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.

Woodford, Etta Joy

Etta Joy Woodford
1858-May 11, 1890


Niles Republican, Thursday, May 22, 1890, page 5, col. , microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

 

The subject of his brief memoir passed peacefully away on Sunday, May 11, at 11:30 a.m.

Etta Joy was born in Climax, Mich., in 1858, and at her death was approaching her thirty-third year.  Her father was the Rev. H.M. Joy, a much beloved but now glorified  minister of the gospel. In 1878 Etta was united in marriage to Mr. Ed. Woodford, of Niles. A family of four girls as sweet as ever were given to parents has cheered their home. In disposition Mrs. Woodford was amiable, ever ready to assist in every good work, She won for herself many friends. After one week's illness of typhoid pneumonia, notwithstanding all that her physician could do for her, she succumbed to the disease. The husband and motherless children have the deepest sympathy of all. Do we weep? Yes! But not as those who have no hope. In conversation with her on the Wednesday previous to her death she assured me of her trust in her Savior, and expressed a desire to live to bring her children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and also to work for the welfare of souls and the prosperity of the church in this place.  These with other considerations bring light to us in this hour when no human voice can cheer us, no human hand lift us up.  To the bereaved: Let me ask you to look beyond the dark cloud that rests on your home, and may the memory of the deceased be ever with you as a sacred treasure, exercising, perhaps, a greater influence than would have been possessed by the loved one if still in the land of the living.

Many of us know that the recollections of loved ones are a source of strength and tender joy to us, therefore, dismiss your painful forebodings.

The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. A.M. Gould, who was assisted by Revs. Levi Master and A.H. Ranton.

 

 

 

Woodford, Laura

George Henry Woodford
abt. 1872-Dec. 13, 1879   

Laura Woodford
abt. 1875-Dec. 15, 1879


Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 24, 1879, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS

In this city, on Saturday, the 13th inst., George Henry, son of mr.and Mrs. Renselaer Woodford, aged. 7 years.
Also, on Monday, at 3:a.m., Laura, daughter of the above named, aged 4 years, both of scarlet fever.

Woodford, George Henry

George Henry Woodford
abt. 1872-Dec. 13, 1879


Laura Woodford
abt. 1875-Dec. 15, 1879

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 24, 1879, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATHS

In this city, on Saturday, the 13th inst., George Henry, son of Mr.and Mrs. Renselaer Woodford, aged. 7 years.
Also, on Monday, at 3:a.m., Laura, daughter of the above named, aged 4 years, both of scarlet fever.

Worm, Henrietta

Henrietta Worm
Sept. 18, 1881-June 5, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 6, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIES AT HOME

Mrs. Henrietta Worm, 66, died at 9:25 p.m. last night at her rural route two residence. She had been ill two years with a heart condition.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pifer funeral home with the Elder Busse of the South Bend and Niles Apostolic churches officiating.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

Surviving are the husband, Carl whom she married April 22, 1901; and the following children, George, Herbert, Walter, Arthur and Mrs. Gertrude Dittmar; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Worm was born in Germany Sept. 18,1881. She came to Niles 30 years ago from South Bend.

 

Eckler, George Washington

 

George Washington Eckler
January 24, 1898- October 29, 1947

GEORGE W. ECKLER, Niles, MI Oct. 30, 1947, Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Kiger funeral home for George Washington Eckler, 48, who died at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday in his home at 621 French street, Niles, after an illness of 10 months. The Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the Evangelical and Reformed church will officiate, and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Mr. Eckler was born in Berrien county north of Buchanan, November 24, 1898, and had spent most of his life in Niles. He was employed for 25 years by the National Standard Company. On August 31, 1915, he married Hazel Bowerman in South Bend. He leaves his wife, Hazel Eckler, a daughter, (Alice May) Mrs. Raymond G. Pressnall of Niles; a grandson, Raymond C. Pressnall, a brother, Fred Eckler of Barron lake; and two half-brothers, Raymond Rupert of Niles and Frank Rupert of Villa Grove, Ill.

Herald Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI Thursday, Oct. 30, 1947. Submitted by 2nd Cousin - Anita (Eckler) Frucci Rodgers

 

Goodsell-Loane, Lydia (Swartz)

Lydia Goodsell-Loane
March 10, 1864-Aug. 27, 1931


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 27, 1931, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. GOODSELL-LOANE IS STRICKEN AT HER HOME

Passes Away After Months of Illness and intense Suffering

 

Mrs. Lydia Goodsell-Loane, 67, died at 10:50 this monring in her home at 24 N. St. Joseph Avenue, where for 18 months she had been bed-ridden and her death released her from many months of intense suffering.

Mrs. Loane was born in Niles, on March 10, 1864, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Swartz, pioneer residents of Portage Prairie, having gone there from Pennsylvania.  Mrs. Loane spent most of her life in Niles. She was married here to George Loane.[sic] He died in 1897 while they were living in Crawfordsville, Ind.  After his death his widow returned to Niles and had since lived here continously. The four children born to Mr.and Mrs. Goodsell survive their mother. They are Louis and Floyd Goodsell of Niles, Mrs. Sadie Goodsell Sweet, wife of John L. Sweet of Chicago, and Howard Goodsell, of Dowagiac. Mrs. Goodsell was married to George W. Loane in 1905. He died in 1909. Besides her children Mrs. Loane is survived by one sister, Mrs. George W. Clark, of Chicago, who is expected for the funeral services and by three brothers, Jacob Swartz of Edwardsburg, Frank Swartz of South Bend and Milton Swartz of Niles.

Mrs. Loane was a member of the Presbyterian church for many years.

Funeral services have been arranged for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 28, 1931, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL MRS. G.W. LOANE


Funeral services for Mrs. Ludia[sic] Loane will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 in her home, 24 N. St. Joseph Ave.  The Rev. Fox of Dowagiac will officiate. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 31, 1931, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday afternoon for Mrs. Lydia Goodsell Loane, 24 N. St. Jsoeph avenue by the Rev. Joseph Fox, of Dowagiac. The following served as pallbearers: W.C. Rice, Fred Cook, Hardy Langston, Charles Roskay, Clarence Webber, of Kalamazoo,and U.P. Leader of Dowagiac. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.  Mrs. Loane was born in Niles, on March 10, 1864. She was marred here to George Goodsell. He died in 1897, while they were living in Crawfordsville, Ind. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goodwell survive their mother, they are Louis and Floyd Goodsell of Niles, Mrs. John Sweet of Chicago,and Howard Goodsell, of Dowagiac. Mrs. Goodsell was married to George W. Loane in 1905. He died in 1909.  Besides her children Mrs. Loane is survived by one sister, Mrs. George W. Clark of Chicago and by three brothers, Jacob Swartz of Edwardsburg, Frank Swartz of South Bend and Milton Swartz of Niles. Those from out of the city who attended the funeral services were, Mrs. W.J. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Sweet, Mrs. Harry Lord, Mrs. Marie Linder, Mrs. Chas. Kaekway, all of Chicago; Frank Swartz, Wm. Curl, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. David Heintzleman and Mrs. Clara Fox, of South Bend, Mr.a nd Mrs. . . [Illegible]. .Phillips, U. P. Leader, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edward, Mr.and Mrs. Howard Goodsell and daughter, of Dowagiac, and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Webber, Kalamazoo

Goodsell, Floyd M.

Floyd M. Goodsell
November 20, 1889-November 16, 1944


FORMER RESIDENT DIES AT DOWAGIAC


Floyd M. Goodsell, 54, of Dowagiac, until seven years ago a resident of Niles, died Thursday night at 9:15 in the Lee Memorial hospital from a heart ailment.

He was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., Nov. 20, 1889, a son of George and Lydia Goodsell.  He moved to Niles with his parents while a small boy, and spent most of his life here.

In partnership with his brother, Howard Goodsell, with whom he also lived, he operated an electric shop in Dowagiac. He was a member fo the Elks lodge of Dowagiac, and a prominent fisherman.

Survivers[sic] are a sister, Mrs. Sadie Sweet, Chicago; a brother, Howard Goodsell, Dowagiac; three nephews, George and Henry Goodsell, Niles, and Pvt, Robert Goodsell, in Persia, and a niece, Pvt. Barbara Goodsell, Washington, D.C.

After Saturday night, friends may call at the McLaughlin funeral home where services will be conducted at 2:30 Monday.  Burial will be in the Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.


(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 17, 1944, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Goodsell Burial Made at Silverbrook

Christian Science services were held today for Floyd M. Goodsell, 54, of Dowagiac, formerly of Niles, who died Thursday.  Rites were conducted at the McLauchlin funeral home with Mrs. Betty Patch as reader. Interment was made in the Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.  His niece, Pfc. Barbara Goodsell of Washington, D.C. was expected to arrive in time for the services today.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 20, 1944, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)