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.
Edwin A. Rowley
Nov. 18, 1817-Oct. 23, 1871
Niles Republican, Thursday, October 26, 1871, page 3, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
ROWLEY--In Baxter Springs, Kansas on the 23d inst. of chronic diarrhea, EDWIN A. ROWLEY, of this City.
His remains were brought to this City, and buried this morning.
Mary Julia Rowley
March 1861-Aug. 25, 1912
Niles Daily Sun, Friday, August 30, 1912, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
The remains of Miss Mary Rowley, a former prominent Niles resident, were brought here this afternoon from Council Bluffs Mo., via the Michigan Central and taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery for burial
The committal service was conducted by Rev. W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Anna Rowley Sheldon of Council Bluffs, a sister of the deceased and Dr. Frank Ford, of Chicago, accompanied the remains to Niles.
The deceased was about 50 years of age. The family formerly resided on Oak street for many years.
Raymond H. Rowley
April 12, 1887-Aug. 23, 1961
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 24, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Raymond H. Rowley, 74, 74 N. St. Joseph Ave., died at 5 p.m. Wednesday in South Bend Memorial Hospital following an illness of six weeks.
Mr. Rowley, a veteran of World War I, was born April 12, 1887, in Chicago, and had lived here for 35 years.
Surviving are: two sisters, Mrs. Harry Olson, 75 N. St. Joseph Ave.,and Mrs. Julia Benson, Los Angeles, Calif., and two brothers, Arthur Rowley, Hemet, Calif., and Robert Rowley, Flossmoor, Ill.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Gordon Everett, pastor of First Evangelical United Brethren Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, with graveside rites by the American Legion.
Friends are being received at the funeral home.
Robert G. Rowley
Sept. 16, 1900-May 21, 1997
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 24, 1907, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Robert G. Rowley
1900-1997
Retired music salesman
No local services or visitation is planned for Robert G. Rowley, 96, 1700 Bronson Way, Apt. 135, Kalamazoo, and formerly of Niles.
Rowley died Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Bronson Place Care Center, Kalamazoo, of natural causes.
He was born Sept. 16, 1900 in Niles.
On April 11, 1923, in Niles, he married the former Amy Martin, who survives.
Rowley was a retired music salesman. He was former member of the Chicago Musician's Union.
Survivors include a daughter, Ann Baer of Decatur; a son, Joel M. Rowley of Atlanta, Ga.; eight grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be made to Bronson Place Retirement Community, Kalamazoo.
Mary A. Hoover
March 11, 1867-July 5, 1953
Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 6, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Mary A. Hoover, 86, of 1411 North Fifth street, died at 1 p.m. Sunday at her home.
Mrs. Hoover was born March 11, 1867 [and moved here from] South Bend 45 years ago. Her husband, William, died in 1940. She was a member of the First Church of Christ.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Bernice Norman, Niles, and Mrs. Ethel Smith, Three Oaks; two sons, Albert C., South Bend, and Henry H., Niles; a sister, Mrs Ida Connett, South Bend; a brother Charles Ernsperger, also South Bend; 11 grand children, and nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Kiger Funeral Home with the Rev. James Greenwood, pastor of the First Church of Christ in Buchanan, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the residence on Fifth street.
Capt. Joseph E. Johnston
April 27, 1892-Aug. 23, 1961
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 24, 1961, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in Trinity Episcopal Church here for Capt. Joseph E. Johnston, 69, 991 S. 3rd St., who died early Wednesday in Pawating Hospital.
Capt. Johnston, curator emeritus of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in the Detroit River, was a veteran salt and fresh water sailor and ship's officer. He retired in 959 after serving as curator of the marine museum housed in the schooner J.T. Wing, owned by the Detroit Historical Commission.
The captain went to sea in 1910 after experience on Mississippi River boats and later skippered a training schooner for a Wisconsin boy's camp.
He was widely known for his work in recruiting seamen for the War Shipping Administration during World War II, for the founding of the Great lake Maritime Institute, and as a consultant to various historical commissions.
His services as a consultant were extended to include the Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, after he moved here two years ago.
Friends are being received at the Pifer Funeral Home.
Fort St. Joseph Museum will be closed from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, it was announced by museum officials.
Helen G. Wickler
Oct. 16, 1914-Aug. 3, 1997
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 5, 1997, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Helen G. Wickler, 82, of 251 Cass St., Niles, died Sunday at 9 p.m. at the home of her daughter in Mishawaka, Ind.
There will be no visitation or services.
Mrs. Wickler was born Oct. 16, 1914, in Jones. She lived most of her life in Niles.
On Nov. 19, 1932, in South Bend, Ind., she married Henry J. Wickler, who preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1973. She was also preceded in death by a brother, George Sears.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Margaret) Thornton of Stevensville and Mrs. William (Betty) Krieg of Mishawaka; two sons, Larry and Lee Wickler of Niles; a brother, Leo Sears of Niles; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Ind., 46637, or to the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana Ind., 850 Meridian, Suite 201, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204-1108.
