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.

Shaler, Susan

Susan Shaler
June 18, 1956-Sept. 4, 1956


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 6, 1956, page 2, col 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Susan Shaler, 2-month-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dolan Shaler, of 1331 Wayne Street, died at 2:15 a.m., Wednesday in Pawating Hospital following an illness since birth. She was born June 18 in Benton Harbor and besides her parents is survived by a sister, Judy, at home; and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. [illegible], Niles and Mrs. Mina Shaler, of Boyne City, Mich.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral home with  the Rev. Chester Wetzel, assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Skinner, Shirley Sarah Ann (Iverson)

Shirley Sarah Ann Skinner (Iverson)
March 7, 1933-Nov. 21, 2004


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 23, 2004, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Services will be held today at 2 p.m. at Brown-Pifer Fuenral Home and Cremation Services, Niles, for Shirley Sarah Ann (Iverson) Skinner, 71, of Hively Street, Elkhart, Ind.  A time of visitation  will take place two hours prior to the service. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Skinner, formerly of Florence, S.C., died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at Rosewood Terrace Nursing Home.

She was born on March 7, 1933, in Madison, S.D. to the late George and Lena (Ostrander) Iverson.

A retail clerk for many years, she also enjoyed going to garage sales, auctions, flea markets, working crossword puzzles and watching NASCAR races.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers: Melvin, Richard,and George Iverson, Jr., and a sister Margaret Okerbloom.

Survivors include her husband: Marvin L. Skinner, Sr., a son Marvin L. Skinner Jr., a granddaughter Samantha Skinner, four great-grandchildren, all of San Joe, Calif., a brother Leon (Judith ) Iverson of Yorkville, Ill., two sisters Ruth Utley of Elkhart, Ind. and DeEtta Hunt of Florence, S.C., and many loving nieces and nephews.

Memoral contributions can be made in her memory to the American Lung Association.

 

Smith, Richard Lee

Richard Lee Smith
April 5, 1947-April 6, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 7, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

COMMITTAL RITES TUESDAY

Committal services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Silverbrook cemetery for the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Benny Smith, rural route two, who died Sunday at Pawating hospital.

The child was born on Saturday.  Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home.

 

Smith, Dorothy Amanda

Dorothy Amanda Smith
March 5, 1870-April 2, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 2, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Major Smith

Mrs. Dorothy Amanda Smith, 77, widow of the late Major Smith, who died March 4, succumbed today at 4:30 am. at Pawating hospital after 10 days' illness.

Mrs. Smith, who made her home at 524 Huron street, came here from Comanche, Ia., 57 years ago. She had been born in Missouri, March 5, 1870.

Survivors include: a son, Robert, Niles; and two sisters, Mrs. Dell Marston, Niles and Mrs. Vina Hudson, Dowagiac.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be held Friday at 4 p.m. The Rev. Clarence K. Graham will officiate. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

 

 

Steiner, Lorraine I.

Lorraine I. Steiner
Nov. 3, 1901-Nov. 6, 2004


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 9, 2004, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Lorraine I. Steiner, 103, of Tomahawk Lane, Niles, are 11 a.m. Thursday, at the Graveside Silverbrook Cemetery by the Rev. Lloyd A. Phillips of Niles.

Steiner died Saturday, Nov. 6 at Lakeland Hospital, Niles, of natural causes.

She was born Nov. 3, 1901, in Kalamazoo.

On May 31, 1924, in Battle Creek, she married Ollie J. Steiner, who preceded her in death.

Steiner retired after 37 years as an Executive Secretary for Simplicity Pattern company.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the Business and Professional Women's Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 332.

Survivors include, several great nephews and nieces.

Steiner was also preceded in death by one sister, Kathleen Atkinson.

There will be no visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church.

 

Jacobson, James M.

James M. Jacobson
June 26, 1894-April 2, 1947


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 2, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

JAMES JACOBSON DIES

 

James M. Jacobson, 52, of 524 North Sixteenth street, died today at 12:50 am. in the Berrien Center hospital. He had been in poor health . . .[illegible].

Born June 26, 1894, in Little Falls, Minn., Jacobson came to Niles from Wisconsin, 25 years ago. He married Lena Heckathorn in 1916 at Galien.  Here he was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church.

Surviving are his wife; two . .  [illegible] . . both at home, and three brothers, Albert and Thomas Jacobson, Madison, Wis., and Otto Jacobson, Phoenix, Ariz.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until noon Friday when the body will be taken to St. Paul's Lutheran church for services at 2 p.m.  The Rev. Theodore Laesch will conduct the rites and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Johnson, Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae Johnson
May 20, 1892-Aug. 24, 1956

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, August 25, 1956, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Fannie Mae Johnson, 64, of 2601 North Fifth Street, died at 2:35 pm. Friday in Pawating Hospital following an extended period of poor health.

Mrs. Johnson, a member of the Daughters of America here, was born May 20, 1892, in Elliott County,Ky., and came to Niles 54 years ago from Wolverine, Mich.

Surviving are her husband, William; her father, Frank Adkins, of Sandyhook, Ky.; two sons, Emerson and Homer Vaughn, both of Niles; three daughters, Mrs. Herman Kroll, of Edwardsburg; Mrs. Harold Linter, of Buchanan, and Mrs. Joseph Howard, of Niles; four brothers, Alvin, Ollie, Willie and Thomas Adkins, all of Kentucky; two sisters, Miss Cora Adkins of Kentucky, and Mrs. Stella Eldridge, of Palestine, Ark.; 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm. , Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray McCoy, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.