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.

Stabler, Ida Florence (Davis) 1873-1930

editor Obituaries

Ida Florence Stabler
May 23, 1873-Oct. 12, 1930*

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, October 15, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL SERVICES FOR MRS. STABLER

Funeral services were held this afternoon in the Troost & Augustine chapel for Mrs. Ida Florence Stabler, wife of Arthur Stabler, who died in Nevada, Iowa, where she had an operation. Mr. and Mrs. Stabler resided on what was formerly the F.J. Plym farm north of Niles, now owned by D.E. Stultz of Chicago. Mrs. Stabler was born in Illinois in 1873. The funeral services were conducted by an elder from Emmanuel Missionary college. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

*DOB/DOD and Maiden Name from Iowa Death Certificates@Ancestry.com

Valentine, Vernon L. 1917-1993

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Vernon L. Valentine
Aug. 24, 1917-Feb. 18, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 19, 1993, page 2, col. 4-5, microfilm Niles District Library

Vernon L.
Valentine
1917-1993
retired plate handler
at Simplicity Pattern

Funeral services [for] Vernon Lowell Valentine, 75, 1121 N. Seventh St., Niles are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Pastor W.W. Green, of Westminster Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Military rites will be conducted by LaRue Messenger Post 26 of the American Legion.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Valentine died at 2:45 p.m. Thursday [at] St. Joseph Medical Center in South Bend after a long illness.

Born Aug. 24, 1917, in Niles, he was a plate maker.

He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He was a member of the BPO Elks Lodge 1322, the LaRue Messenger Post 26 of the American Legion and was a life member of the VFW Post 2098 in South Bend.

Survivors include a brother, Maurice Valentine of Niles.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Vetterly, Leland E. Sr. 1900-1993

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Leland E. Vetterly, Sr.
April 5, 1900-Feb. 24, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, February 27, 1993, page 2, col. 7-8, correcting obit from February 26, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Leland E.
Vetterly Sr.
1900-1993
Retired Railroad
conductor

Funeral services for Leland E. Vetterly Sr., 92, 604 Wayne St., Niles, are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ralph Pletcher, retired minister of Coulter's Chapel Church of God, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Vetterly died Wednesday at home following a long illness.

Born April 5, 1900, in Furnessville, Ind., he lived in Niles since 1921, coming from Michigan City.

In 1918, he marred the late Estella Trampski, who preceded him in Death in 1958. On March 12, 1977, in Niles, he married the former Arietta Carpenter, who preceded him in death.

He was a Railroad conductor, retiring in 1965 after working on the railroad for 50 years.

He as a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Niles Eagles Lodge.

Survivors include two daughters, Ruth McConnell of Niles and Jacqueline Marsh of Buchanan; a son, Leland E. Vetterly Jr. of Niles; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Two sisters preceded him in death.

Friends may call after today until the service at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort St. Joseph Museum.

 

Summers, Emma L. (Robbins) 1933-2021

editor Obituaries

Emma L. Summers
Dec. 24, 1933-Sept. 14, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 3:24 pm Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Emma Summers, 87, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at her home. Arrangements are pending & entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Published online at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Emma L Summers

Emma L. Summers, 87, of Niles passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Christmas Eve of 1933, in Niles to the late Charlie F. and Mary E. (Fitzgerald) Robbins. Emma graduated from Niles High School, class of 1952. On October 14, 1956, she wed George W. Summers at a ceremony in Niles. She worked as a service clerk for the City of Niles Utilities, retiring after more than thirty years of service. She was a member of Hope Community Church in Niles. Emma found great enjoyment at working puzzles, and playing games both in paperback as well as electronically. She often spent time watching classic television, and the Game Show Network. She was an avid reader of Christian Fiction and was the kind of woman who lived her faith. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George, and a sister, Donna Belle DeForest. Emma is survived by her daughter, Rev. Sheryl (James) Blake of Niles; a son, Barry Summers of Niles; grandchildren; Andrea Blake of Mishawaka and Ariana (Jacob) Grabill of Mishawaka; her family by love, Scott and Kristi Craig and their children, Lauryn, Oliviah, Lucie and Scotty James. She will also be missed by other relatives and countless friends. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2021. at 3:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Nathanael Lyon officiating. A time of visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. An interment will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Emma’s memory to Hope Community Church, Lake Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Memories of Emma may be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. The family of Emma Summers is being cared for by Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

McCall, Brian Keith 1963-2021

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Brian Keith McCall
Sept. 25, 1963-Sept. 7, 2021

Published online at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Brian Keith McCall

Brian Keith McCall, affectionately known as “Peabody”, 57, of Buchanan, Michigan passed away suddenly, of natural causes on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana. He was born on September 25, 1963, in Waukegan, Illinois to the late Ernest Sr. and Judith McCall. After attending high school, Brian worked for many years as a custodian. He had a vivacious personality and always made people around him feel loved and important. He was supportive, and never missed milestone celebrations of family and friends. Brian also enjoyed cooking, reading, singing, and was an immaculate dresser. Anyone who knew him was touched by his kindness, humor, and smile. He was a source of positivity – shining light on the lives of many others. His greatest light was Xzavier L. Brown, who came into his life several years ago and whom he later adopted in 2019. Being a devoted and loving father was one of his greatest blessings and joys. Brian taught us all to live rich and meaningful lives in the face of adversity. Although he battled health complications for many years, he never allowed them to define him or stop him from living a most fulfilling life. He was preceded in death by his parents. Brian is survived by his son, Xzavier L. Brown; his siblings, Ernest Jr. (Cindy) McCall, Laura McCall, Leslie McCall, Yolanda (Bryant) Duncan, Dion Branch and Latoya Branch; a special aunt, Maxine Walker; three uncles, Roger Miller, Sam Whitehead and Leroy Lloyd; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Noon at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. officiating. A time of visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral. Brian will be laid to rest at a private service on Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery. Memories and photos of Brian may be shared with his family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Boley, Rodney Lynn 1964-2021

editor Obituaries

Rodney Lynn Boley
Dec. 6, 1964-Sept. 6, 2021

Published online on Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Rodney Lynn Boley

Rodney Lynn Boley, 56, of Niles, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, at St Vincent hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on December 16, 1964, in Goshen, Indiana, to David and Sharon (Schrock) Boley. Rodney graduated in 1983, from Northwood High School. Rodney married the love of his life, Denise Knapp, on August 26, 1989, at the Christian Center Church in South Bend, thru that union, two beautiful daughters were born. Rodney felt the sun rose in his “girls” he would do anything in the world for them. When the grandsons came along, he knew his life was complete. He was a true family man, he made sure that they were always taken care of, maybe even spoiling them. Rodney was always happy, and incredibly optimistic, always encouraging others to live life without fear. He lived life carefree, and to the fullest, laughed often, and always the life of every gathering. His most treasured moments were spent with his family, especially swimming with his grandsons. Rodney has traveled the country, hauling cars, for LNR Transport. He loved his job, even when the road was challenging, especially over the mountains. He was proud of his job, and who he was. He was preceded in death by his father, David Boley. Rodney is survived by his wife, Denise Boley of Niles; daughters, Sharla Kohnen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Alexis Boley of Niles; grandsons, Kyle Boley, and Brock Boley; his mother, Sharon (David) Frye of Goshen; brothers, Jason (Tammy) Boley, and Mark Boley; along with many nieces, nephews and friends whom he often considered family. A Private Family Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, September 14,2021. Memorial contributions in Rodney’s memory can be directed to his family in care of Brown Funeral Home. 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.

Palmer, Karen L. (Miller) 1956-2021

editor Obituaries

Karen Palmer, of Niles
Oct. 21, 1956-Sept. 5, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:02 pm Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Karen Palmer, 64, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Published online at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services website:

Obituary of Karen Louise Palmer

Karen L. Palmer, 64, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. She was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on October 21, 1956, to Robert and Violet (Skidmore) Miller. On May 6, 1978, she married Leland Palmer at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Niles. That union was blessed with two children. In 2005, Karen began driving bus for the Tri-County Headstart Program. She wasn’t a woman who needed much to make her happy, it wasn’t the label on her clothing, it wasn’t the car she drove, and fancy things didn’t impress her. Karen found great enjoyment in life’s simple pleasures. She loved the time with her family, and a favorite vacation spot was Central Lake just north of Traverse City where they enjoyed many camping trips. She made sure the meals were cooked, the campfire was going, and everyone had a good time. Karen was a no-nonsense, tell it like it is, kind of woman. You didn’t have to wonder what she was thinking, she would certainly tell you and she didn’t beat around the bush. She simply told it like it was. Karen was very stubborn at times, you couldn’t convince her to do anything that she wasn’t in favor of. If you heard her raise her voice and exclaim, “Oh, hell no!” you knew that was the end of the conversation. She took great pride in taking care of her family and she was fiercely protective of her children; taking on any teacher, administrator, or perceived bully, to defend them, though little in stature Karen could go toe to toe with anyone messing with her family, especially her children. As tough as Karen was she had such a soft spot for children. She drove a bus for over fifteen years for the Tri-County Head Start and those children all found a place in Karen’s heart. She was preceded in death by her father Robert Miller; and her brother, Ron Grahl. Karen is survived by her husband, Leland Palmer of Niles; son, Nathan (Mandy) Palmer of Three Rivers; daughter, Sarah Palmer of Niles; grandsons; Chase, Carson, Christopher, and Nathan; her mother, Violet Gillis of Niles; sister, Dorothy Uhl of Sullivan Missouri; brothers, Jerry Grahl of South Bend; Scott Grahl of South Bend; along with several nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather for a time of visitation on Friday, September 10, 2021, from noon until 2:00 PM, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St. Niles, Michigan. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Karen’s family will miss the way she insisted on taking care of everyone, her laugh, and yes even her stubbornness. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Niles.

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