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.

Briggs, Marna E. (Pethick)

editor Obituaries August 5, 2012

Marna E. (Pethick) Briggs
June 7, 1923 – Nov. 9, 2009

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:13am Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Marna E. (Pethick) Briggs, 86, formerly of Niles, died at 8:50 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2009 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following an extended illness.

Marna was born June 7, 1023 to Paul Robert Pethick and Mary Tinkham Pethick in Dowagiac. She attended Dowagiac Community Schools and lived in Niles most of her life. She formerly married Lee Dennis Briggs.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles, Four Flags Garden Club, Orchard Hills Country Club and Berrien County Home Economics Club. She held season tickets to University of Notre Dame football games. She loved her cats and dogs and enjoyed wildlife.

Survivors include daughters, Gayle Severance, of Niles, Cheryle (Keith) Vogel, of Stevensville, Sandra “Sue” Briggs-Hughes, of Niles; grandchildren, Jeff and Chris Linville, Michelle Ryan and Vicki (Dennis) Bassett, Shelli Knoll and Michael Gleason, Marna McIntosh; great-grandchildren, Brandon Rollins and Sarah (Rollins) Jones, Justin Bassett and Sgt. Christopher Bassett of the U.S. Marines, Pamela and Becky Bailey, Amber, Terra, Shelby and Haley Linville, Tony, Tawny and China Stockbarger, C.J. McIntosh; great-great-grandchildren, Dashawn and J.C. Jones, Carmen Bailey and D.J. Hughes, Anna-Lena (Rollins) Clunger-Klug, Page Rollins; sister, Lucene Daley, of Niles; brother, Terry Pethick, of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Diane Briggs, who died in infancy; a sister, Doris Burch; and brothers, Dean Pethick and Doyle Pethick.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles with the Rev. Richard R. Swanson of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dowagiac officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

There will be no visitation. Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society’s Berrien County Relay for Life.

Marrs, Elizabeth M. (Keck)

editor Obituaries August 3, 2012

Elizabeth “Betty” Marrs, 85
Jan. 29, 1927-July 25, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:52pm Monday, July 30, 2012

Elizabeth M. Betty Marrs, 85, of North 14th Street, Niles, died at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at her home unexpectedly, but of natural causes.

She was born on Jan. 29, 1927, in Niles to Edmund C. and Martha Elizabeth (Crandall) Keck. She was graduated from Dundee (Michigan) High School, and had lived in Niles most of her life.

She was employed at the former LuAnn’s Grocery and the former G. L. Perry Variety Store, both in Niles. Betty enjoyed flower gardening, completing jigsaw puzzles, and entertaining family, neighbors. and friends at her home. But her greatest interest was caring for her family, whom she dearly loved.

On Dec. 16, 1952, in St. Joseph, she married William Charles “Chuck” Marrs, who preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 1990. She was also preceded in death by their son, Ronald E. Marrs, who died on Oct. 21, 2008.

Surviving family includes her grandson, Aaron (Meredith) Marrs, of Niles; great-granddaughter, Audrey Marrs; daughter-in-law, Dana L. (Mrs. Ronald) Marrs, of Niles; and Chuck’s mother, R.E. “Irene” Stackhouse, of Niles.

Services for Betty Marrs will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at the graveside in

Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett, of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Niles, officiating.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Adams, Kevin LaVerne

editor Obituaries August 3, 2012

Kevin Adams, 49
Died June 27, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 7:52pm Thursday, July 5, 2012

Kevin LaVerne Adams, 49, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and previously of Niles, passed away at Botford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Mich., on June 27, 2012.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, July 6, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Niles from 11 a.m. to noon with a service to honor Kevin’s life to begin at noon.

Those wishing to leave a message to the family, upload a photo or send a letter of condolence may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Niles

Sobieralski, Beulah Louise (Worvey)

editor Obituaries August 2, 2012

Beulah Sobieralski, 83

Niles Daily Star, Published online 4:54pm Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Beulah Sobieralski, 83

Beulah Louise (Worvey) Sobieralski, 83, of Niles, passed away Monday, July 2, 2012, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend.

In keeping with Beulah’s wishes, a private committal service will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Beulah’s memory to the American Kidney Foundation 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10016.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family atwww.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Farmer, Robert

editor Obituaries August 2, 2012

Robert Farmer, 86
Died July 2, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:32pm Monday, July 2, 2012

Robert Arthur Farmer, 86, of Niles, passed away July 2, 2012, at his residence with his family by his side.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 5, at 3 p.m. in Brown Funeral Home. A time of visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Hirst, Kathleen

editor Obituaries August 2, 2012

Kathleen Hirst, 68

Nov. 5, 1943 — March 10, 2012

: Hirst

Niles Dailly Star, Published online 10:59pm Tuesday, March 13, 2012

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, The dust returns to earth, The Spirit returns to God who gave it.” — 2 Cor. 5:8; Ecl. 12:7

In the early morning hours on March 10, Kathleen Anne Hirst, 68, passed away at Memorial Hospital in South Bend with loving family members by her side.

In the same hospital on Nov. 5, 1943, she was born to Raymond and Stella (Anderson) Suabedissen. Her parents preceded her in death.

Kathy grew up in Niles and graduated from Niles High School in 1962. She attended Western Michigan University and, after graduation, moved to Denver. She worked for the Denver accounting firm of Ernst and Young, and then for 21 years as secretary for the athletic department of Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colo. While at Cherry Creek, Kathy met her future husband, Fredrick Hirst. They retired in 2002 and moved to Buchanan, where Kathy was able to spend time with her family close by. She and Fred designed and built a wonderful new home, which afforded her the opportunity to apply her considerable decorating skills throughout. The surrounding woods allowed her to enjoy the blissful presence of her many furry and feathered friends, especially the deer, beautiful bluebirds and robins.

Reading novels, walking the beaches of Lake Michigan, enjoying the company of many friends and relaxing boat rides on the St. Joseph River were among her retirement pleasures. She also enjoyed the especially rewarding experience of mentoring children at Stark Elementary School in Buchanan, and she worked as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

She is survived by her soul mate and husband, Fred; son, Aaron Larsen of Columbia, Tenn.; daughter, Anne Larsen of Spring Hill, Tenn.; sisters, Carole Cappella of Niles and Joan Frisk of South Bend; brother-in-law, Scott Frisk of South Bend; stepsons, Mitchell (Karen) Hirst of Lakewood, Colo. and Adam (Connie) Hirst of Centennial, Colo.; step-grandchildren, Marissa Hirst, Isabelle Hirst and Caleb Hirst, all of Colorado; loving nephew and nieces, Claire (Cliff) Potter of Northbrook, Ill., Megan Frisk of Bethesda, Md., Lauren Frisk of Fishers, Ill. and Michael Frisk of South Bend; cousins, Guy (Lillie) Suabedissen and Gary (Ann) Suabedissen of New Jersey; and her much-beloved cat, Bailey.

A gathering for friends and family will be held Saturday, March 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Family members suggest memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46545; Pet Refuge of Mishawaka, 2300 W. Sixth St., Mishawaka, IN 46541; or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Michigan Chapter, 1421 E. 12 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071.

Studley, Lodema (Dir)

editor Obituaries July 27, 2012

Lodema Studley
Oct. 17, 1849-April 7, 1928

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 9, 1928, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. LODEMA STUDLEY, 78, DIES AT DAUGHTER'S HOME

Resident of Niles for 43 Years Passes Away After Three Months Illness

Mrs. Lodema Studley, 78, widow of William H. Studley, died on Saturday afternoon about 4 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Knott, 115 S. St. Joseph avenue. She had been ill for three months. Mrs. Studley had been a resident of Niles for 43 years and was well known to many in this city.

Mrs. Studley's maiden name was Lodema Dir. She was born in Mendon, Mich., on Oct. 17, 1849. She was married to Mr. Studley at Sherwood,Mich., on Sept. 30, 1866. The family moved to Niles from Mishawaka 43 years ago. Mr. Studley died on July 16, 1919.

Surviving Mrs. Studley are two daughters, Mrs. William Hamlin and Mrs. William Knott, and one son, Charles Studley, all of Niles, also two sisters, Mrs. Henry Colser, of Bear lake, who was expected here today, and Mrs. Joseph Roberts, of Detroit, who arrived Saturday.

The funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the Troost and Augustine chapel. Rev. O.R. Grattan, pastor of the Methodist church, of which Mrs. Studley was a member and faithful attendant for many years, will officiate. Burial will take place in the family lot in Silver Brook.

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