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.

Richardson, Frances Julia

Frances Julia Richardson
1804-April 20, 1869


Niles Republican, Thursday, April 22, 1869, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED

 

In this City on the 20th inst. of congestion of the lungs, MRS. FRANCES JULIA RICHARDSON, wife of DR. S. RICHARDSON, aged 64 years.

The funeral will take place from the residence of DR. RICHARDSON to-morrow, Friday afternoon, at 2 o'clock.


Niles Democrat, Saturday, May 2, 1879, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED


In this city on the 20th inst., of Congestion of the Lungs, Mrs. FRANCES JULIA RICHARDSON, wife of DR. S. RICHARDSON, aged 64 years.

Jerome, Charlotte D.

Charlotte (Dana) Jerome
March 19, 1816-Aug. 25, 1893

Niles Daily Star, Friday, Aug. 25, 1893, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library; reprinted Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 30, 1885, page 5, col. 2.

Mrs. Charlotte D. Jerome, died at her residence on St. Joseph avenue, this morning, of old age. The funeral will occur from the  house on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Rev. J.G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, will conduct the services.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 1893, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral of Mrs. Chalotte[sic] Jerome was very largely attended from the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon and the services, as preached by the pastor, Rev.J.G. Lowrie, were very impressive. The pall bearers were Col. E. Bacon, Wm. Wares, Judge B.F. Fish, F.M. Gray, T.W. Haynes and Wm. K. Lacey. Interment took place in Silver Brook cemetery.


Jerome, George H.

George H. Jerome
Oct. 23, 1819-Aug. 15, 1885


Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 19, 1885, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


Death of Hon. Geo. H. Jerome

 

During the hurry and whirl of the last busy Saturday afternoon, the sad message was passed along our thronged streets, from house to house, that Mr. Jerome had just been stricken with death at his home in this city. The shock was so sudden and unexpected that for a time business was well nigh forgotten. But a few hours before he had moved with joyous step along that same thoroughfare. Reaching home he went out to superintend the removal of a building, occasionally lending a hand to encourage the workmen, when, as is supposed, he ruptured a blood vessel, retiring to the house he complained of faintness and dimenity of breathing. The family gave him all assistance in their power and telephoned at once for a physician. Dr. Belknap hastened to the stricken man but death had ensued before he arrived.  Those of us who saw him daily and had noticed his robust physique, his active movements, and his apparent vitality, can hardly think of him as dead, that we shall no more hear his cordial salutations or behold his breezy presence. Although engaged in no business transactions of a public, he was a conspicuous man in the community and wielded a wide influence.

George H. Jerome was born at Pompey, N.Y., Oct. 23, 1819. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1842 and entered at once upon the study of law.  July 9, 1846, he married Miss Charlotte L. Dana and soon after removed to his place and in connection with his brother, I. Newton Jerome, entered upon the practice of his profession.

In 1851 he removed to Chicago where he remained until 1856, when he removed to the Capitol of Iowa and became editor of the Iowa City Republican, which, under his management, became the leading paper of that State. He was Chairman of the Iowa State Republican Committee for several years, and was appointed by President Lincoln Assessor of Internal Revenue, resigning after four years of efficient service and returned to Niles. He purchased the house and grounds where he has since lived, and began at once to beautify and adorn them. Nothing was left undone that time or energy could effect, to make his chosen home attractive to his family and friends, and here, surrounded by the gems of nature and art, his library filled with choice works, he welcomed his friends, entertaining with a lavish hand all who sought the shelter of his friendly roof.  While he was a strong republican he was tolerant of other opinions, and in his friendships he knew no politics or creeds. In 1873, at the earnest solicitation of Gov. Bagley, he accepted the position of superintendent of State Fisheries, retaining the situation for many years, until having made the department a success, he resigned, that he might have more time to spend with his friends.

He did nothing by halves, but entered upon any project that he considered worthy of his attention, with a zeal and energy which surmounted all obstacles. As a public speaker he had few superiors in this section, and his trained intellect qualified him to speak authoritively[sic] upon all the great subjects of the day.  We know of no man in this vicinity, outside of active business or public life, whose death will be so widely mourned or whose place it will be so difficult to fill.  Mrs. Jerome and the many who have been accustomed to lean on his strong arm will receive the sincere condolence of all our citizens. The funeral will take place on Wednesday at three o'clock, from his late residence.


Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 22, 1885, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Geo. Jerome, of York, Nebraska, was in the city this week, called here by the death of his uncle, Hon. Geo.H. Jerome.

Cox, Dawn Alexandrea

Dawn Alexandrea Cox
Oct. 19, 1994-Oct. 29, 1994


Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 31, 1994, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral arrangements are pending for Dawn Alexandrea Cox, 19 days old, of NIles who died unexpectedly Saturday morning.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

She is the daughter of Michael A. and Rhinelda E. Tillman Cox of Niles.

Dawn Alexandrea was born Oct. 19, 1994.

Survivors, in addition to her parents, include three brothers, Christopher S. Cox of Gulfport, Miss., Karl E. Tillman and Michael A. Cox II, of the home; four sisters, Micheaele A. Cox, Therasa M. Cox II, Candita E. Cox and Nikita S. Cox, all of the home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

 

 

 

Suabedissen, Stella D.

Stella D. Suabedissen
Nov. 30, 1914-May 30, 1993


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 1, 1993, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Stella D. Suabedissen
1914-1993
Active in Meals on Wheels

Funeral services for Stella D. Suabedissen, 78, of 1905 Champlain Drive, Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Martha Hartman, of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Suabedissen died at 3:05 a.m. Sunday at Memorial Hospital in South Bend following a brief illness.

Born Nov. 30, 1914, in Chicago, she moved to Niles in 1956, coming from Saginaw.

On June 3, 1939, in Chicago, she married Raymond T. Suabedissen, who survives.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, the Four Flags Garden Club, Pawating Hospital Auxiliary and was active with Meals on Wheels.

Survivors include three daughters, Carole Capella of Chicago, Kathleen Hirst of Aurora, Colo., and Joan Frisk of South Bend and six grandchildren.

Friends may call from 2 pm. to 4 pm.. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

Harpole, Gary R.

Gary R. Harpole
June 22, 1949-May 28, 1993


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 1, 1993, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Gary R. Harpole
1949-1993
Former French Paper Co. employee

Funeral services for Gary R. Harpole, 43, of 1221 S. 14th St., Niles, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul A. Fisher, of Michiana First Assemble of God, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Harpole died at 2:39 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hosptial following an extended illness.

Born June 22, 1949, in Niles, he was a life-time area resident.

He was a former employee of the French Paper Co.  He also worked for the former Gayhose Co.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Survivors include his mother, Myrtle M. Harpole of Niles; a sister, Teresa Earl of Dowagiac; five brothers, Oliver W. Harpole of Dowagiac, Doyle L. Harpole of Niles, James W. Harpole of Niles, Ralph E. Harpole of Niles, Ronnie G. Harpole of Niles; four nieces and three nephews.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

 

 

Harpole, Myrtle M.

Myrtle M. Harpole
Dec. 26, 1924-June 16, 1993

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 17, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Myrtle M. Harpole
1924-1993
Long-time Niles resident

Funeral services for Myrtle M. Harpole, 68, of 1221 S. 14th St., Niles, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul A. Fisher, of Michiana First Assembly of God, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Harpole died at 9:58 a.m. Wednesday at Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.

Born Dec. 26, 1924, in Manchester, Tenn., she had lived in Niles since 1946, coming from Manchester.

On June 26, 1941, in Trenton, Ga., she married the late John D. Harpole, who preceded her in death on Oct. 24, 1978.

Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Earl of Dowagiac; Oliver W. Harpole of Niles, Doyle L. Harpole of Niles, James W. Harpole of Niles, Ralph E. Harpole of Niles, and Ronnie G. Harpole of Niles; seven grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; four sisters, Colleen Stone of Searcy, Ark., Jane White of Niles, Alma Ledbetter of Niles, Fay Eytcheson of Hudson, Fla., Kenneth Elrod of Niles, Paul Elrod of Niles and George Elrod of Niles. A son, Gary R. Harpole, preceded her in death on May 28.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home.