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.

Thompson, Mary Ann (Hance)

Mary Ann Thompson, 87
July 20, 1925-Sept. 12, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:44pm Thursday, September 20, 2012

Mary Ann Thompson, 87, former long-time resident of Niles, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, at her home in Baroda, surrounded by love, following an extended illness.

She was born July 20, 1925, in South Bend to Benjamin M. and Esther C. (Cranston) Hance and lived in Berrien County all of her life. She graduated in 1943 from Niles High School, where she was recognized as a proficient vocal musician, a talent she enjoyed the rest of her life. She was employed for many years at the former Thayer’s Jewelers in Niles.

Mary Ann was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles. She was also a member of the Ladies’ Reading Club in Niles, and as a young mother was an adult volunteer to the local troops of the Girl Scouts of America.

On March 28, 1947, at Trinity Church she married James E. Thompson, with whom she celebrated the 58th anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on March 26, 2006. She was also preceded in death by her brother and sister, T. C.

Thompson

Hance and Dare Downey.

Surviving family includes their children, Janis D. Thompson of Baroda, Thomas James (Kathryn) Thompson, U.S.Navy-Retired, of Allegan; and Gayle A. (Edward Armstrong) Thompson of DeWitt; granddaughter, Megan Dare Thompson; and great-grandchildren, Kayla and John; many nieces and nephews; and a special long-time caregiver, Shawna Kelley.

Services for Mary Ann Thompson will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. James Slack officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 27 at the church.

Contributions in memory of Mary Ann may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Hospice at Home or the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Pettie, Joseph

Joseph Pettie, 63
May 24, 1949-Sept. 11, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:37pm Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Pettie

Joseph Glenn Pettie, 63, of James Street, Niles, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at the home of his sister in Buchanan following an extended illness.

He was born May 24, 1949, in Niles to Odis and Isabel (Underwood) Pettie.
Joseph attended Ferry Street Exceptional School in Niles.

He is survived by brothers, Jimmy (Dee) Pettie of Lebanon, Tenn., Kenny Pettie of Scottsville, Ky., and Terry (Doree) Pettie of Niles; sisters, Barbara Pettie of West Moreland, Tenn., and Carol (Walter) Benjamin of Niles; 26 nieces and nephews; 27 great-nieces and nephews; and two very special neighbors, Andy and Bev Sarratore.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Odis and Isabel Pettie; brothers Thomas and Odis Pettie Jr.; sister-in-law, Sandra Pettie; and nephew, Daniel Pettie.

Funeral services for Joseph Glenn Pettie will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Randy Pearman of the church officiating.  Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joseph lived on James Street his whole life where he had many friends whose lives he touched with love and laughter. He was a blessing to our lives that will be greatly missed by all.

Donations in memory of Joseph may be made to Hospice at Home.

Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.

Manchow, Linda Susan (Wagner)

Linda Manchow, 57
March 15, 1955-Sept. 2, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:17pm Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Linda Susan Manchow, 57, of Lincoln Avenue, Niles, died on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., following a brief illness.

She was born March 15, 1955, in Michigan City, Ind., to Norman Jerome and Mary L. (Woods) Wagner. Linda attended First Baptist Church in Niles and was there she married her partner of over 6 years, Vince Manchow, on April 15, 2010. He survives. Together, they enjoyed wine tasting and gourmet cooking. Linda also enjoyed mushroom hunting and both flower and vegetable gardening.

Linda worked for Honeywell Corporation for the last 18 years as a customer service manager and was privileged to travel the world with her job. Before employment there, she would babysit while devoting her time raising her 6 surviving children; Ryan (Janie) Gray, of Jacksonville, Fla., Donald (Theresa) Gray III, of LaPorte, Ind.,

Steven (Melissa) Gray, Joshua Gray, Andrew Gray and Kassandra, all of Niles. In addition to husband Vince, Linda is also survived by grandchildren Cody, Alex, Caleb, Elijah, Samuel, Nicholas and one on the way; brothers Tim (Cathy) Wagner, Tom (Nanette) Wagner, both of Rolling Prairie, Ind.; sisters Nancy (Marty) Fransted of Mishawaka, Michelle (Troy) Riley of Elkhart, Ind.; and mother-in-law Gleda Manchow, of Niles.

She was preceded in death by her mother.

Funeral services for Linda Susan Manchow will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Jim Wing ,of First Baptist Church, Niles, officiating. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Donations in memory of Linda may be made to First Baptist Church in Niles.

The Halbritter Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Weaver, Virginia (Schiele)

Virginia Weaver, 95
Feb. 23, 1917-Aug. 29, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:55pm Thursday, August 30, 2012

Virginia Elizabeth Maureen Weaver, 95, of Niles, died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, at home following an extended illness.

Virginia was born Feb. 23, 1917, in Logansport, Ind., to Fredrick and Mamie (Jann) Schiele. She graduated in 1935 from Niles High School. On June 14, 1941, in Niles, she married Donald Weaver, who preceded her in death.

Virginia worked at Noble Pontiac and Paul’s Toggery in Niles. She was a longstanding member of Grace United Methodist Church in Niles.

She is survived by her son, Geary (Linda) Weaver, of Joliet, Ill.; daughter, Linda (John Dickeson) Weaver, of Niles; three grandchildren, Timothy Weaver, of Salt Lake City, Nicole Salopek, of Troy, Ill., and Stephen (Nikki) Weaver, of Elwood, Ill.; and four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Kaylie and Alexis Salopek and Kacey Weaver.

In addition to her husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her brothers, Charlie and Aurthur Schiele, and sisters, Geraldine Ausmus and Lavdra Domer.
Services will be at noon Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Grace United Methodist Church in Niles with visitation two hours prior at the church.

Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Harker, Mary Jane (Fox)

Mary Jane Harker, 85
July 15, 1927-Aug. 21, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online  1:01am Thursday, August 23, 2012

Mary Jane Harker, 85, of Niles, died at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, at her home following an illness.

She was born July 15, 1927, in Berrien Springs to Delbert D. and Lillian Mary (Dunn) Fox, and graduated from Niles High School.

She was employed at Clark Equipment as an administrative coordinator, first in Berrien Springs and then in Jackson, retiring after 30 years of service.

She moved to Niles in 1983, living for many years on Ruth Layne before moving to Bond Street.

On Aug. 13, 1949, in Niles, she married Donald Eldon Harker, who preceded her in death on March 22, 1993. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Robert L. Fox and Delbert D. Fox Jr., and their sister, Gloria M. Helpingstine.

Mary Jane is survived by many nieces and nephews, including Delbert M. Werner, who helped provide her care.

Services for Mary Jane Harker will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the graveside of Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with the Rev. Randy Pearman of First Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

No visitation will be offered.

Contributions in memory of Mary Jane Harker may be made to Hospice at Home.

Bordner, Frank

Frank Bordner
June 18, 1876-Jan. 4, 1931


Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 5, 1931, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FRANK BORDNER DIED SUDDENLY ON SUNDAY

Passed Away Shortly after Being Stricken with Indigestion

 

Frank Bordner, 54, 924 Lake street, died with a half-hour after being stricken with indigestion on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Bordner had been down town during the morning and had returned to his home when he was stricken and died about 2 o'clock. Mr. Bordner had been employed as a polisher at the plant of the Kawneer company.

Mr. Bordner was born in Milford, Ind., on June 18, 1876. Before moving to Niles he had resided on a farm near Barron lake. Surviving Mr. Bordner is his wife, Mrs. Cora Bordner, three children, Ila, at home, Mrs. Edna Allbright who is also at home and William Bordner who resides on M-40; a brother, Samuel Bordner of Plymouth, Ind., and two sisters, Mrs. Emmett Hempfield of Gallion, Ohio and Mrs. Lydia Ann Freisch, of Nappanee, Ind.

The funeral plans are not completed but the services will be held at 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Beyrer, Minnie

Minnie Beyrer
Nov. 13, 1868-April 16, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 17, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Minnie Beyrer, 78, a life-long resident of Niles, died at 11:30 p.m., last night at her residence, 1128 North Front street. She had been ill three weeks.

Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Kiger funeral home with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Surviving are two sisters, Miss Sarah Beyrer of Niles, and Mrs. Louise Kehrer, Watervliet.

Miss Beyrer was born in Bertrand township, Nov. 13, 1868. She was a member of the First Presbyterian church.