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.

Kirtdoll, Josephine

Josephine Kirtdoll, 57
Aug. 15, 1954-April 8, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:30pm Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Josephine Kirtdoll, 57, of Niles, was called home Sunday, April 8, 2012, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph with her family by her side.

Josephine was born Aug. 15, 1954, in Bell City, Mo., to the late Acie and Eva (Jenkins) Kirtdoll.

After graduating high school, Josephine attended Davenport University to continue her education. She worked at United Technologies as a factory worker for many years. She attended Bethlehem Baptist Church in Niles. She loved spending time with her family.

Josephine was a dedicated mother to her children and also spent a valuable amount of time with her nieces and nephews.

Josephine was preceded in death by three sisters, Barbara Hamilton, Jessie Ballard and Ella Louise Haynes, and a brother, Clarence McKinnes.

She is survived by two sons, Timmy (Erika) Kirtdoll of Niles, Tommy Kirtdoll of Indiana; a daughter, Renauta Kirtdoll of Texas; five grandchildren; brothers, Willie (Vestee) McKinnes of Muskegon, Mich., Willie Kirtdoll of Detroit, Billy Kirtdoll of Dallas, Texas and Benny Kirtdoll of Grand Rapids, Mich.; sisters, Frances Roland and Martha Kirtdoll both of Detroit, Betty Ward of Pensacola, Fla., Mary (Ivery) Cross of Niles and Debra (L.C.) Fleming of Benton Harbor.

Funeral services for Josephine will be on Friday, April 13, at noon at Brown Funeral Home.

The interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Josephine Kirtdoll.
Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.

Evick, Catherine (Dean)

Mrs. William (Catherine Dean) Evick
1854-Oct. 28 1890


Niles Republican, Thursday, October 30, 1890, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

A Fearful Death

 

Our citizens were surprised and pained to hear, early on Wednesday morning , of the death of Mrs. Wm. Evick, from exposure to the severe storm of Tuesday night. Some time between ten o'clock and midnight, of Tuesday evening, Mrs. Evick left her home on Regent street, shoeless and dressed only in her night clothes. About midnight her husband discovered her absence and at once informed the neighbors and Marshal Shockley.  All joined in the search, but naturally enough confined their operations to that part of the city north of Main street, as Mrs. Evick's father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dean, live on Fifth street, north. Their anxious efforts to find the unfortunate lady were fruitless, but Green Finley, who started about daylight to drive to South Bend, discovered Mrs. Evick's body, cold in death, lying on the sidewalk on the corner of Fifth and Oak street, where she had perished from exposure and exhaustion. Mr. Finley gave the alarm and the body was soon conveyed to her late residence. Dr. Abbott, Coroner, summoned a jury and the verdict was in accordance with the facts as here stated. Mrs. Evick was out of her mind for a short time from the effects of a recent sickness, and was closely watched by her husband, but in spite of the careful vigilance manged to escape, with the sad result herein mentioned.

The funeral will take place from the residence, on Regent street, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The husband has the heartfelt sympathy of his many friends.

 

Harrison, Gertrude

Gertrude Harrison
April 7, 1875-July 4, 1944


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 4, 1944, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Gertrude Harrison Taken By Death;

Rites at 2 Friday

 

Mrs. Gertrude Harrison, 69, of 1605 Cherry street, died Tuesday afternoon in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Best, 1021 East Main street, after an illness of four weeks.

She was born in Indiana April 7, 1875, and came to Niles from Terre Haute 20 years ago.

She is survived by Mrs. Best and another daughter, Mrs. Nell Skinner, Niles; three grandsons in the service and a granddaughter; a sister, Mrs. Nettie Johnson, Niles; a brother, Charles W. Reed, Jasonville, Ind., and a niece, Mrs. Mayme Johnson, Niles.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon Friday when the body will be taken to the Full Gospel Assembly, where services will be conducted at 2 by the Rev. Harry Barnett. Burial will be in the Silverbrook Garden of Memory.

 

Hamilton, Edward L.

Edward L. Hamilton
Dec. 1833-March 11, 1876


Niles Republican, Thursday, March 16, 1876, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Edward L. Hamilton

 

All last week the people of this part of the county were anxiously concerned abut the serious illness of Edward L. Hamilton, and on Saturday afternoon when his death was announced after a brief sickness of just one week, there was evidence of general and deep regret over the loss of one who will be sorely missed by every class of our citizens.  Mr. Hamilton was but forty-two years old at the time of his death, and had been regarded as an unusually robust and sound man, but having inherited inflammatory rheumatism, from an attack of which he barely escaped with his life two years ago, he was an easy pray to disease.  Mr. Hamilton was a native of New York, but came here with his father in his boyhood and he grew up in and with this community. He was a man of marked individuality, possessing positive qualities in every direction. He had no negative traits.  He was a man of winning social qualities. Noble and generous hearted, he drew to him ardent friends in great number, and held them with firm and unyielding hold.  He knew everybody and everybody knew him, and few men of his positiveness had fewer enemies.  He was in sympathy with everything that was good, and with nothing that he regarded bad.  He loved to make those about him happy, and was successful in this direction to an unusual degree, with the old, the middle aged, and the young.  His funeral took place from the Presbyterian Church, on Monday, Rev. Dr. Eddy officiating. The attendance was unusually large, and the feeling unusually deep.  Mr. Hamilton leaves a wife and one son, who have the deep and heartfelt sympathy of a large circle of friends.


Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 18, 1876, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Edward L. Hamilton

It is our painful duty to announce this week the death of Edward L. Hamilton, whose decease occurred at his residence three miles north of this city, on Saturday, March 11th. Born in Bruton, N.Y., in December, 1833, he came to Michigan with his father when very young, settling near the then village of Niles, where he lived until 1856, when he married and purchased a part of the old Lardner farm, and has resided there ever since--adding now and then, as his means allowed, to his property, and supplying with every needed improvement.  He was a remarkable man, his faults and virtues standing out in bold relief.  No man had a fuller since of ridiculous, or was fonder of fun and innocent frolic than Mr. Hamilton. His wit and humor were inexhaustible, flowing from him constantly in social intercourse. He was conspicuously honest, just and honorable--a man of great kindness of heart.  His purity and uprightness as a man, both in public and private relations, were never called in question. In all his dealings he was especially distinguished for his love of justice and for his strong, practical sense.  Those who knew him intimately for the past twenty years, speaking from personal observation of his character as a man and citizen, and his fidelity as a friend, say that his real character fully sustained his high reputation, and bear testimony of his inexorable firmness in the right. He hated anything like trickery, yet, with all his firmness, he was mild and genial, so it was impossible not to love and respect him.  His genial manners, his warm heart and his sterling virtues as a man made him many friends and secured for him a universal esteem among the citizens of his section, with whom he had so long associated.
Edward Hamilton was ever loyal to Christian principles. He was a member of the Congregational Church of his city, until it ceased to exist, and although a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church, he had not united with it.  Yet he was a good man and was regarded by all.  Berrien county can boast of no more noble or upright citizen, or one whose death will be more universally deplored.
The funeral services were attended by a large concourse of people on Monday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church--Rev. Dr. Eddy's sermon was an eloquent eulogy on the deceased.   St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No. 4 was present in a body. The ceremonies both of the church and the grave, the latter being conducted by the Masons, James M. Babcock, W.M., were imposing and highly impressive.
Seldom has there been a funeral so largely attended in this city, and seldom has so deep a feeling of  sadness pervaded the community as on this occasion.

Kingsley, Emma

Emma Kingsley
April 19, 1873-Oct. 26, 1890


Niles Republican, Thursday, October 30, 1890, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Miss Emma Kingsley, formerly of this city, and a daughter of the late John Kingsley, died at her home in Pipestone on the 26th inst., and was buried in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Niles Republican, Thursday, October 30, 1890, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Kingsley, of Eau Claire, died Saturday last. Her funeral was held Monday at the Christian church in Eau Claire.

Kingsley, Sarah E. (Gray)

Sarah E. (Gray) Kingsley
Oct. 30, 1836-Dec. 25, 1926


Berrien Springs Era, Thursday, December 30, 1926, page 1, col. 4., microfilm Niles District Library

PIONER WOMAN TAKEN BY DEATH


MRS. SARAH KINGSLEY, NINETY YEAR OLD RESIDENT OF EAU CLAIRE, DIES SUNDAY

 

Sadness reined on Christmas day in the Kingsley home a few miles northeast of Eau Claire, because of the critical illness of "Grandma" Kingsley, ninety year old pioneer of this vicinity, who passed away Sunday after a few days' illness.  Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock and the body was laid to rest resides that of her husband, John S. Kingsley, who preceded her in death forty years ago. Rev. T.W. Bellingham of Benton Harbor, an old friend and pastor of the deceased delivered the funeral sermon and was assisted by Rev. A.E. Greensveld of the Eau Claire Community church. Mrs. R.C. Bishop and Mrs. Beulah Lybrook sang. Casket bearers were E.E. Baughman, Milton Preston, L.D. Tuttle, E.J. Smallidge, A.M. Bailey and J.M Paul.

Sarah E. Gray was born in Toledo, Ohio, October 30, 1836 and spent her early life in that state. She was united in marriage with John S. Kingsley July 25, 1853 and in 1872 they came to Eau Claire and establish a home on the farm where death occurred; the husband passing away in October 1886. For a number of years previous to 1872 the Kingsleys resided near Niles.

Mrs. Kingsley was the mother of nine chidlren[sic], four of whom are now living. They are George Kingsley of Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Rose LaMore of Clearwater, Idaho; Robert Kingsley of Benton Harbor and William Kingsley, who resided with his mother at the old home.  Besides these children, she is survived by one sister Mrs. M.A. Taylor of Berrien Springs, eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Always a kindly, hospitable neighbor, and unselfish mother and an industrious housewife, Mrs. Kingsley had countless friends who are saddened by her demise and who sympathize with the bereaved relatives in their sorrow.

 

Mansfield, Rosemary M. (Cox)

Rosemary Mansfield, 87
April 4, 1925-April 8, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published 11:08pm Monday, April 9, 2012

Mansfield

Died: April 8, 2012

Rosemary M. Mansfield, age 87 years formerly of Sycamore Street, Niles, died at 12:45 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, at Silverbrook Manor in Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on April 4, 1925, in Logansport, Ind., to Richard M. and Marvel D. (Rice) Cox. She attended Niles Community Schools, and lived in Niles most of her life. She served for many years as the hostess at the former Pickwick Dinner Club in downtown Niles.

Rosemary always supported the activities of her children, and was one of the first mothers to volunteer and coach in the FOP baseball program.

She was married on October 24, 1942, to Carl Ellsworth Mansfield, who preceded her in death on May 25, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Richard M. Cox and Marvel D. Cox-Galloway; and by her siblings, Frances E. Krieger, Dorothea A. Cox, Willard E. “Jack” Cox, Robert W. Cox and Don E. Cox.

Surviving family includes her sons, Carl E. (Susan) Mansfield, Jr. of Solon, Ohio, and James W. (Patricia) Mansfield of Niles; grandson, Troy K. (Kristy) Mansfield, great-grandson, Adam Mansfield; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Rosemary Mansfield will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Committal will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

In honor of the many years of compassionate and respectful care provided by the staff of Silverbrook Manor, the family suggests that contributions in memory of Rosemary be made to the Patient Activity Fund of Silverbrook Manor.