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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.

Sullivan, Mary (Neil)

editor Obituaries November 12, 2012

Mary N. Sullivan
Abt. 1804-Feb. 21, 1867


Niles Republican, Saturday, March 2, 1867, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

Died in this city on the 21st inst., at the residence of her sister, Mrs. H.C. Griffith, Mrs. MARY N. SULLIVAN, of Consumption, aged 62 years.

The deceased was the widow of the late William H. Sullivan, Esq., of this city, and daughter of the late Joseph S. and Olive R. Neil, of New Market, N.H., and where she resided in early life and also in Concord, where the name of Mary Neil was cherished, and will long be remembered by those who survive her there--As in early life she was a model girl, so in riper years was she a model woman adorning her sex. She leaves to mourn her loss three daughters, one own sister, and two half sisters and a brother, children of Maj. A.P. Stinson, with whom she was reared, and several nieces and nephews, none knowing or caring to know, but they were all of one family.  The deceased has many relatives and friends residing in N.H. and Maine, who will like her relatives and numerous friends here deplore her loss.  So amiable and lovely was she in her demeanor, that she won the esteem and good will of all with whom she mingled, and died as she lived, without one to reproach her.  Mrs. S., so far as is known to the writer, was never united to any christian church, yet ever gave the strongest evidence of her faith in the christian religion, by a "godly life and confirmation," being early taught by a sainted mother, whose example she followed. Her attachment to the M.E. church, while a youth, under the Ministry of Broachard, Ruter, Kelley, Stosts and Dow, became strong, which only increased in the west with riper years.   The Rev. A.J. Eldred, of Grand Rapids, ever a favorite preacher of the deceased and her family, accidentally being in the city, was solicited by the friends of the deceased to officiate at the funeral, which he cheerfully complied with on the 23rd inst., when all that remained of Mary N. Sullivan, was consigned to the last resting place on earth, in the beautiful Cemetery of this city, beside her late husband. It was remarked "it seemed as mourners, instead of friends who had come to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of a friend and neighbor," and so it verily seemed.  A vacuum is left in the family circle and in the neighborhood, not soon to be filled.  Consumption, that loathsome disease, which baffles the best medical skill, had been praying upon her constitution for years, but succeeded not in its mission till the evening of the 21st, when, without a groan or a struggle, Mrs. S. fell asleep among relatives and friends and such friends few possessed.  All that could be done to alleviate her distress and if possible stay that disease, was done by her able physician, her sister and friends, but all for vain, her saviour called and she was ready to depart and be with him, who while living, she acknowledged to be her Redeemer and Saviour. Peace be in her ashes.

Niles Republican, Saturday, April 6, 1867, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Chester Rollo, the City Sexton, submitted his quarterly report of interments in the Cemetery for the quarter ending March 31st, of which the following is a summary:

. . .

Feb. 23, Mrs. Mary S. Sullivan, age 52, years, native of New market, N.H., at Niels, of Consumption.

 

Waterbury, Calista (Mather)

editor Obituaries November 12, 2012

Calista Waterbury
1837-March 11, 1867

Niles Weekly Times, Thursday, March 14, 1867, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

In Chicago, on the evening of the 11th inst., CALISTA, wife of Charles Waterberry and daughter of the late Daniel W. Mather.

Niles Republican, Saturday, March 17, 1867, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED--In Chicago, Ill., on the evening of the 11th inst., COLISTA, wife of CHARLES WATERJAY, and daughter of the late Daniel W. Mather, formerly of this place.


Niles Republican, Saturday, April. 6, 1867, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Chester Rollo, the City Sexton, submitted his quarterly report of interments in the Cemetery for the quarter ending March 31st, of which the following is a summary:

. . .


March 14, Mrs. C.M. Waterbury, age 30 years, native of Elbridge, N.Y., at Niles, of Paralysis.

 

Wertenberger, Pete

editor Obituaries November 12, 2012

Pete Wertenberger
April 7, 1896-Aug. 19, 1970


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, August 19, 1970, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


Niles--Pete Wertenberger, 74, of 2804 S. 13th St., died at 6 a.m. today in his home, after an extended illness.

A retired farmer, Mr. Wertenberger was born April 7, 1896, in Howard City, Mich. He had lived here since 1960, coming from Warsaw, Ind. His wife, Leah, died in 1962. He was a veteran of World War I.

Survivors include one sister, Mrs. Laverne Brown of Phoenix, Ariz.; a brother, John H. Wertenberger of Indianapolis, Ind.; a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Cornwell of Niles; a half-sister, [illegible] Post of Belding, Mich. and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lester Young of the United Brethern Church of Warsaw, Ind., officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

 

 

Grant, John F. Sr.

editor Obituaries November 8, 2012

John F. Grant, Sr., 73
Dec. 25, 1938-Nov. 4, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 5:09pm Monday, November 5, 2012

Grant, Sr.

John F. Grant, Sr., age 73 years of Niles, Mich., died at 1:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at Kindred Hospital Northern Indiana in Mishawaka following a brief illness.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1938 in Springfield, Ohio to Howard and Viola (Ashing) Grant.  He graduated from Niles High School, and lived here most of his life.  He served in the United States Army, and was stationed in Korea.  He was employed at Modineer, and at the former Tyler Refrigeration and Nyloncraft.

John was a member of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles.  He was a vocalist and drummer for several area bands.  He enjoyed expanding his intellect through science journals, word puzzles, and challenging repairs in his home shop.  He is best remembered for his sense of humor.

On July 26, 1963 in Niles he married the former Mary Ellen Fisher with whom he had celebrated the forty-ninth anniversary of their marriage.

Surviving family includes his wife, Mary Ellen Grant, and their children, Fran (& Walter) Ludwig, John (& Emily) Grant, Jr., and Julie (& Joe) Hess, all of Niles and Vicki (& Jeff) Winslett of Galien, Mich., and Kimberly (& Russell) Schermerhorn of Milford, Pa.; grandchildren, Chris Ludwig, Lauren Ludwig, Allison Grant, Joey Hess, Derek Hess, Abigail Hess, Jessica Winslett, Joshua Winslett, Jordan Winslett, Jenna Winslett, and Steven Schermerhorn; great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Hayes; and John’s sister, Gertrude (& William Meyers of Niles, and brother, William H. Grant of Eau Claire, Mich., and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for John F. Grant will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by American Legion Post 26 in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of John may be made to the donor’s choice.

Engberg, Kathleen M. (Hannah)

editor Obituaries November 5, 2012

Kathleen M. Engberg, 88
July 23, 1924-Oct. 31, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:30pm Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Kathleen M. Engberg, age 88 years of Colony Court in Niles, Mich., died at 1:55 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012 at the Buchanan Meadows Living Center, Buchanan, Mich., following an extended illness.

She was born on July 23, 1924 in Middletown, Ohio to Lawrence and Blanche (Holloway) Hannah.  She was graduated from high school in Middletown, and employed at the former Sorg Paper Company (now Bay West division of Wausau Papers) in Middletown.  She has lived in Niles since January of 1960.

Kathleen was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles.  She was a sustaining member of the Niles Service League, and a member of the Monday Reading Club.  She always enjoyed helping others, including volunteering with the Pawating Auxiliary of Lakeland Community Hospital, and as a young mother, volunteering with the Girl Scouts of America as an adult leader of the local Brownies.  She also enjoyed walking outdoors.

On October 13, 1951 in Middletown she married Rudolph A. “Rudy” Engberg with whom she celebrated the 51st anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on Jan. 9, 2003.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, and by her brothers, Wilbur and William Hannah, who were twins.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Susan (& Dave) Majerek of Niles; grandsons David Majerek, Scott Majerek, and Chad Majerek; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Kathleen M. Engberg will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Faith United Methodist Church in Buchanan officiating.  Committal Services will be at the Graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles at 11 a.m. on Friday.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Kathleen may be made to Hospice at Home.

Plym, Francis J.

editor Obituaries November 4, 2012

Francis J. Plym
Sept. 16, 1869-Jan. 12, 1940

Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 12, 1940, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library


F.J. PLYM, INDUSTRIALIST, DEAD

BULLETIN

Business Leader,

Philanthropist,

Stricken Today

 

Francis J. Plym, Niles industrialist, philanthropist and president of the Kawneer company and Star Publishing company, died at 3:15 this afternoon.

Mr. Plym had been ill about ten days and had apparently been improving, when death struck suddenly.

Mr. Plym was 70 years old last September. Active to the last he had continued his executive work at the Kawneer plant, had carried on his daily routine of exercise, work and recreation until his most recent illness.

In doing so he had carried out his own theories that work was the all-enduring release from boredom and a means of remaining perpetually young.

News of his death came as a staggering blow to his family, his close friends and hundreds who have been associated with him in business and social contacts.

His interests were varied. Architecture was his profession and remained an absorbing interest even after he had left the profession to enter the industrial field.

Honors have come to him in professional, educational and other lines of service.  He was knighted in 1938 for his efforts in directing the American-Swedish Tercentenary, an honor conferred upon him by the king of Sweden.

His passing came after a pleasant holiday season with his family, four of whom survive--Mrs. Plym, his son, Lawrence, and two daughters, Mrs. Jack Troup and Mrs. George Grimes.

Arrangements for the funeral are incomplete.

 

 

 

Plym, Jennie B. (Barber)

editor Obituaries November 4, 2012

Jennie B. Plym
May 7, 1874-July 11, 1970


Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 13, 1970, page 1, col. 1&2, microfilm Niles District Library


Mrs. F.J. Plym, Niles benefactor, is buried today

 

Niles--Funeral services were held in Niles' First Presbyterian Church this afternoon for Mrs. Francis J. (Jennie B.) Plym, 96, who died early Saturday morning in her home on Topinabee Road after several years of failing health. The service was conducted by the Rev. Donald E. Gordon, associate minister.

Mrs.  Plym was recognized as an authority on Niles and area history and had collaborated with the late Mr. and Mrs. Ballard in publishing several books describing early Niles history, copies of which are at the Niles Historical Assn. and Niles Library.

She was also an avid collector of books pertaining to early American history and the expeditions of such explorers as Father Marquette, Charlevoix and others in the St. Joseph River and Great Lakes areas. An extensive collection of such volumes, including several by French historians, was donated to the Niles Library several years ago by Mrs. Plym.

Mrs. Plym's keen interest in literature prompted her  to donate to the city a new library in 1961. Of modern design, it is located at Main and Seventh Street, and replaced the Andrew Carnegie library on North Fourth Street which had long before outgrown its limited space.

Other interests of the deceased included work as an amateur botanist and ornothologist.  From the window of her home on the St. Joseph  River, Mrs. Plym spent many hours with field glasses watching and identifying many of the rare species of birds, which had their habitat in the area, which lead to her close interest in Fernwood.

She also had a keen interest in Indian lore, shared with her late husband, that resulted in an extensive collection of Sioux Indian artifacts.  Prior to his death in 1940, the collection was donated to the Fort St. Joseph Museum and is believed to be one of the finest of its kind in existence.

Mrs. Plym, the former Jennie Barber, was born May 7, 1874, in Rantoul, Ill. and spent her elementary and high school days in Holdrege, Neb. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1898, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

About the time of her graduation, the Barber family moved to Lincoln, Neb., where she met and married, on March 10, 1903, Francis J. Plym, a young architect getting his start in that city.

Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Kansas City,Mo., where Mr. Plym continued his work as an architect and where he developed and patented a greatly improved method for the setting of plate glass windows.  Their only son, Lawrence, was born while they lived in Kansas City.

While on a trip to Michigan in search of a plant site, Mr. Plym stayed overnight in Niles and liked the city so well he decided not to look further.

The original site of Mr. Plym's factory was the present location of the Kawneer Co. plant on North Front Street. The firm grew rapidly and, as it prospered, the Plyms shared their benefits with the community.

On of the early family gifts to Niles was a 67-acre tract which included Plym Park Golf Course, playground and athletic field. Because the city had no hospital, the Plyms purchased, in 1925, the Dresden home on St. Joseph Avenue, known as "Castle Rest," and remodeled it into a hospital. It was announced on Dec. 24, 1925, as a Christmas gift to the city and remained as one of the family's favorite charities.

In addition to widespread philanthropics in the Niles area, gifts included the Senior Citizens' Home in Mr. Plym's home parish in Backaby, Sweden. Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., and Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, as well as an endowed room of the John Morton Building in Philadelphia, a building erected by persons of Swedish ancestry to commemorate the landing of Swedish peoples in Delaware in 1638.

They also founded the Plym Fellowships in Architecture and Architectural Engineering at the University of Illinois, from which Mr. Plym graduated, to allow recipients a year of study and research abroad in their chosen fields.

Because of his interest in Swedish American affairs, Mr. Plym was appointed as chairman of the Swedish-American tercentenary observance held in the 1930s and was later cited for his work by the king of Sweden, who decorated him with his country's Order of Vasa.

Over the years, Mrs. Plym's interests included the Women's Progressive League and Ladies Historical Society. She was a charter member of the Niles Garden Club and Niles College Club, later called the American Association of University Women. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and, at one time, superintendent of its Primary Department.

Survivors include a son, Lawrence, of Niles, a daughter, Mrs. Marian Troup, of San Marino, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  Another daughter, Mrs. Helen Plym Grimes, died several years ago.

Interment was in Silverbrook cemetery.

The family has requested that memorials be sent to Niles Public Library, Pawating Hospital, First Presbyterian Church or Fernwood, Inc.

 

 

  1. Plym, Lawrence J.
  2. Plym, Mary P. (Lipincott)
  3. Young, Clayton D.
  4. Olmstead, Marie T.

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