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.

Fisher, Ruth Butts

Ruth Butts Fisher
March 25, 1907-Nov. 25, 1999


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 29, 1999, page 2, col, 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Graveside services will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery Tuesday at 10 a.m. by the Rev. Alfred Deeds of Bethel Apostolic Tabernacle for Ruth Butts Fisher, 92, of Plant City, Fla. Fisher, who had lived in Niles for over 50 years, died of natural causes Thursday, Nov. 25 at South Florida Baptist Hospital, Plant City.

Born in Baroda on March 25, 1907, she was a homemaker.

On August 27, 1947, in Benton Harbor, she married Dr. E.R. Butts who preceded her in death in 1963.

Surviving family includes: two sons, Roy Gaul of Plant City, Fla., and Gerald Gaul of Niles; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

 

Graham, Blanche

Blanche Graham
May 10, 1878-Jan. 28, 1966


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 29, 1966, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Blanche Graham, 87, of 1915 US-31 North, died at 4:35 p.m. Friday in the Quick Convalescent Home.

Mrs. Marham was born May 10, 1878 in Jefferson Township, Cass County, and was a life-time resident of the area.  Her husband, Thomas J., died April 20, 1963.

Surviving are a son, Joseph, Niles; a daughter, Mrs. Fred Vorn, Lansing; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home. The Rev. Leonard Putnam, pastor of the First Evangelical United Brethren Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the funeral home after noon Sunday.

 

Harger, Millicent

Millicent Harger
Sept. 15, 1898-Jan. 27, 1982


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 28, 1982, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Millicent M. Harger, 83, a former Niles resident, died at 6:10 p.m.  Wednesday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Donald (Betty Lou) Zimmerman of 208 E. 9th St., Mishawaka.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 28, 1982, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles for Mrs. Millicent M. Harger, 83, of Mishawaka, who died at 6:20 p.m. Wednesday at the home of her daughter.

She was a retired employee of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company and a member of the Michigan Bell Telephone Pioneer club.

Mrs. Harger was born on Sept. 15, 1898 in Three Oaks.  She married Reginald H. Harger in 1918 in South Bend. He died in 1946.

Survivors include a son, Duane Harger of Mishawaka; a daughter, Mrs. Donald (Betty Lou) Zimmerman of Mishawaka; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Rev. William J. Fuerstenau of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles will officiate at the services on Saturday. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

 

 

Hunter, Estelle E.

Estelle E. Hunter
1861-Aug. 23, 1935


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 24, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. L. HUNTER, 74, DIED SUDDENLY

Widow of Former Niles Business Man stricken at Family Home.

 

Mrs. Estelle Hunter, 74, widow of the late Lemont Hunter died late Friday night at her home, 1215 Regent street. Although Mrs. Hunter had been in failing health for some time, her death came unexpectedly to the members of her household.

Mrs. Hunter was born in New York state. She and her husband came to Niles about 35 years ago from Chicago. Mr. Hunter organized the Hunter Ice company at Barron lake which later moved to Niles and added ice cream and dairy products.  He was active in the latter until his death, about eight years ago.

Two children, a daughter, Dot, and a son, Lee Hunter are dead. The only near surviving relative is a sister, Mrs. H.D. Turner, of LaJolla, Calif.

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home.

 

Kendrick, Esther Renee

Esther Renee Kendrick
June 19, 1904-Jan. 25, 1982


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 26, 1982, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Buchanan--Esther Renee Kendrick, 77, Heritage Home, died early Monday morning at the Michigan Skilled Care Center after an extended illness.

She was a retired school teacher and a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. Her husband, Lawrence, is deceased.

Services for Esther Renee Kendrick will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Pifer-Smtih Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Sheldon Harback of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Sturgis. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

 

Kettles, David

David Kettles
Oct. 28, 1890-Jan. 30, 1982


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 1, 1982, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

David Kettles, 91, 2109 Miller Drive, died late Friday at Pawating Hospital after a brief illness.

Kettles was a native of Dundee, Scotland and a retired Penn Central Railroad conductor.

His wife, Vera, died in 1955.

Survivors include a son, Fred of Capistrano Beach, Calif.; two daughters, Jeanne Schuyler of Niles, Isabella Allen of Baroda; a sister, Isabella Fisher of Vancouver, Canada; 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.  Another daughter, Margaret Huckins, died Jan. 23.

Services for David Kettles will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Rev. David N. Henderson of Westminster Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

 

Meldrim, Ruth L.

Ruth L. Meldrim
Jan. 16, 1901-Feb. 11, 1966


Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 11, 1966, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Mrs. Ruth L. Meldrim, 2211 Yankee St., died at 4 a.m. today in South Bend Memorial Hospital. She had been a patient there for three weeks.

Mrs. Meldrim was born Jan. 16, 1901, in Wabash County, Ind. She spent most of her lifetime here.

She is survived by her husband, Wilber H. Meldrim; two daughters, Mrs. Dale Deditch, Niles, and Mrs. Marvin Dale of South Bend; and one son, Wilber Jr., also of South Bend.

Also surviving are five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Pifer Funeral Home Monday at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. John MacLaclan of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Saturday.

Friends may donate to the Cancer Society.