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.

Heckaman, Ralph J. Jr.

Ralph J. Heckaman, Jr.
July 19, 1922-Jan.8, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 9, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Ralph J. Heckaman, Jr., 39, 1896 Lewis Drive, died at 10:40 p.m. Monday en route to Pawating Hospital.

He was born July 19, 1922, in South Bend,and moved to Niles 10 years ago. On December 9, 1945, he was married to Betty Lou Schrumpf in Niles. Mr. Heckaman was employed by Tyler Mfg. Co. in Production Control. He was a veteran of World War II.

Surviving besides his wife are his parents, Mr.and Mrs. Ralph L. Heckamon[sic] Sr., South Bend; a daughter, Anna Marie Heckaman, at home; a sister, Mrs. Ernest Bryant, South Bend, and a brother, Laird Heckaman, Niles.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Riggs, reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Merritt, Evelyn Mae

Evelyn Mae Merritt
March 25, 1891-Jan. 12, 1962


Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 12, 1962, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Evelyn Mae Merritt, 70, 1202 N. 6th St., died at 4:10 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital following a seven-year illness.

She was born March 25, 1891, in Niles, and had been a life-long resident. She was married to Roy Merritt in Niles Aug. 20, 1912.  Mrs. Merritt was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Eastern Star, the White Shrine and the War Mothers.

Surviving besides her husband are: three daughters, Mrs. John Peth of Chicago, Mrs. C. William McOmber of Maywood, Ill., and Mrs. Tom Marshall of South Holland, Ill.; seven grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Walter Crandall and Mrs. Alene Bowen, both of Niles.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home beginning Saturday afternoon. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Visel, Anne

Miss Anne Visel
April 5, 1877-Jan. 13, 1962


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 13, 1962, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Anne Visel, 5th St., former Republican first ward supervisor and Niles city treasurer, died at 4:15 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital, where she had been  a patient since Dec. 28. She had been in failing health for five years.

Miss Visel was born April 5, 1877, in Niles, and had lived her lifetime here. She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed) and of the Order of Eastern Star, which she had served as a past matron.

During her political career, she served 1939-1940 as first ward supervisor and as city treasurer from 1928 to 1930.

Her only survivors are a brother, George Visel, Dunedin, Fla., and nieces and nephews, Mrs. Robert Apted, 609 N. 5th St.; Miss Ruth Visel and Mrs. Margaret McLauchlin, both 712 N. 4th St.; Mrs. Lloyd Weldy, 1434 Regent St., Mrs. Albert Mass, of Birmingham, Mich., and George Visel, Pearl City, Ill.

Funeral services wil be at 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral home with the Rev. Richard Fraser, Pastor of St. John's Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

 

 

Messner, Jenny Ann

Jenny Ann Messner
January 13, 1962

Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 15, 1962, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Committal Rites Held

Committal services were held this morning at Silverbrook Cemetery for Jenny Ann Messner, infant daughter of Mr.and Mrs. James R. Messner, 1328 Howard St. who died at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, nine hours after birth in Pawating Hospital. The Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiated.

Surviving besides the parents are a brother, Andrew Robert, at home,and the grandparents, Mrs. Ruth Messner, of Kokomo, Ind.,and Mr.and Mrs. Ivory Olinghouse, of 1227 Rose Drive.

Arrangements were made by the Pifer Funeral Home

 

Huffman, Lyle E.

Lyle E. Huffman
Dec. 14, 1913-Jan. 17, 1962


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 18, 1962, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Lyle E. Huffman, 48, route three, Pucker St., died at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday in Pawating Hospital after a one-month illness.

He was born Dec. 14, 1913 in Niles and had lived his lifetime in the community.  Mr. Huffman was employed and director of Producers Dairy, Inc. serving 26 years with the company.  On April 11, 1936, he married Ethel Hubbard in South Bend.  He was a member of the Morris Chapel Methodist Church.

Surviving besides his wife are a daughter, Mrs. Russell A. Noggle, and a son, Fred L. Huffman, both of Niles; three grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Adolph Westlunds, Michigan Center, and three brothers, Robert, Niles, Cleo, South Bend, and Melvin, Michigan Center.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home, where funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Maurice D. McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Davis, Alice (Miltenberger)

Alice Davis
Jan. 20, 1917-Jan. 19, 1962


Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 19, 1962, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Alice Davis, 44, 1157 Marion, died today at 7:40 a.m. in Pawating Hospital after one day of illness.

She was born in Niles, Jan. 20, 1917 and was a life-long resident.

Survivors include her father, Cleo Miltenberger, 206 Philip Road; her husband, William Davis, 1157 Marion; two daughters, Mrs. Walter VanKirk, 935 Michigan, Mrs. Kendall Kirk, 122 S. 4th St.; a son, Richard Davis, in service at Honolulu; three grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Wayne Ward, South Bend, Mrs. Russell Davis, Owens Road, Mrs. William Hibbard, 1834 Sycamore, Mrs. Ruth Werntz, North 11th St.,and a brother, Robert Miltenberger, 1402 Marion.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral  Home starting tomorrow afternoon. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 20, 1962, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SERVICES SET MONDAY

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home for Mrs. Alice Davis, 44, of 11 57 Marion St., who died Friday in Pawating Hospital following an illness of one day. The Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.



Culp, Donald O.

Donald O. Culp
Dec. 29, 1892-Jan. 21, 1962


Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 22, 1962, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Donald O. Culp, 69, of 224 N. 5th St., died at 8:15 a.m. Sunday in his home following a year of failing health.

Mr. Culp was born Dec. 29, 1892, in Van Wert, Ohio, and came to Niles in 1935 from Jackson. He had served for some time as pastor of Friends Church on Clark Street here.

Surviving are: his widow, Gladys; two sons, John Culp, 314 N. 16th St., and Harold Culp, 1420 Hickory St., and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Friends Church with the Rev. J. Edwin Newby of Kokomo, Ind., officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the Pifer Funeral Home.