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.
Erasmus Winslow Clark
Oct. 28, 1831-Aug. 28, 1857
Niles Republican, Saturday, August 29, 1857, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library
August 28th, in Niles of Consumption, Erasmus Winslow, son of Rowland and Cyndia Ann Clark, aged 25 years and 10 months.
Winslow was one of the first male children born in the Village of Niles. The funeral sermon will be preached at the Methodist Church, on Saturday at 2 o'clock, P.M.
Grace Davis
1873-July 26, 1892
Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, July 27, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Miss Grace Davis, formerly of this city, died yesterday at her home in Marion, Ind. Miss Davis was a sister of Mrs. Lewis Newman, of this city, and her remains will arrive here Friday morning for interment.
Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, July 28, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
The funeral of Miss Grace Davis, whose death at Marion, Ind. was noticed yesterday, will take place tomorrow afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from the Presbyterian church. The interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.
Niles Daily Sun, Friday, July 29, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
The funeral of Miss Grace Davis was held this afternoon at the Presbyterian church, the remains arriving on the Big 4 train at 1:07 from Marion, Ind.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 3, 1892, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The remains of Miss Gracie Davis arrived in the city this afternoon from Marion, Ind., accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Hoyt, Mrs. A W. Coffinger and son, John Davis and Mr. and Mrs. L. Newman, and were taken to the Presbyterian church where the funeral services were held at 2 o'clock, Rev. Chas. Ager officiating. The cause of her death was pleurisy, which terminated with heart trouble. It is sad for the schoolmates and friends to see one so young taken from life and the relatives have their most heartfelt sympathies. The burial took place at Silver Brook cemetery.
Also page 5, col. 2,
Mr. and Mrs. L. Newman, who accompanied the remains of Mrs. Newman's sister to Niles for interment, left this morning for their home at Marion.
Paul Trautvetter
1857-July 26, 1892
Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, July 27, 1892, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The funeral of the late Paul Trautvetter occurred today from the German Evangelical church, Rev. F. Rahn conducting the ceremonies. The remains were accompanied to their last resting place at Silver Brook cemetery by a large number of friends and members of the German Workingmen's Society, of which Mr. Trautvetter was an honored member.
The deceased gentleman was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1857 and was at the time of his death 34 years, four months and 3 days old. He came from the Fatherland to Niles in 1880 and has since that time lived here. To mourn his death are left a widow and one child, who have the sympathy of all in this hour of bereavement. Mr. Trautvetter was shot July 12, accidentally, at Air Line Junction, Ohio, and since that time until his death has been in great agony. It is understood that proceedings will be instituted against the man from whose hands the fatal bullet was shot.
Niles Mirror, Wednesday, July 27, 1892, page 5, col. 3, same in Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 26, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
A telegram received here last night from Julius Shultz, states that Paul Trautvetter died last evening at St. Vincent's hospital, Toledo. The remains will arrive here this evening on fast train No. 5 of the Michigan Central.
It will be remembered that Mr. Trautvetter was accidently shot several weeks ago by a man shooting at a target, and since then he has lingered between life and death. The doctors gave up all hopes from the start. The man who did the shooting has never went to see him or expressed any regret. We understand the German Workingmen's Benevolent Association will bring suit against the fellow who fired the shot.
Mr. Trautvetter was about 30 years old and leaves a wife and one child. The wife has been constantly by his side. He was considered a respected citizens and his friends were many. Last winter he built a comfortable residence for himself and family on the corner of 6th and Ferry streets, doing most of the work himself, he being a mason by trade and it is sad to think that has been taken away from this pleasant surroundings in the prime of life.
Mr. Trautvetter was a member of the German Workingmen's Benevolent Association of this city, and will be buried under their auspices. He was insured in this order for $550.
Oliver Kelly
March 13, 1865-Jan. 6, 1942
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 6, 1942, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Oliver H. Kelly, 76, a Niles resident the last 37 years, died in his home at 23 Parkway this morning at 8:40. He had been ill more than a year. He was a retired millwright.
His wife, the former Mae Lavanwey, preceded him in death less than two months ago--Nov. 10, 1941.
He is survived by five sons, Clyde, Wilbur, and Arthur, of Detroit, Oliver and Walter, Niles; and two daughters, Mrs. Julia Strong and Mrs. Irene Tonkin, of Niles; 13 grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Rosa Coon, and a brother, Elwood Kelly, both of Watervliet.
He was born in Covert township, Van Buren county, March 13, 1865, and came to Niles from Three Rivers.
Services will be in the Price and Kiger funeral home Thursday afternoon at 2. The Rev. A.C. DeVries will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until the funeral.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 8, 1942, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Services were held at 2 this afternoon for Oliver Kelly, 76, who died Tuesday morning in his home at 23 Parkway. The Rev. A.C. DeVries officiated and burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Clyde W. Kelly, Wilbur Kelly, Arthur C. Kelly, Oliver L. Kelly, Jr., Walter Kelly and Clifford Strong served as pallbearers.
Florence J. Doubt
June 21, 1912-Jan. 9, 1942
Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 9, 1942, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
Ill two months of pulmonary tuberculosis, Mrs. Florence J. Doudt, 29, of Route 1, died this morning at 1:10 in Pinecrest sanitarium at Oshtemo.
She was born June 21, 1912, in South Bend and moved here from that city in June, 1939. She was married Dec. 20, 1930 in South Bend to Max L. Doudt, who survives with a daughter, Shirley Jean, at home.
She also leaves her father, Joseph Lakowski, and a brother, Harry M. Lakowski, both of South Bend. She was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, South Bend.
Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home. Services will be conducted in the funeral home Monday afternoon at 2 by Elmer A. Higgins, reader. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 10, 1942, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Elmer A. Higgins, South Bend, will serve as reader Monday afternoon at funeral services set for 2 in the Rutherford funeral home for Mrs. Max L. Doudt. Mrs. Doudt, of Route 1, died Thursday morning in Pinecrest sanitarium. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.
Rose Hayes Scotten
Nov. 22, 1876-Jan. 12, 1942
Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 12, 1942, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Rose Hayes Scotten, 65, formerly of Niles, died this morning at 6:10 in her home in Vandalia after an illness of several months of heart trouble. She was the sister of the late Frank and Harley Hayes, Niles.
Mrs. Scotten was born Nov. 22, 1876, in Bluffton, Ind., daughter of the late Mr.and Mrs. Milo Hayes. She is survived by her husband, Fred Scotten, to whom she was married Nov. 22, 1921, in South Bend, and a daughter, Miss Dona Mae Meredith, Cassopolis. Her first husband, Charles Meredith, preceded her in death. She moved to Vandalia two years ago from Niles.
Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Scotten was a member of the Birch Lake Embroidery club.
Cora Sears
1878--Jan. 14, 1942
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, January 14, 1942, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Funeral for Mrs. Cora Sears, former Niles resident, who died in Mishawaka, will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:30 (CST) in the Midway Gospel Tabernacle near Mishawaka, by the Rev. G.B. Rowe. Friends may call before noon at the Holas funeral home, South Bend. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, Niles.
