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.

Burke, Eliza

editor Obituaries

Eliza Burke
May 30, 1842-May 20, 1915

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 20, 1915, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS ELIZA BURKE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING AT 10:10

Ill only one week with pneumonia, Miss Eliza Burke passed away this morning at 10:10 o'clock. She was a sister of the late Mrs. Thos. DeMott, the shock of whose death is thought to have been the direct cause of her demise, as she had apparently been very depressed and deeply grieved ever since the sad news was told her.

Miss Burke had been making her home with the brother, A.R. Burke on the old Starkweather farm, north of the city, and it was here that she passed away. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. There are many friends and deep admirers of the deceased lady, who are today sincerely mourning her loss.

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, May 21, 1915, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

IN MEMORIAM

ELIZA BURKE

May 30, 1842-May 20, 1915

Enfeebled by a year of intermittent illness, Eliza Burke was fatally stricken by the shock of the sudden death of her sister, Mrs. Thomas Demott. After a week of acute suffering the end came.

Of a family of twelve Miss Burke was the sixth to pass away. Prior to the death of Mrs. Demott the others who had gone were, Mrs. Irving Clendenen, Chicago; Mrs. Frank Sparks, Niles; Mrs. Henderson, Easton, Eau Claire; and John Rodgers Burke, Niles.

Of Miss Burke's immediate household, Alexander Rodgers Burke is left alone.

Eliza Burke was the fourth daughter of the late Hon. Andrew Lewis Burke and Margaret Rodgers, Virginians, who began their pioneer life together in 1821, when they took up many acres of land lying along the St. Joseph river between Niles and  Berrien Springs.

In this homestead Miss Burke was born and lived for sixty-four years--until she and her brother Alexander exchanged it for her late home place.

In her fourteenth year she became a pupil at St. Mary's Academy, at Notre Dame, Indiana, and when her convent days were over returned to her father's home, where she began a life of unremitting care for those she loved--for her bereaved father and his motherless children.

As one by one the children left for other homes, and the father passed away, there still remained the brother, Alexander, to receive the comfort of her mothering.

Like many another single woman, Miss Burke possessed to an unusual degree the mother-heart, and its natural cravings found an outlet in the kindly ministrations that brought peace to many a troubled one that sought her sympathy.

Retiring as she was, her life of loyal service has obtained for her a boundless gratitude that will enshrine her in the faithful memory of many for years to come.

 

Brooks, Freddie Jean

editor Obituaries

Freddie Jean Brooks
Aug. 15, 1935-March 15, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 17, 1975, page 2, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-- Mrs. Freddie Jean Brooks, 39, of 1613 Huron St., died at 10:26 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Hospital in South Bend after an extended illness.

She was born Aug. 15, 1935, in Jackson, Tenn., and lived in Niles 11 years, coming from South Bend. A member of St. Paul's Baptist Church of South Bend, she married Nelson Brooks in 1951.

He survives, along with her mother, Mrs. Eliza Nettles of South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mt. Calvery[sic] Baptist church with the Rev. Brooker West of St. Paul's Baptist Church and the Rev. W.L. Daniel of Mt. Calvary Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 18, 1975, page 2, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-Funeral services for Mrs. Freddie Jean Brooks, 39, of  1613 Huron St., who died Saturday, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home instead of at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church as previously announced.  The Rev. Brooker West of St. Paul's Baptist Church of South Bend will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.

 

Wiars, Myrtis M.

editor Obituaries

Myrtis M. Wiars
June 11, 1899-March 14, 1975

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 17, 1975, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Myrtis M. Wiars, 75, of 640 S. St. Joseph Ave., died at 11:50 pm. Friday at his home after an illness of three years.

A member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the St. Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge, he was a former employe of the French Paper Co. and the U.S. Aviax Corp.

Born June 11, 1899 in Covert, Mich., he lived in Niles since 1919. On June 11, 1922 in Niles, he married the former Helen M. Renz. she survives, along with a son, Dale of Wauwautosa, Wis.; a brother, Howard of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Marvin Hedstrom of Niles; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 pm. Tuesday at the Halbritter funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Graham of the Wesley United Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 pm. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Wesley United Church Memorial Fund or to the Michigan Heart Association.

 

Rosewarne, Charles F.

editor Obituaries

Charles F. Rosewarne
1818-Nov. 28, 1898

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, November 30, 1898, page 1, col, 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

The Mortuary Record

From Monday's Star.

At 4 o'clock this morning, as the darkness of night was melting into the light of day, the soul of the late Chas F. Rosewarne, a man whose integrity was equalled only by his genial manners, departed from its earthly habitation and passed into the impenetrable depths of shadowland.

Mr. Rosewarne had been ailing during the past six months or more. However, as there appeared no symptoms that would indicate any particular disease, it is thought that he died of "old age"--the cause ascribed when the allotted time on earth has passed and death claims its due.

The deceased was born in Cornwall, England 80 years ago and came to Michigan in '35. He had resided for many years on his farm three and one-half miles southeast of town. Mr. Rosewarne was one of the oldest and most respected of the pioneers of  this section.

He leaves a wife and 8 children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and indulgent father.  The children are: Mrs. E.D. Lovell, Chicago; Mrs. Sylus Gorton, Niles; Miss Georgie, Chicago; Sidney and Hugh, Niles; Henry, who resides at the homestead; John of Tennessee and Charles of Springfield, Ill. The children are all here now with the exception of John and Charles who will probably arrive shortly.

In '48 he wedded Miss Sarah A. Smith of Milford, Conn.

Mr. Rosewarne was married over fifty years and up to the present time there had never been a death in the family--a rare circumstance, indeed.

The funeral service will be conducted by Rev. Frederick Hall, at the late residence of the deceased on Wednesday at 11 a.m.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 30, 1898, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of the late Chas. F. Rosewarne was held from the residence, one and one-half miles southeast of town this morning. Services were conducted at the house by Rev. Frederick Hall at 11 o'clock. Interment was in Silver Brook Cemetery.  Aside from the relatives, a vast concourse of friends of the deceased attended the remains to the grave.

 

Rosewarne, William H.

editor Obituaries

William H. Rosewarne
abt, 1812-Sept. 16, 1884

Niles Democrat, Saturday, September 20, 1884, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mr. Wm. H. Rosewarne, an old and esteemed citizen of Niles and the vicinity, died on Tuesday  last, aged 72 years. He came to the United States from England when but sixteen years of age. After residing New York for some time he came to this place in 1834 and has since resided here. Of late years bodily infirmity has kept him from an active life, but he is pleasantly recollected as an earnest worker in the Sunday School of Trinity Church many years, and as a devout and pleasant Christian gentleman. He leaves a son, Mr. Wm. H. Rosewarne, Jr., and a daughter, Mrs. Edwin L. Gillette, to mourn his loss. His funeral took place on Wednesday and was largely attended by sorrowing friends.

The Republican, Niles, Thursday Sept.18,1884

Death of William H. Rosewarne

William H. Rosewarne, one of the oldest and most upright citizens in this vicinity, died at his home in Milton Township, three miles from this city, Monday the 15th inst, in the 72d year of his age.

Mr. Rosewarne was the son of the late Dr. John Rosewarne, who was a pupil of the renowned Sir Astley Cooper. He was born at Cornwall, England, and began the study of surgery under his Father, but his removal to America in 1830, determined him to become a farmer instead. After residing for a time in Canandaigua, N.Y., he removed in 1834, to this place, where he has resided most of the time since. For upwards of twenty year he was a trusted employee of the M.C.R.R. Co., but returned to his farm when his health would no longer permit him to discharge the arduous duties of railroad life. Mr. Rosewarne was an obliging, kind-hearted friend and neighbor; one who never forgot to be a gentleman. For many years and especially since the death of his estimable wife, in 1876, he was prevented by the inroads of disease and the growing infirmities of age, from active business, but his interest of the passing events of daily life was unabated and the warm clasp of the hand and the hearty "God Bless You," with which he greeted his friends, seemed like a benediction. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. He leaves two children, a son and a daughter--Mrs. Edwin Gillette

Bedford, John

editor Obituaries

John Bedford
March 12, 1882-Sept. 15, 1884

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, September 24, 1884, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

John, an infant son of John Bedford, died on the 15th inst., aged 2 years, 6 months and 3 days.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, September 30, 1884, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED


Monday, Sept. 15, of flux, John, infant son of John Bedford, aged 2 years, 3 days.



Sheldon, Thomas

editor Obituaries

Thomas Sheldon
1790-Sept. 30, 1860

Niles Enquirer, Wednesday, October 3, 1860, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mr. Thomas Sheldon, of this city, committed suicide on Saturday, of last week, by throwing himself from the bridge at the foot of Main Street, into the St. Joseph River. he was seen and taken from the water in a brief period of time, but all efforts to resusitate him proved unavailing. he was undoubtedly injured by the fall, the distance to the water, from the railing of the bridge, being nearly forty feet. Mr. Sheldon was a very old man, and had for sometime shown symptoms of insanity, and was, we doubt not, deranged. he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an esteemed and worthy citizen.

Niles Republican, Saturday, October 6, 1860, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SUICIDE--Thomas Sheldon, an elderly gentleman, who has resided with Mr. A.M. Hunt, his son-in-law, of this city, for some time, went down to the bridge at the foot of Main street, on Saturday forenoon last and jumped down some 35 feet into the river and was drowned, before he could be reached. It is said various troubles had deranged his mind which caused him to commit the deed.

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