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.

Fowler, Mary E.

editor Obituaries

Mary E. Fowler
Oct. 4, 1852-Feb. 19, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 20, 1933, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. GEORGE FOWLER DIES AT AGE OF 80 YEARS

Passes Away At Hickory Street Residence After Two Weeks Illness

 

Mrs. Mary E. Fowler, widow of George Fowler, aged 80, died at her home at 746 Hickory street at 7:30 Sunday morning, after an illness of two weeks.  She was born in Milford, Delaward, Oct. 4th, 1852. She came to Michigan with her father, George Fowler, in 1860, who settled on a farm north of Niles, which was afterwards owned by the late M.E. Harger.

Mrs. Fowler is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Ida Howard, Mrs. Lena Morris, Mrs. G. Fowler and Miss Florence Fowler, of Niles, by two brothers, Archie Fowler and [illegible] of Niles, by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held in the home on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 21, 1933, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Fowler, 80, widow of George Fowler who died in her home 746 Hickory street on Sunday morning after an illness of two weeks were held this afternoon in her home. The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the services. Walter Miller, George Earl, Ben H. Smith, Charles Champion, Earl Fowler and G.A. Reum were pallbearers. The committal was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Mrs. Fowler was born in Milford, Delaware, Oct. 4th, 1852.  She came to Michigan with her father, Geo. Fowler, in 1860, who settled on a farm north of Niles, which was afterwards owned by the late M.E. Harger.  Mrs. Fowler is survived by four children, Mrs. Ida Howard, Mrs. Lena Morris, George Fowler and Miss Florence Fowler, of Niles, by two brothers, Archie Fowler and Revel Fowler, of Niles, by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

 

Williams, Celestia (Scarlett)

editor Obituaries

Celestia Williams
Feb. 7, 1893-June 7, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, June 8, 1946, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Celestia Williams Dies From Stroke Near Long Lake

 

Mrs. Celestia Williams, 53, of 124 Huron street, died Friday at 5 p.m. at Long Lake, near Bitely. Death resulted from a stroke.

She was born Celestia Scarlett, Feb. 7, 1893, in New Paris, Ind., and moved to Niles from New Paris 34 years ago. She was married Oct. 26, 1916, in South Bend, to Arthur Williams, her only survivor.

Services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Pifer funeral home, with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Vandygriff, Effie (Martin)

editor Obituaries

Effie Vandygriff
June 8, 1916-June 18, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 18, 1946, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Woman Dies Early Today in Oshtemo Hospital

 

Mrs. Effie Vandyfriff, 28, of rural route three, died today at . ..[illegible]. .. sanitarium, Oshtemo, after an illness of three months.

Born June 8, 1916, in Savannah, Tenn., she came to Niles from Tyronza, Ark., in 1935.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Vandygriff; three children, Edith Helen, James and Larry, all at home; her father, William F. Martin, 124 1/2 East Main street; four sisters: Mrs. Olive Newbank, 1301 North Twelfth street; Miss Peggy Martin, 124 1/2 East Main street; Mrs. Clara Hubbard, and Mrs. Edith McNess, both or Tyronza, Ark.

Services will take place Thursday at 2 p.m., from the Pifer funeral home, with Capt. Herbert Jensen of the Salvation Army officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home.

 

McLaughlin, Edwin

editor Obituaries

Edwin McLaughlin
Sept. 16, 1876-June 19, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 20, 1946, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Edwin McLaughlin, Kawneer Employe, Dies in Hospital

 

Edwin McLaughlin, 69, of 223 South Fourth street, died Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. in Pawating hospital. He had been in ill health for two years.

He was born in Orleans, Neb., Sept. 16, 1876, and came to Niles from Orleans when 12 years old. He was married to Miss Ellen Terrell, in Marion, Ind., in 1901.

Since 1915 he had been an employe of the Kawneer company and was a member of the Kawneer 25-year club.

Belonged to Elks

He was a member of the Niles Elks lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ellen McLaughlin; one son, Wilfred P. McLaughlin, Grand Rapids,; one daughter, Mrs. L.E. Edwards, Upper Darby, Pa.; one sister, Mrs. Eva James, Gregory; and six grandchildren.

Services Saturday

The funeral will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. L. George Beacock, of the First Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Members of the Elks lodge will conduct committal services at the grave. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Wiars, George Franklin

editor Obituaries

George F. Wiars
Dec. 2, 1871-June 26, 1946

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, June 26, 1946, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

George F. Wiars Dies Today After Illness of Year

 

George Franklin Wiars, 74, died at 8 a.m. today in his residence, 1535 Maple street, following a year's illness.

He was born Dec. 2, 1871, in Wood county O., and came to Niles in 1919 from Covert, Mich. He had been a carpenter. His wife, Mary Wiars, died in 1928.

Five Sons Survive

Survivors include five sons, Myrtis Wiars, 646 South St. Joseph avenue; Howard Miars[sic], 1209 Sycamore street, Tracy Wiars, Buchanan; Jerry Wiars, 318 North Twelfth street; and Allen Wiars, Niles; one daughter, Miss Georgia Wiars, at home; two sisters, Mrs. J.J. Wilkinson, Scottsburg, Ind.; Mrs. Ollie Barthleman, Lincoln, Neb., and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be conducted Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Kiger funeral home, with the Rev. L. George Beacock officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Griffin, Melvina

editor Obituaries

Mrs. Elijah (Melvina) Griffin
June 27, 1874-Feb. 20, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 20, 1933, page 3, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ELIJAH GRIFFIN DIES AT M-40 HOME

Is Stricken Early Today After Illness of Several Days


Mrs. Alvinia[sic] Griffin, 58, widow of Elijah Griffin, died this morning at 4:45 in her home on M-40 north of Niles after three weeks of illness with heart disease. Her husband died in December  1931. Mrs. Griffin had spent her entire life in this vicinity. She was born on June 27, 1864[sic].  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Andrew Bradford, of Niles,and Mrs. Henry Cocker, of Detroit, and by one son, Herman Griffin, at home. One brother, John Boone of South Bend, survives also.  She was an active member of the A.M.E. church in Niles.  Plans for the funeral were not completed today awaiting word from the daughter who resides in Detroit.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 21, 1933, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services for Mrs. Elijah Griffin will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the A.M.E. church. The Rev. W. J. Nelson, pastor of that church, will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbroook cemetery.

Note:  There are some questions with this obituary.  Obituary of husband, gravemarker, and death records of children give name as Melvina (Boone).  Also date of birth does not match age or that on gravemarker.

Griffin, Elijah W.

editor Obituaries

Elijah W. Griffin
July 9, 1865-Dec. 3, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 3, 1931, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF ELIJAH GRIFFIN

 

Elijah W. Griffin, 67, died suddenly this morning at 8 o'clock of heart trouble in his home, two and one half miles north of Niles, M-40. He was born on July 9, 1864 in Terre Haute, Ind. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1866 and had since resided with in two miles of the place where his parents located.  He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Melvina Griffin, a son, Herman Griffin at home, two daughters, Mrs. Harold Coker, of Detroit and Mrs. Andrew Bradfod, of Niles, nine grand children and four brothers. The brothers are Henry, Albert and Noah, of Dowagiac, and Alex Griffin of Chelsea. The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

 

 

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