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.

Lighthart, Donald A. 1943-2022

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Donald A. Lighthart
March 4, 1943-Feb. 11, 2022

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Donald Angelo Lighthart

Donald A. Lighthart, 78, of Niles, formerly of Berrien Center, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2022 at West Woods of Niles. He was born on March 4, 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Don and Catherine (Conard) Lighthart. After Donald graduated from Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, serving his country proudly and receiving an honorable discharge. Donald continued what would be a lifetime of devoted public service in law enforcement serving Okaloosa County, Florida as a sheriff’s deputy. Upon returning to Michigan, Donald worked for the Howard Township Police Department and then gave twenty-five years to the Niles Police Department before retiring as a lieutenant. During retirement, he decided to work for the court system as a bailiff and then served as undersheriff for Berrien County for a total of two years before his final retirement, giving the gift of service to his country and community of forty-five years. On October 21, 1966, Don married the love of his life, Kathleen Kehoe at a ceremony in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and celebrated over fifty-one years of marriage prior to her passing in 2018. Don had a passion for vintage cars. Owning many throughout his lifetime and had an extensive collection of die-cast model cars. He loved rides on his Harley Davidson and spending time with his family. He was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles, Southwest Michigan Car Collectors, the Niles F.O.P. #95 and the Police Officers Labor Council. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kathleen and a sister, Kathy Kubiak. Don is survived by his son, Donald (Bethany) Lighthart of Niles; grandchildren, Amanda (Zach) Mounts of Niles, Christopher (Mikayla) Lighthart of Niles, Megan (Alex) Booe of Berrien Center and Sarah Lighthart of Canton, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Lauren, A.J., Frederick Delaney, Walker, and a sixth great grandchild on the way; siblings, Diann (Phil) Horton, Sue and Ron Barwicz, Ray (Sue) Lighthart, Debbie (Dave) Weatherwax, Kim (Bob) Sweedyk and Tom (Julie) Lighthart and many extended family members and close friends. A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at Brown Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Recitation of Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home with Father Peter Rocca, C.S.C. officiating. Full Military Rights will be rendered by the U. S. Air Force, the Buchanan American Legion Post 51 as well as local law enforcement. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at 230 W Monroe St Suite 200, Chicago, Illinois 60606, in his name. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. Don’s unwavering devotion to God, family and country will be forever remembered in our hearts.

Lighthart, Kathleen (Kehoe) 1946-2018

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Kathleen Lighthart, of Berrien Center
Nov. 23, 1946-June 14, 2018

Niles Daily Start, Published 9:49 am Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Kathleen Lighthart, 71, of Berrien Center, passed away June 14, 2018. Visitation June 21, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m.; Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service Friday, at 11 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home.

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Kathleen Mary Lighthart

Kathleen Mary Lighthart, 71, of Berrien Center, passed away at Westwoods of Niles on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Kathleen was born on November 23, 1946, in Oak Park, Illinois to the late Thomas and Catherine (Tibbetts) Kehoe. After graduating from high school, she later met and married the love of her life, Donald Lighthart, in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida on October 21, 1966. After their marriage, Kathleen and Donald moved to Michigan.

Kathleen worked as an executive secretary for Clark Equipment Company for many years until her retirement.

Kathleen was a very outgoing woman who loved to go bowling, spending time with her grandkids, reading, and enjoyed participating in their car club-SMCC.

She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and was a fan of Elvis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Catherine Kehoe; and her brother, Thomas Kehoe III.

Kathleen is survived by her son, Donald (Bethany) Lighthart of Niles; grandchildren, Amanda (Zach) Mounts of Niles, Christopher (Mikayla) Lighthart of Niles, Megan (Alex) Booe of Abilene, Texas, and Sarah Lighthart of Allentown, Pennsylvania; great-grandchildren, Lauren and A.J.; and many extended family members and close friends.

A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Recitation of Rosary at 7:30 p.m. with Brother Dennis Myers, C.S.C. Funeral service will be Friday, June 22, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Brown Funeral Home with Father Thomas King, C.S.C. officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, in her name.

 

Damouth, Daniel Mark 1974-2022

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Daniel Mark Damouth, of Niles
Nov. 29, 1974 – Jan. 25, 2022

Niles Daily Star, Published 2:19 am Thursday, February 10, 2022

 

Niles-Daniel Mark Damouth, 47, of Niles MI passed away peacefully on Jan. 25, 2022, surrounded by his “best friend” and wife, children and loved ones by his side.

Dan was born in Benton Harbor, to the late Marshall and Jackie McGee on Nov. 29, 1974. He was later adopted by James and the late Marykaye Damouth of Niles.

Dan worked in retail most of his life but was a man of many traits, he was good at construction, carpentry, rebuilding houses with his dad James Damouth, he loved playing with his tools to fix things. His biggest love was cooking for us and having us try new foods, he was our little chef.

Dan graduated from Niles High School in 1992 where he loved to play baseball, He also attended college in Rochester Hills, MI. His hobbies other than cooking and fixing things was spending time with his wife and children taking nature walks, playing in the creek and going to the beach or sometimes he loved to just stay home watching movies.

Surviving Dan is his wife of 21 years to Shanna (Hartman) Damouth and their children Emma Damouth and Aidan Damouth. Dan is also survived by his 7 brothers and sisters, Tara (Scott) Smith, Mike (Angie) Damouth, Kelley (Bobby) Teeter, Janie Totten Damouth, Raymond Damouth, Mary Damouth and his youngest sister Kathy. Also surviving are his biological grandmother, Ruth McGee, his Aunt Susie Dean, aunt Liz McGee and uncle Steve McGee, whom Dan met later in his life.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 at noon with visitation from 11 a.m. to noon at the Buchanan Christian Church, 112 W. 3rd St., Buchanan. Services will be performed by Sr. Minister Nathan Babcock.

Davis, Mary Elaine 1958-2022

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Mary Elaine Davis
Sept. 16, 1958-March 6, 2022

Published on Brown Funeral Home website

Obituary of Mary Elaine Davis

Mary Elaine Davis, 63, of Osceola, Arkansas, and formerly of South Bend, IN, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Elaine was born on September 16, 1958, to Delandis Cotton and the late Betty Jean Barnes in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Mary spent years working as a home healthcare nurse with Memorial Home Care. She later continued her employment with Teachers Credit Union before retiring and transitioning south to reside in Osceola, Arkansas. Mary’s most beloved and treasured job was that of a mother. She spent her life unselfishly caring and loving her children, grandchildren, and recent great-grandchildren. She loved to cook, read books, attend church, and watch Family Feud, The Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful, and crime TV. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Jean Barnes, Her grandparents, uncles, and aunt Linda Barnes. Elaine is survived by her father, Delandis Cotton; children, Le’Andre (Kelly) Cotton of Valparaiso, Indiana, TyShaun Cotton of Indianapolis, Indiana, Anthony (Brenda) Hester of Niles, Michigan, Donte’ Cotton of LaPorte, Indiana, and Joshua (Danielle) Davis of Osceola, Arkansas; grandchildren, Harper, Tyona, Elijah, Jordan, Alyssa, Ja’siah, Chelse’ Donte’ Jr., Angel, Justice, DeShawn, Maryah, JaNiyla, Daniel, and Joshua; great-grandchildren, A’Marie, Michael, Donte III, and Rae Lynn; and many extended family members and close friends. Graveside services to honor and celebrate Elaine’s life will be held on March 25th, at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles at 2:30 p.m. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

Fleming, Debra (Kirtdoll) 1961-2020

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Debra Ann Kirtdoll-Fleming
Aug. 3, 1961-Jan. 9, 2020

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Debra Ann Fleming

Debra Ann Kirtdoll-Fleming, 58, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. Debra was born on August 3, 1961, in Bell City, Missouri to the late Acie and Eva (Jenkins) Kirtdoll. Debra accepted Christ at an early age and was raised by both parents who gave her a strong Christian upbringing. When the family relocated from Missouri to Niles, Michigan, Debra was the tender age of 5 and attended Niles School Systems and Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend, Indiana. She was a greeter at her local church and loved her job working as a lunch attendant for the Catholic School System in St. Joseph Michigan. On June 15, 2003, Debra married L.C. Fleming who preceded her in death on Dec. 1, 2013, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan. Debra was a fun-loving Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, and Friend to everyone she encountered. She loved fashion/ dressing up, music, skating, decorating/home décor, reading her daily scriptures, spending time with her kids, grandkids, and family. Debra loved to laugh and share good times with her loved ones, especially her children and close nieces and nephews. Debra was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters; Barbara Hamilton, Jessie Ballard, Ella Louise Haynes, Josephine Kirtdoll and two brothers; Clarence McKinnes, Willie Pete Kirtdoll and a very Special and Dear Aunt Essie Dee Smith. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons; James (Tasha) Kirtdoll of Buchanan, Michigan, Christopher (Danielle) Kirtdoll of South Bend, Indiana, Three Daughters; Nadia (Sherman) Waller of Fayetteville, Georgia, Knenah Kirtdoll of South Bend, Indiana Nichole Kirtdoll of Niles, Michigan, 21 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers; Willie (Vestee) McKinnes of Muskegon, Michigan, Billy (Yvette) Kirtdoll of Dallas, Texas, Benny Kirtdoll of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 4 sisters; Frances Roland and Martha Kirtdoll both of Detroit, Michigan, Betty Ward of Jacksonville, Florida, Mary (Ivery) Cross of Niles, Michigan and a host of close nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Brown Funeral Home.

Kirtdoll, Knehah Shyree 1980-2022

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Knenah Kirtdoll
Feb. 3, 1980-March 18, 2022

Published in Niles Daily Star 10:35 am Thursday, March 24, 2022

Knenah Kirtdoll, 42, of Mishawaka, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles. www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Knenah Shyree Kirtdoll

Knenah Shyree Kirtdoll, 42, of Niles, passed away after a long hard fought battle with cancer on Friday, March 18, 2022. Knenah was born on February 3, 1980, to James Berry and Debra Kirtdoll-Flemming. After graduating from high school, Knenah went on to attend college for social services. She was preceded in death by her mother, Debra Ann Kirtdoll-Flemming. Knenah is survived by her father, James Berry of Niles; children, Isaiah Syson of Mishawaka, J’Kayla Syson of Mishawaka, Jacob Syson of Mishawaka, Zhaneah Kirtdoll of Mishawaka; grandson, Justin; siblings, Nadia (Sherman) Waller of Fayetteville, Georgia, James Kirtdoll of Niles, Christopher (Danielle) Kirtdoll of South Bend Nichole Kirtdoll of Niles, James Hendrix of South Bend, Marcus Treadwell of Tennessee, Brandine Brown of Niles, Shawn James of Niles, Antwaun (Summer) James of Niles, and Ashley James of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends. Homegoing services to celebrate Knenah’s life will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Noon with visitation one hour prior at Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles. Pastor Bryant L. Bacon will be officiating and Knenah will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles near her mother.

Francis, Willie L. Jr. 1951-2022

editor Obituaries

Rev. Willie Francis, Jr.
June 24, 1951-March 27, 2022

Published on Brown Funeral Home website:

Obituary of Rev. Willie Francis, Jr.

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, the Rev. Willie L. Francis, Jr., passed away peacefully at home. Willie was born on June 24, 1951 in Niles, MI to the late Willie L Francis, Sr. and Aimee L. Harris. Willie never met a stranger. He loved people and imparting his wisdom and ideas onto others. He enjoyed family time, fishing, movies, firing up the grill, reading his bible, watching the discovery channel about animals, people, places and things. Willie was the second child of three. Willie’s employment included Rent-a-Center in Benton Harbor, of which he loved being of service to his customers and General Manager at Aarons Rent-to-Own. He was ordained as a Deacon on September 4, 2005 at New Good Hope Baptist under the leadership of Pastor James I. Robinson. He served there faithfully until he moved his membership to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Willie continued to serve faithfully at Mt. Olive as a Deacon until he was called into Ministry as Asst. Pastor to Rev. Fletcher McAfee. This mentorship grew into a father/son relationship that Willie cherished. Willie was ordained as a Minister on August 11, 2013. Willie was united in Holy Matrimony on June 30, 1973 to the love of his life, Michele Elaine Hatcher. To this union there were two children. Willie is survived by Michele, his loving and devoted wife of 49 years; his two children, Stephanie Francis of Lansing, Michigan and Steven Francis of Buchanan, Michigan; two sisters, Betty Francis of St. Joseph, Michigan and Marcia McGuirt of Buchanan, Michigan; four grandchildren, Joshua Francis of Mesa, Arizona, Javarri (Melissa) Beachum of Diamondhead, Mississippi, Brianna Francis of Panama City, Florida and Brayden Dewaters of Niles, Michigan; his dog Jack; several nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends. Willie was preceded in death by his Parents. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church at 2262 Moulder Drive in Niles with Rev. Fletcher McAfee officiating. A time of visitation will begin on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. The family has asked that everyone in attendance to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Condolences and memories of Willie may be left for his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.