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.

Wood, Louise Emma (Reum)

Louise Emma Wood
Feb. 3, 1885-Feb. 26, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 26, 1941, page 2,  col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Native of Niles Township Dies in Rural Home

 

Mrs. Louisa Emma Wood, 56, died in her home, Route 4, Dowagiac, at 4:15 this morning after two months' illness.

She was a native of Niles township, where she was born Feb. 3, 1885 and had lived in the home where she died since 1927.

She was the wife of William Wood, who survives.  She also leaves a daughter, Mary Louise, at home; a sister, Mrs. Russell File, Niles; and three brothers, Frank C. Reum and Fred L. Reum, Niles, and Gus Reum, South Bend.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood were married in Detroit in 1910.

Services will be Friday afternoon at 2:30 in Price and Kiger funeral chapel. The Rev. Theo Eisen will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 28, 1941, page 2,  col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Emma L. Wood Service Held Today

 

Services were conducted this afternoon in the Price and Kiger chapel for Mrs. Louise Emma Wood who died Wednesday in her home, Route 4, Dowagiac.

The Rev. Theo Eisen officiated and burial was in Silverbrook.

Pallbearers were Leonard Wiggins, Ernest Crouch, Marvin File, Robert File, Wallce Beehler and Richard Koenigshof.

 

 

 

Kay, Maude

Maude Kay
July 11, 1856-Feb. 25, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 26, 1941, page 2,  col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Maude Kay, Niles Resident 30 Years, is Dead

 

Mrs. Maude Kay, 84, who came to Niles 30 years ago from Porter, Ind., died Tuesday afternoon at 3:15 in her home at 926 North Fifth street. She had been ill three days of heart trouble.

Mrs. Kay, the widow of Thomas Kay who died in 1934, was born in England. She was a member of St. Mary's church and was active in the Rosary society.

Survivors include four children, Mrs. Mathew Kuebbler, Toledo, O.: Thomas Kay, Michigan City, Ind.; John Kay, Hamlet, Ill., and George Kay, Chicago. Four children, James, William and Nellie Kay and Mrs. Edward Malone, preceded her in death.

Friends may call at the Kay home. Requiem high mass will be read Friday morning at 9 at St. Mary's by the Rev. Fr. Joseph M. Rochford. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 27, 1941, page 2,  col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

SERVICE FOR MRS. KAY

 

Requiem high mass will be conducted Friday morning at 9 in St. Mary's church for Mrs. Maude Kay, 84, who died Tuesday afternoon in her home at 926 North Fifth street. The Rev. Fr. Joseph M. Rochford will conduct the service. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Deutsch, Charles C.

Charles C. Deutsch
Feb. 2, 1866-Feb. 25, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 25, 1941, page 2,  col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

CHARLES DEUTSCH IS TAKEN BY DEATH

 

Charles C. Deutsch, 110 Parkway, a life-long resident of Niles, died this morning at 2:15 in Pawating hospital. In ill health 15 years, his condition became serious four days ago.

His wife, Mrs. Emma Deutsch, died Sept. 15, 1940. His only survivors are four sisters, Miss Adalaide Deutsch and Mrs. David Gitchell, Niles; Mrs. David Reid, Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Mrs. C.C. Paddleford, St. Paul, Minn.

Mr. Deutsch was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Deutsch. He retired from his work with the French Paper company 15 years ago. He was a member of the Maccabee lodge.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where the service will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 27, 1941, page 2,  col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


DEUTSCH PALLBEARERS

 

Serving as pallbearers this afternoon at funeral services for Charles C. Deutsch were Thomas Durm, Walter Janery, Mertis Wiars, Murle Wilson, William Weaver and Claude J. Huff.  The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiated at the service at 2 in the Rutherford funeral home.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Mr. Deutsch died early Tuesday morning in Pawating hospital after a lengthy illness.

 

Hayes, Harley M.

Harley M. Hayes
April 17, 1888-Feb. 23, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 24, 1941, page 2,  col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

Harley Hayes, 52, French Paper Co. Employe, is Dead

 

An Illnesss of several months of heart trouble caused the death Sunday of Harley M. Hayes, 52, who died in his home at 135 Huron street at 7 in the morning.

Mr. Hayes was born in Ossian, Ind., April 17, 1888, and had lived in Niles since he was seven years old.  He had been employed by the French Paper company as an engineer for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife, the former Mollie Swartz, to whom he was married in Niles May 19, 1913, and a sister, Mrs. Fred Scotten, Vandalia. A brother, Frank, died in 1924.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where the Rev. J.Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate at the funeral Tuesday afternoon at 2.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Babcock, Isabelle C. (McDonald)

Isabelle C. Babcock (McDonald)
March 4, 1861-Feb. 24, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 24, 1941, page 2,  col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Babcock, 79, Lifelong Resident of Niles, is Dead

 

Mrs. Isabelle C. Babcock, 79, a lifelong resident of Niles, died this morning at 12:30 in the home of her son, Fred D. Babcock, 114 North Tenth Street.

She was born in Niles March 4, 1861, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William McDonald, who were among the earliest settlers in this vicinity.

Her marriage to Barton B. Babcock, who operated a grocery store on Broadway, was solemnized in 1895 in South Bend.  Mr. Babcock died in 1908.  Mrs. Babcock was a member of Trinity Episcopal church and at one time had been active in church organizations.

Her only survivors are the son in whose home she died and a sister, Mrs. Edward Vinson, South Bend.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 3. The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Cochran, William

William Cochran
April 8, 1863-Feb. 20, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 21, 1941, page 2,  col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

William Cochran, Lifelong Resident, is Taken by Death

 

William Cochran died Thursday night in the family home on Route 4 where he was born 77 years ago. He was widely known in the community where he had lived his entire life.

Death ended five weeks' illness.

He leaves two sons, Charles and Elmer, both of Niles. He was born April 8, 1863 and had been a farmer until advancing age made it impossible for him to continue his work.

Mrs. Cochran preceded him in death. She was the former Miss Mary Vetterle and their marriage took place Feb. 28, 1880.

Services will be in the Price and Kiger chapel Monday afternoon at 2, the Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook.

Friends of the family may call  at the funeral home.

 

Roskay, Charles A.

Charles A. Roskay
Sept. 28, 1878-Feb. 13. 1941


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 13, 1941, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Charles A. Roskay, Native of Niles, Taken by Death

 

Charles A. Roskay, 519 Union street, who was born in Niles in 1878 and had lived here all his life, died in his home at 8:40 this morning.

Mr. Roskay was a charter member of the Moose lodge and had been manager of the St. Joseph Valley Creamery in Buchanan for several years. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church.

Death followed an attack of influenza and ill health, his condition becoming serious Wednesday night.

Mr. Roskay was 63 years old.  He was married July 4, 1901, to Miss Jennie Weiser, Niles, who died in 1937.

Surviving are a son, Leland, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Abbott and Mrs. John Walters, all of Niles.

Friends may call at the family home after 7 o'clock tonight and until 10 Saturday morning.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 1 in the Pifer funeral home, with burial in Silverbrook. The Rev. C.H. Trueschel, Portage Prairie, will officiate.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 14, 1941, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Roskay Services Saturday at 2:30 in Pifer Chapel

 

Services for Charles R. [sic] Roskay, who died in his home at 510 Union street Thursday morning, will be conducted at 2:30 Saturday afternoon in the Pifer funeral chapel.

Friends may call at the family home until 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Roskay, who was a charter member of the Moose lodge and manager of the St. Joseph Valley Creamery company, was a native of Niles and had lived here all his life.

The Rev. C.H. Trueschel, of Portage Prairie, will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 15, 1941, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Roskay Services Conducted Today

 

Services for Charles R. Roskay, who died in his home, 510 Union street, Thursday were conducted in the Pifer funeral chapel at 2:30 this afternoon.

The Rev. C.H. Trueschel, of Portage Prairie, officiated and burial was in Silverbrook.  Pallbearers were Earl Burge, Carl Brunk, George Trowbridge, William Freeland, William DePoy, Niles, and Gerald Mitchell, Buchanan.