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.
Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:15pm Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Vera Bruner, 92
Vera Belle Bruner, 92, of Riveridge Manor, Niles, died at 6:31 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at Riveridge Manor of natural causes.
No services will be held. Cremation has taken place.
Doris Darlene Dunifin Biggs
Nov. 2, 1937-May 30, 2009
Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:48pm Monday, June 1, 2009
By Staff
Doris Darlene Dunifin Biggs, 71, of Thomson Road, Niles, died at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the Hospice House, South Bend, Ind.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Buchanan Seventh Day Adventist Church, with Pastor Karl Tsatalbasidis, officiating.
Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
She was born on Nov. 2, 1937, in Niles to Floyd and Inza Dunifin.
She was a member of the Buchanan Seventh Day Adventist Church, and was baptized on April 16, 2005. She was a homemaker and lived her lifetime in Niles.
She loved her church family and her volunteer work at the Niles City Library.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She was very active in genealogy research. She spent many years doing research of the family back to the 1600s.
On Dec. 12, 1955, in St. Joseph, she married Walter L. Biggs, who survives.
Surviving family also includes three sons, Walter Earl Biggs of Pembroke Pines, Fla., William John Biggs of South Bend, Ind. and Bruce Allen Biggs of Cheyenne, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Edward Dunifin of Cassopolis and Robert Dunifin of Niles; and sisters, Dorothy Wallace of Buchanan and Bernice Black of Mishawaka, Ind.
She loved her family home and her flowers. She loved their trips all over the United States.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House of South Bend, Ind. and the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.
Lewis Zechlin, 74
Jan. 13, 1938 — Jan. 30, 2012
Niles Daily Star,Published online 8:25pm Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Lewis “Sparky” Zechlin, 74, of Niles, passed away at his home Monday, Jan. 30, 2012.
Sparky was born Jan. 13, 1938, to the late Eli and Marie (Smith) Zechlin in Niles.
On June 3, 1961, Sparky wed the love of his life, Patricia (Cottrell) Zechlin.
Sparky was in retail sales for 35 years until he retired. Sparky and his family will always have wonderful memories of their time up north and the countless hours watching the Chicago Bears in his basement.
After his retirement Sparky couldn’t resist and went back to work as a pizza delivery driver for Saylor’s Pizza, where he was fondly known as “Sparky the Pizza Man” by many around town.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Michael Zechlin; and sister, Martha Vernier.
Sparky is survived by his daughter, Kim Zechlin, of Niles; sister, Doris Kennedy of Niles; and one grandson.
A memorial service to honor Sparky’s life will be held Thursday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. with a time of visitation two hours prior. Sparky will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Those wishing to make memorial donations may do so to the family.
Those wishing to leave a message of comfort, upload a photo or send their condolences to the family may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles.
Mary Ann (Ward) Sampson
Dec. 10, 1810-April 19, 1888
Niles Republican, Thursday, April 26, 1888, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Mary Ann Ward Sampson was born at Otsego, New York, Dec. 10, 1810.
While quite young she removed with her parents to Fulton county, Ind., where she lived until 1843, when she was married to Elisha M. Sampson. The year following they removed to Michigan, landing in Niles on the 4th of July, 1844. She has lived in Niles ever since. The last eight years she had resided with her daughter, Mrs. M. Hatfield, Niles township, where she departed this life April 19th. Mrs. Sampson was a noble woman in every sense of the word; ever ministering to the wants of others, but unwilling that others should do aught for her. Being a great reader, she kept posted on all the literary topics of the day, but among her many books she valued her Bible most dear, as it gave her hope and consolation in her declining years.
John C. Krauss
Feb. 7, 1843*-May 7, 1888
Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 13, 1882, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
John C. Kraus[sic], died at his residence on Second street, in this city, after a few days' illness, on Sunday last, in the 38th year of his age. He leaves a wife and interesting daughter to mourn his untimely end. His remains were followed to their last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery, on Tuesday last, by a large procession of friends and neighbors.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, May 10, 1882, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
J.C. Krauss was taken with an epileptic fit on Friday afternoon last and died on Sunday evening at 8 o'clock, aged 39 years and three months.
James E. Cummings
Oct.7, 1834*-Jan. 12, 1875
Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 23, 1875, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
At the residence of his sister, Mrs. Ira Shepardson, On Tuesday, January 12th, 1875, of consumption, JAMES E. CUMMINGS, aged 41 years.
He returned from Virginia City, Nevada, last fall, whither he had gone in the hope of benefitting[sic] his health. Finding no relief, he returned home to die, and be buried near kindred. His death was calm and peaceful.
Ethel A. Hart
October 17, 1881-May 7, 1882
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, May 10, 1882, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Ethel A., only child of L.G. and Nettie Hart, died very unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, aged 6 months and 20 days. She was a beautiful child, perfect in form and feature, and was the joy of parents and grandparents. With the exception of troubles incident to teething, she appeared to be in the best of health, but Saturday she seemed to suffer somewhat, but no danger was apprehended. Sunday she went into spasms and died about 2 o'clock. The bereft parents have the sincere sympathy of all our citizens.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 13, 1882, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
On Sunday afternoon, May 7th, Ethel A., only child of L.G. and Nettie Hart, aged six months and twenty days.
"Safe in the arms of Jesus."
