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.

Trask, Lafayette L.

Lafayette Trask
May 27, 1841-Jan. 8, 1929


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 9, 1929, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FATHER DIES WHILE ON VISIT WITH NILES KIN

Lafayette Trask, 87, Passes Away at Home of Daughter Last Night

 

Lafayette L. Trask, 87, father of Mrs. Harriett White, died last night about 12:30 o'clock at her home, Harvirgen farm, after a few days of illness with pneumnia. Mr. Trask's home was in St. Johns, Mich., but he and his daughter Miss Eleanor, had come to Niles for a holiday visit with Mrs. White, arriving here before Christmas. A few days ago he contracted a cold which quickly developed into pneumonia.

The funeral services will be held in Mrs. White's home tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock. Rev. W.W. Slee, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery in Mrs. White's family lot.

Mr. Trask was born in Ohio on May 27, 1841. When a young man he came to Michigan and for a number of years was a banker in Carson City. About 1889 he went to the state of Washington and for several years engaged in the feed business in Montesano, Wash., and also before returning to Michigan, he engaged in farming near Aberdeen, Wash. Mr. Trask was a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted as a private but received the commission of first lieutenant just before the close of the war.  He served throughout the entire duration of the war and was in numerous important engagements.  Mr. Trask was twice married but neither wife survives him. Five children survive him.  They are Richard, of Montesano, Wash., Maurice of Niles, Harper of Barrington, Ill., Miss Eleanor, St. John's, Mich., and Mrs. Harriett White, of Niles.  He was a member of the Masonic order and of the G.A.R. in St. Johns. While he was in Washington state, he was made a life member of the Masonic order. Mr. Trask was a remarkable man for his advanced years and was a prominent figure in the community life at St.  Johns.  He frequently visited in Niles and many had come to know and enjoy the friendship of the kindly aged gentleman.

 

White, Clark E.

Clark E. White
July 24, 1883-Jan. 3, 1929


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 3, 1929, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Clark White, 44, died this morning at 8 o'clock in the state hospital in Kalamazoo where he had been patient for about a week.  While . . [illegible]. .. expected that the body will be taken to Dowagiac this afternoon.  Mr. White had been a resident of Niles for about 24 years.  He was born in Clarkston, Mich.  He came to Niles 24 years ago to continue work with the Michigan Bell Telephone company as a linesman and he was so employed for 15 years. He then entered the employe of the Michigan Central railroad company and worked for the company for 10 years or until two years ago when he met with an accident in the yards here and both his legs were broken.  Since that time he had been unable to work and had lived a Pokagon for a greater part of the time since.  Surviving him are two sons, Martin and Laverne White, both of Niles.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 4, 1929, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Private funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford Funeral home for Clark White, 44, who died on Thursday in the Michigan State hospital in Kalamazoo.  Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Wetherby, Minnie (Groth)

Minnie Wetherby
Feb. 13, 1884-Nov. 2, 1920


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tuesday, November 2, 1920, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. WETHERBY

Lives but a Few Hours After Birth of Daughter This Morning

 

The announcement of the death of Mrs. Minnie Wetherby, wife of Barrone Wetherby, which occurred this afternoon at their home in North Third street, will bring profound sorrow to the many friends of the young matron and the family throughout the community.

This morning at 9 o'clock Mrs. Wetherby gave birth to a daughter, and at 2 o'clock this afternoon the mother passed away, heart disease being the immediate cause of death.

Mrs. Wetherby is survived by her husband and by one son, William, the latter aged 13 years.


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Wednesday, November 3, 1920, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. WETHERBY'S DEATH IS DEEPLY MOURNED

Funeral Services Will be Held Tomorrow Afternoon at the Episcopal Church

 

Mrs. Minnie Wetherby, wife of former City Clerk Wetherby, 305 North Third street, who died Tuesday afternoon under unusually sad circumstances, was born in Chicago, Feb. 13, 1884.  With her parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Groth, she came to Niles in 1900, and attended the Niles public schools. She was married to Mr. Wetherby in April, 1906.  Two children were born of this union, William, who is now 13 years of age, and the daughter, born yesterday morning and after whose birth the mother lived but a few hours.

Besides the husband and children, Mrs. Wetherby is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Groth of Chicago, who arrived last evening in response to the sad message, and by the following sisters and brothers, all of whom reside in Chicago: Miss Marie Groth, Mrs. Emma Zettwock, Mrs. Frank Schaffhousen, Mrs. Louise Jakway, August, John and Fred Groth. The stricken family circle also includes Mr. Wetherby's mother, Mrs. Amelia Wetherby.

The deceased was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and actively engaged in the work of the church. She was a member of St. Agnes guild and of the Altar guild, and it was her joy to discharge any duty she was called upon to perform faithfully and efficiently. She was for a number of years treasurer of St. Agnes guild. She will be sadly missed by her co-workers in the church who found her always a willing and cheerful worker.  She was a devoted wife and mother and loyal friend and the sympathy of the community is extended to the bereaved family.

The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon and will be conducted by Rev. Harold Holt, rector of Trinity Episcopal church.  A service will be held at the house at 2 o'clock for the members of the immediate family.  At 2:30 o'clock, a service will be held at the Episcopal church. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

 

Rice, Henry Tilman

Henry Rice
Nov. 8, 1852-Nov. 3, 1920


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Thursday, November 4, 1920, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER RESIDENT HENRY RICE, DEAD

 

Henry Rice, a cousin of W.C. Rice, and a former well known resident of Niles for many years, died last evening at the home of the late Frank Rice in Dowagiac. Mr. Rice had long been in ill health as the result of a stroke of paralysis. Last evening he went to the home  of the late Frank Rice on account of the death of Mrs. Mary Rice, and while there was stricken with a heart attack from which he did not rally.  He is survived by one son, Kenneth.

The body will be brought to Niles tomorrow at 1:30 o'clock and will be taken directly to Silver  Brook cemetery for burial in the family lot where the body of Mrs. Rice, who died several years ago, rests.

 

Note: Date of birth from gravemarker (Photo) and from Michigan Death Certificate of Henry Tilman Rice, son of John Rice and Sarah Webster Rice.

 

Miller, Nellie

Nellie Miller
Nov. 15, 1920-Sept. 18, 1997


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 20, 1997, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Nellie Miller, 76, of Hampshire Road, Dowagiac, are Monday at 1 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by Pastor Scott Goodman of First Baptist Church and Mr. James Topash of Niles.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Miller died Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at her home, following an extended illness.

She was born Nov. 15, 1920, in Owensburg, Ind. On Jan. 22, 1941, in Paw Paw, she married Conrad Miller, who survives.

Mrs. Miller enjoyed many outdoor activities, including gardening; and as a hunter had a reputation for her marksmanship and maintained her own fishing boat.

Survivors also include a sister, Tryphena Suit of Cortez, Fla.; and a brother in law, Floyd Miller of Dowagiac.

She was preceded in death by sisters Wyoma Gray and Lucille Wisley.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to TB and Emphysema Association.

 

 

McGrath, Matthew A. Sr.

Matthew A. McGrath, Sr.
Aug. 9, 1924-Sept. 11, 1997


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 13, 1997, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Matthew A. McGrath Sr., 73, of 110 S. 16th St., Niles, are Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Fred T. Smith of South Niles Community church.

Burial wll follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. McGrath died Thursday at 7 p.m. at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born Aug. 9, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and lived in Niles since 1966, coming here from Crown Point, Ind.

On Oct. 7, 1967, in Buchanan, he married the former Jacqueline "Jackie" Gentry, who survives.

Mr. McGrath was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II.  He was a life member and had served two terms as commander of the American Legion Post 26 in Niles.  He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4025 in Niles and the AmVets Post 1978, Niles, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.

Mr. McGrath retired as foreman from Conrail in Elkhart, Ind., in 1985, after 20 years of service.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include four sons, Matt McGrath Jr. and Joe McGrath, both of Owensboro, Ky., and Michael Gentry and Randy Dean McGrath, both of Niles; two daughters, Dee Regenos of Owensboro, Ky., and Donna McGrath of Crown Point, Ind.; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a sister, Josephine Cassidy of Broooklyn, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jonni McGrath, in 1985.

Friends may call Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Full military honors by American Legion Commander John McLaughlin will follow the committal Tuesday at graveside.

 

Clark, Karen E. (Adams)

Karen E. Adams Clark
March 8, 1945-Sept. 3, 1997


Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 5, 1997, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Karen E. Adams Clark, 52, Randallstown, Md., are Monday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Harry D. Pierson of Franklin A.M.E. Church, Niles. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Ms. Clark died Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Northwest Hospital, Randallstown, following a brief illness.

She was born March 8, 1945, in Niles, to Irven L. Adams and Cecelia Williams. She graduated from Niles High School in 1963, and from Michigan State University in 1966. She had lived in Randallstown for 17 years.

Ms. Clark was employed for 24 years with the Social Security Administration, currently as personnel trainer. She enjoyed the cultural arts of the Baltimore and Washington area.

Survivors include a son, Christopher Clark of Washington, D.C.; her father and step-mother, Irven L. and Marguerite Adams of Niles; a sister, Ruth Ann Frasier of Southfield; and a brother, Richard Adams of Lansing.

Friends may call Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, one hour prior to the services.