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.

Smith, Ada E.

Ada E. Smith
Dec. 14, 1862-Jan. 28, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 31, 1941, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

SERVICE SATURDAY FOR MRS. ADA SMITH

 

Mrs. Ada E. Smith, who died Tuesday in St. Louis, will be buried in Silverbrook Saturday afternoon after services in the Price and Kiger chapel at 3:30.  The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate.

Mrs. Smith was a former resident of Niles, having lived here many years prior to the death of her husband, Calvin Smith, in 1937.  She had made her home with two daughters in St. Louis since his death.

She was born in Assyria, Mich., Dec. 14 1862.  Surviving are her daughters, Mrs. Douglas Gunn and Mrs. Robert Peters, and two grandchildren, Jay and Jack Peters, all of St. Louis; also two sisters, Mrs. John Kaltz and Mrs. Peter Hargia, both of Kalamazoo.

She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and the Dowagiac unit of Royal Neighbors of America.

Friends are asked to call tonight at the Price and Kiger funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 1, 1941, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Service Conducted for Mrs. Ada Smith

 

Services were conducted at 3:30 this afternoon in the Price and Kiger chapel for Mrs. Ada Smith, former Niles resident. Mrs. Smith died in St. Louis, Mo., where she had been living with her daughters, since the death of her husband, Calvin Smith, in 1937.

The Rev. G.W. Simon, officiating. Pall bearers were Carl Shouder, Fred Shouder, Henry Passig, Howard Passig, Elmer Weltzien and Robert Schrumpf.

 

 

 

Eyles, William J.

Rev. William J. Eyles
Dec. 1866-Jan. 28, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 30, 1941, page 2, col. 6 microfilm Niles District Library

FORMER BAPTIST PASTOR STRICKEN

 

Services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger chapel for the Rev. William J. Eyles, former pastor of the church.  Mr Eyles, who was 80 yeas old, had twice been pastor of the Niles church.

Mr. Eyles died Tuesday in Washington, D.C.  He will be buried in the family lot in Silverbrook. The Rev. Floyd W. Johnston will officiate.

The body, which will be accompanied to Niles by his sister, Miss Erminie Frances Eyles, will be taken to the Price and Kiger funeral home.  Friends may call at the funeral home until noon Saturday.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 31, 1941, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Rites Saturday for Rev. Eyles, Ex-Niles Pastor

 

Services for the Rev. William J. Eyles, former pastor of the First Baptist church here, will be held Saturday afternoon in the church, with the Rev. Floyd E. Johnston officiating.

Mr. Eyles had twice been pastor of the church in which his funeral will be conducted Saturday.  He died in Washington, D.C.  Tuesday.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Miss Erminie Frances Eyles, his sister, accompanied the body to Niles.  Friends may call at Price and Kiger chapel until noon Saturday.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 1, 1941, page 2, col. 7-8 microfilm Niles District Library

Ex-Niles Minister, Rev. William Eyles, Buried Here Today

 

The Rev. Floyd W. Johnston officiated today at services for the Rev. William J. Eyles, retired Baptist minister and former pastor of the First Baptist church here.  Mr. Eyles died in Washington , D.C. Tuesday.  The service was held in the First Baptist church. Pallbearers were Hugh Willard, Eugene Huntly, George Champton, M.S. Brickle, Charles Gillette and Dr. Clarence Gillette.


Note:  DOB from 1900 Census; William Eyles, age 33, living at 515 Broadway, Niles, with sisters Jennie and Erminie.

Dick, Graty, J.

Graty J. Dick
Jan. 20, 1872-Jan. 13, 1941


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 14, 1941, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. G.J. DICK, 69, POKAGON, IS DEAD

 

Mrs. Graty J. Dick, 69, a resident of Pokagon township for three years, died Monday night at 11:45  in her home after an illness of several years.

She was born in Allen county, Indiana, Jan. 20, 1872, and came to Pokagon from Howard township. She was married Sept. 1, 1888, in Hancock, O., to Charles Edward Dick, who survives.

Other survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Amelia Huss, Cassopolis, Mrs. Oral Herman, Buchanan, and Mrs. Crystal Killenger, Findlay, O.; one son, Earl Dick, Pokagon; 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:30.  The Rev. R.C. Puffer, pastor of the Dowagiac Methodist church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Hoffman, George W.

George W. Hoffman
Oct. 20, 1809-Jan. 6, 1886


Niles Republican, Thursday, January 7, 1886, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Geo. W. Hoffman

 

The many friends in this city and county of Geo W. Hoffman will regret to hear of the death, in Detroit, yesterday morning, of that estimable gentleman.  Mr. Hoffman had been in poor health for a year or more, and his death is no surprise. Mr. Hoffman was one of the earliest residents of Niles, having settled here in 1833, and spent the best part of his life in this city. He was a leading man here in the early days in society, in business, and in the Presbyterian church, of which he was a Ruling Elder for many years. He was a noble, good, pure, true man, in the best sense. We have neither the time nor the facts at hand to give a notice of his life that would do justice to his memory, but hope to have a sketch of his life for next week's paper. His remains will be brought here this evening, and will be deposited in Silver Brook cemetery tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. The funeral will take place from the residence of Mr. W.G. Ferson.


Niles Republican, Thursday, January 14, 1886, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of Geo. W. Hoffman

 

Yesterday morning George W. Hoffman, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Detroit, breathed his last, after a long and exceedingly painful illness, which he bore with incredible fortitude and patience.  Mr. Hoffman, who was one of the Hoffman's whose name is historic, was a son of Lieut. Col. Hoffman, who served with distinction in the war of 1812-1815, and was a brother of Gen Wm. Hoffman who was several time breveted for gallantry during the Mexican war, who was Commissary General of prisoners during the war of the rebellion, and who died about a year ago. Mr. Hoffman was born in New York City, Oct. 20, 1809, but while very young accompanied his father to Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., where the latter was stationed. Col. Hoffman was ordered from Sackett's Harbor to Sault Ste. Marie, with part of the second United States Infantry, and thence in 1822 to Mackinac, and was accompanied by his entire family. In 1824, Mr. Hoffman left Mackinac, and as a civil employe of the government went to Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis, Mo, where he remained until 1826, when he was sent to Fort Leavenworth, at that time 25 miles west of any white man's cabin. he was sent back to Jefferson Barracks in 1827, and then was in 1833 transferred to Fort Winnebago, Minn., where at the  time were stationed Maj. (since then General) Twiggs, Gen. (then Captain) Hardey, and Second Lieut. Jefferson Davis, all of the first United States Infantry.  In 1830, Mr. Hoffman returned to Sackett's Harbor where his father was again stationed, and here terminated his military experience.  In the spring of 1831, Mr. Hoffman went to New York and purchased a stock of goods, which he brought with him to this State, transporting them by water through Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron and Michigan and up the St. Joseph river to Niles, where for many years he was a prominent business man.  In 1857 Mr. Hoffman came to Detroit as Cashier of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway and remained here until 1866 when he went to New York as secretary of the Corn Exchange Insurance Company.  In 1871 he returned to this city as general State agent for the Aetna Fire Insurance Company and representative of several of several other first class companies, retaining these agencies until about three years ago, when he retired from active business.  He was married twice, his second wife, who survives him, having been Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hurd, a cousin of Senator Palmer of this city.  He also leaves four children, George B. of Yankton, Dakota; Charles W. of Bozeman, Montana; Mrs. Wm. P. Northrup of Buffalo, N.Y. and Miss Carrie H., who makes her home with Mrs. Northrup.  He also has two brothers and two sisters who survive him. Mr. Hoffman was long an elder in the Fort Street Presbyterian church and was noted for his kindness of heart, his consistent Christian faith, his charity and uniform consideration for the feelings of others.   In no sense of the word a public man, he was one who was so generally known, loved and respected, that his name will long be respected and cherished. The insurance agents of the city will meet at 119 Griswold street at 9:30 this morning to take action concerning his death, and to make the necessary arrangements for attending his funeral, which will take place at the Fort Street Presbyterian Church at 11 o'clock. The remains will, in the afternoon, be taken to Niles for interment.  Detroit Free Press, Jan. 7, 1886.


Mr. Hoffman, although he had not resided in this city for nearly thirty years, had been so thoroughly identified with its history, and his visits here, have been so frequent that we almost looked upon him as a citizen temporarily absent. He came to Niles almost before a blow had been struck or the ground broken for the planting of a thriving community, and we are told that from the first, he was anxious that the foundation should be laid deep and broad, that it should be known as a centre of Christianity, morality, education and culture, rather than to become notorious as a fast border town.  While he felt a deep interest in all our churches, his chief labors were with the Presbyterians.  He was a member of the building committee of that church and was for many years and up to the time of his removal to Detroit a prominent ruling elder.  He was seldom absent from any of the meetings and he made his voice to be heard in the prayer circle and in the Sunday school where he was an officer and teacher.  His love for the church and for the town never grew cold while life lasted.  His feeling address at the semi-centennial celebration of the church  and the Sabbath school last March will long be remembered by those who heard it. He was active in the erection of the Union school buildings--in fact took a deep interest in everything which tended to advance the best interests of the town, religious, moral, social or practical.  He was Judge of Probate 1840, was clerk of the village 6 terms, Justice of the Peace for many years, and his name will be handed down to posterity associated with our streets, and with several of the additions to our city.  His remains arrived from Detroit last Thursday evening, and were conveyed to the house of Wm. G. Ferson, the funeral taking place at 10 o'clock Friday morning, and although no public notice had been given, the parlors we completely filled by the old friends of the deceased.  His daughter Lottie and her husband, W.P. Northrup of Buffalo, N.Y. and Mrs. Mary Wheeler Buchanan of Chicago, were present.  Mrs. Hoffman was to ill to come.

 

Eden, Dorothy J. (McCormick)

Dorothy Eden, 82
June 21, 1929 — Jan. 3, 2012

Dorothy J. “Dottie” Eden, 82, formerly of Cedar Street, Niles, died at 6:32 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012, at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, following an extended illness.

She was born June 21, 1929, in Niles to Lloyd and Elsie (Gerdes) McCormick, and graduated from Niles High School. She lived in Niles most of her live, moving a few years ago to Granger, Ind., and then to Dujarie House in Notre Dame, Ind.

Mrs. Eden was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, and the Niles Service League. She enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening and decorating her home. She was very social and enjoyed spending time with friends at Bridge Club and Garden Club.

On Dec. 26, 1952, at River Park Church in Mishawaka, Ind., she married Charles Eden, who preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 1996. She was also preceded in death by a son, Bryan Eden, on Sept. 8, 2010, and a brother, Donald McCormick.

Surviving family includes a son, Don Eden, of Niles; grandchildren, Derek Eden, Kady Eden and Brea Eden; the grandchildren’s mother, Barbara Eden-Hammond, of Niles; and Dottie’s sister, Lois Eaton, of Fife Lake, Mich.; sister-in-law, Mary Lou McCormick, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Dorothy Eden will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at First Presbyterian Church in Niles with Elder Ray Fulbright of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Dorothy Eden may be made to the American Cancer Society of the donor’s choice.

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:34pm Thursday, January 5, 2012

Gross, Robert A.

Robert A. Gross
June 17, 1923-May 31, 1992


Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 1, 1992, page 2, col. 5-7, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert A. Gross
1923-1992
Purple Heart recipient

Funeral services for Robert A. Gross, 68, of 1931 River Bluff Road, Niles, are Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home by Pastor Ralph Pletcher of Niles.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Gross died Sunday at 12:38 p.m. at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, following an extended illness.

Born June 17, 1923, in South Bend, Ind., he was a lifetime resident of this area.

On July 12, 1951, in Buchanan, he married the former Dora M. Hart, who survives.

Gross, a general laborer, was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Gross was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Amon Brothers No. 55.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a daughter, Patricia Gross of Niles; a son, Robert J. Gross of Fort Worth, Texas; two grandchildren; three sisters, Dorothy Demos, Betty J. Bolden and Rosemary Coffinger, all of Niles; three brothers, Dale Gross, Donnie Gross and Sylvester Gross, all of Niles.

He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Gross, on May 4, 1981, and three brothers.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.

A flag presentation will follow the funeral. John McLaughlin will officiate.

 

 

 

Ringler, Dorothy (Armstrong)

Dorothy Ringler
Jan. 16, 1922-May 30, 1992


Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 1, 1992, page 2, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Dorothy Ringler
1922-1992
retired from Electro-Voice

Funeral services for Dorothy Ringler, 70, of  2639 S. 13th St., Niles, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Niles Westside Seventh Day Adventist Church, by Pastor Kenneth Schander.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Ringler died at 2 a.m. on Saturday at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Ind., as a result of injuries suffered from a May 16 auto accident on South 13th Street.

She was born Jan. 16, 1922, in Chicago, Ill., and has lived in this area most of her life.

She retired in 1986 after 20 years at Electro-Voice, Buchanan.

Mrs. Ringler was a member of the Champion 4-H Club, Niles; Westerners Club, Buchanan, since 1948; and the Head Deaconess of Niles Westside Seventh Day Adventist Church.

On Sept. 17, 1942, in Niles, she married Ernest W. Ringler, who preceded her in death in 1968.

She is survived by three sons, James H., Michael W. and Ernest R. Ringler, all of Niles; four sisters, Verna Brill of Lawton, Okla., Pauline Garrett of Broken Arrow, Okla., Cecelia Diederich of Fallbrook, Calif., and Ellen Kubiak of Niles; three brothers, Warren Armstrong of Albuquerque, N.M., John Armstrong of San Diego, Calif., and Richard Armstrong of Niles; and seven grandchildren.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Niles Westside Seventh Day Adventist Church.