Earl A.

Earl A. Zechlin
Feb. 8, 1897-March 18, 1960


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 19, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Earl A. Zechlin, 63, 1343 Ferry st., died at 10:40 p.m. Friday in Pawating Hospital where he had been a patient since March 6.

Mr. Zechlin, a department manager at the Montgomery Ward & Co. store here, was born Feb. 8, 1897, in Niles, and was married on Nov. 5, 1933, in Community Church, New Carlisle, Ind., to Hulda L. Barnes. He was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and the Masonic Lodge here.

Surviving are: his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Winifred Lepel, Niles; three grandchildren, and three brothers, Frank, Eli and George Zechlin, all of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John's United Church of Christ, Evangelical and Reformed, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery with Masonic rites at the graveside. Friends are being received at the funeral home.

 

Zechlin, Frank L.

Frank L. Zechlin
Dec. 18, 1894-March 23, 1984


Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 26, 1984, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library


Frank L. Zechlin, 89, 2000 30th avenue North, St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Niles, died at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Sun Bay Hospital in St. Petersburg of an extended illness.

He was a member of the Niles Elks Club, a veteran of the World War I U.S. Army and a member of the Niles American Legion Post 26. He was a retired employee of National-Standard Co.

Born Dec. 18, 1894 in Niles, he married Bertha L. Schneider on May 18, 1918, also in Niles. She survives.

Surviving are several nieces and nephews.  A brother Eli Zechlin, died March 1, 1980.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Frederick S. West of St. John's United Church of Christ of Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the St. Johns' United Church of Christ.

 

Zechlin, George R.

George R. Zechlin
July 29, 1892-Oct. 14, 1962


Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 15, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal rites for George R. Zechlin, 70, of 623 N. Second St., who died at 4:45 p.m., Saturday at Pawating Hospital, will be conducted at 11 am., Tuesday, at Silverbrook Cemetery, with the Rev. Richard Fraser officiating.

He had been a hospital patient three days, and had been ill several months.

Mr. Zechlin was born here July 29, 1892, and lived his lifetime in Niles.

Survivors include a son, George R. Jr., Fennville; a daughter, Mrs. Charles Seaman, Ontario, Canada; and two brothers, Eli H. and Frank L., both of Niles.

He was a veteran of World War I and A life member of Niles Aerie No. 2094, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Friends are being received at the Kiger Funeral Home.