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.

Stitt, Cora B.

Cora B. Stitt
Aug. 8, 1871-May 30, 1951


Niles Daily Star, Thurday, May 31, 1951, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Cora B. Stitt, 79, of 1523 Lake street, died at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the home of her niece, Mrs. Raymond Welford. Her husband, Robert E. Stitt, died Feb. 10.

She was born Aug. 8, 1871, in Wayne, Neb., and lived in Niles since 1915.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where the Rev. L. George Beacock, of the First Methodist church, will conduct services at 2 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Griffith, Mildred C.

Mildred C. Griffith
Aug. 7, 1900-May 29, 1951


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 31, 1951, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mildred C. Griffith, of 1403 South State street, St. Joseph, sister of Floyd Higgins of Niles, died at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph hospital, St. Joseph. She had been ill for some time.

She was born Aug. 7, 1900, in Battle Creek and lived in Niles for about 13 years.

Also surviving are her husband, Harry, a daughter, Elaine; and a sister, Mrs. Carl Cameron of Marcellus.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the Pifer funeral home with the Rev. Fred Williams, of the Bridgman Congregational church, officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Burns, Grace S.

Grace S. Burns
April 3, 1881-June 4, 1951


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 5, 1951, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Wilber N. Burns, 70, Dies Here Following Extended Illness

 

Mrs. Grace S. Burns, 70, wife of Wilber N. Burns, prominent Niles attorney, died at 3 p.m. Monday in Pawating hospital after an extended  illness.

A resident here since 1904, Mrs. Burns was widely known for her prominence in women's activities in past years. She was member of the Ladies Reading club since she moved here 47 years ago and was also a member of many years standing in the First Presbyterian church.

Mrs. Burns was born on April 3, 1881, in Wheeler township, Gratiot county, Mich. She married Atty. Burns in St. Louis, Mich., on Sept. 28, 1904, and came to Niles where he had established his law practice two years earlier.

Surviving beside her husband are: a daughter, Mrs. Edwin P. Vary, of Flint; four grandchildren; and three sisters, Mrs. Harry N. Barnes, of South Bend, Mrs. Leon L. Cornell, Falls City, Neb., and Mrs. Roy S. Dean, of El Paso, Tex.

Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian church with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, pastor, officiating.  Burial will be in the mausoleum at Sliverbrook cemetery.

 

Burns, Mary P.

Mary P. Burns
Oct. 1851-March 18, 1934


Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 19, 1934, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Pneumonia Is Fatal to Mrs. Mary Burns

 

With her husband preceding her in death by only a week, Mrs. Mary Burns, mother of Wilber Burns, 1204 Cedar street, died Sunday night in the hospital at Alma, Mich., of pneumonia which was also the cause of her husband's death.

Surviving besides Wilber Burns are two daughters Mrs. E.M. Moore, Alma, and Mrs. Claire Rogers, LaGrange, Ill.

The deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Burns removed from the roll two names of long-time residents of the state. They came to Michigan 60 years ago from New York state.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 (EST) Tuesday morning in St. Louis, Mich., at the Crandall funeral home.  The body will be brought to Niles by a Rutherford hearse where short services will be held at Silverbroook cemetery before interment in the mausoleum.

 

Burns, Newton

Newton Burns
July 1853-March 11, 1934


Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 12, 1934, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Wilber Burns' Father Dies at Alma, Mich.



Newton Burns, father of Attorney Wilber N. Burns, 1204 Cedar street, Niles, died at the home of his daughter , Mrs. E.M. Moore, Sunday morning in Alma, Mich.

Besides his son and daughter, he is also survived by the widow, Mrs. Mary Burns, Alma, and another daughter, Mrs. Claire Rogers, La Grange, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday morning at the Crandall funeral home in St. Louis, Mich. The body will be brought to Niles Tuesday for burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Espey, John

John Espey
Feb. 21, 1863-March 19, 1934


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 20, 1934, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Conduct John Espey Rites on Thursday

 

Funeral services for John Espey, 71, life-long resident of the district, who died at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Early, Seventeenth and Main street, will be held at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Price & Kiger Funeral home.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery. The Rev. G.W.Simon will officiate at the services.

The deceased was born at Galien Feb. 21, 1863. Besides his daughter, Mrs. Early, he is survived by the widow, Mrs. Rose Espey, also at the daughter's home; and a sister, Mrs. Helen Kaley, Wichita, Kan.

Friends may call at the funeral home until time for the services.

 

Aldrich, Susan Adelia (Garwood)

Susan Adelia Aldrich (Garwood)
Sept. 14, 1854-Feb. 12, 1934


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 13, 1934, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Susan Aldrich Dies After Illness

 

Mrs. Susan Adelia Aldrich, 80, died at 5:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at her home, 516 Huron street, after several weeks illness.

She was born Sept. 14, 1854, at Wakelee, Mich. Her husband, James Aldrich, died several years ago.

Surviving are seven children: Adrian Aldrich, Three Oaks; Miss Nusettie[sic] Aldrich, James W. Aldrich, Edward Aldrich and Woodrow Aldrich, all of Niles; Byron Aldrich, Vandalia, and Mrs. Celia Glaska, Grand Rapids; a sister, Mrs. O.A. Roberts, Decatur, Mich.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home. Charles Kitterer will conduct the Christian Science services. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body will remain at home until time for the services.