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.

Moore, John 1946-2021

editor Obituaries

John Moore, of Niles
February 28, 1946-April 24, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:22 pm Tuesday, April 27, 2021

John Moore, 75, of Niles, died Saturday, April 24, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, of Niles.

Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home https://www.halbritterwickens.com/obituary/John-Moore

Obituary 

John Moore 75 of Niles, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 24, 2021 where he was greeted with the loving embrace of his wife Rosie who has been waiting for him since May 18, 2015.

John was born on February 28, 1946 to Alonzo Lee and Olivia (Ward) Moore in Berrien Center, MI.

On July 5, 1986 in Niles, he and Rosie were united in marriage. John was a man who loved the simple things in life. He loved the surroundings of country life. John and Rosie kept a vegetable garden where they shared the fruits of their labor. He enjoyed eating wild games such as deer and rabbit. He also loved fishing.  John was also a fan of Western Movies.

In his youth, John enjoyed muscles cars and driving fast.  He had a deep appreciation for Boxing and would follow the careers of Muhamad Ali and Michael Spinks. Most important to John was his family and their time together. John was a faithful member of God’s Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church.

John had worked at Michiana Recycling and Disposal Services on Reum Road in Niles for many years. He also was employed at Clark Manufacturing in Buchanan for several years.

Surviving family members include his daughters, Tinita Moore, Debbie Moore, Sandy Moore and Debbie Smith. Other surviving children are Regina West-Lucas (Carl), Carla Hill (Marvin), Dwane West, Debra Pigee (Issac), Felicia Anderson (Robert), Estelle Moss, Melissa Lipscomb, David Moss, Yolanda Moss; surviving siblings; Alonzo Moore, Jr., James Moore, John Moore, Samuel Moore, Rosie-Lee Moore and Dorothy Moore as well as 31 grandchildren.

Visitation for John will be on Monday, May 3, 2021 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services 615 E. Main St. Niles, MI.  A Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 noon on Monday with Pastor Dwane West officiating. Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Online condolences, messages and sympathy may be made to the family at www.halbritterwickens.com

When God calls the heart to heal, painful memories of any circumstance has to flee.

Zieder, Jackie C. 1923-2020

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Jackie C. ‘Jack’ Zeider, of Columbus, Nebraska
March 27, 1923-May 4, 2020

Niles Daily Star, Published 8:47 am Saturday, May 9, 2020

March 27, 1923 — May 4, 2020

Private family service for Jackie C. “Jack” Zeider, 97, of Columbus, Nebraska, will be at a later date.

Jack passed away on Monday, May 4, 2020, at the Norfolk Veterans Home in Norfolk, Nebraska. Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Jack was born on March 27, 1923, in Niles, to Cecil and Bertha (Fansler) Zeider.

He attended grade school in Niles and graduated from Niles High School.

Jack served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from Oct. 13, 1942, to Sept. 22, 1945. He later married Carol Beneke, and they lived in Columbus, Nebraska.

Jack worked as manager for the American Legion Hartman Post 84 of Columbus and was a member of the Hartman Post 84.

Jack enjoyed morel mushroom hunting and being at the Legion in Columbus.

Survivors include daughter, Kathy (Mike) McMillan, of St. Peters, Missouri; sons, Dale Mitchell, of Colorado, and son, Ken (Kate) Mitchell, of Columbus, from a previous marriage children, Scott (Kathy) Zeider, of Niles, Kristine (David) Zeider Drosdick, of Birmingham, Alabama, Karol (Kevin) Zeider Custard, of Niles, Kellie Zeider McCombs, of Niles; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his spouse, Carol, and sister, Betty Nason.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

Schrumpf, Emma (Schrader) 1923-2021

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Emma Schrumpf, of Niles
Oct. 26, 1923-May 12, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:32 pm Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Emma Schrumpf, 97, of Niles, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at Brentwood Assisted Living, Niles. Arrangements are pending and entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Brown Funeral Home https://brownfuneralhomeniles.com/tribute/details/3190/Emma-Schrumpf/obituary.html

Obituary of Emma Jean Schrumpf  

Emma J. Schrumpf, 97, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at Brentwood of Niles. Emma, one of eight children born to Albert and Grace (Brubaker) Schrader arrived in Toledo, Ohio on a beautiful fall day, October 6, 1923. She graduated from high school and shortly after married George Schrumpf at a ceremony in Bryan, Ohio on January 31, 1942. Emma and George enjoyed many years of marriage, and together they raised their three children. Emma was an extremely dedicated wife, proud mother and doting grandmother. She took great pride in caring for her family. However, Emma also planted and nurtured much more than just her family. She had an exceptional skill for cultivating her many varieties of roses. While the beauty outdoors brought much joy to Emma, she was also a talented artist, many times able to capture those same scenes on canvas. She was a faithful member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, serving in various capacities. Her husband George preceded her in passing as well as her siblings; Lawrence Schrader, Pete Schrader, Richard Schrader, Edith Snyder, Virginia Stover, and Waunita Phillips. Emma is survived by her three children, Terry (George) Paquette of Niles, Betty (Don) Kirkendall of Niles, George A. (Lola) Schrumpf of Columbia City, Indiana, her five grandchildren, her seven great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and her brother Robert (Dixie) Schrader of South Bend. Funeral services to honor Emma will take place Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Brown Funeral Home at noon with a time of visitation beginning an hour prior. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Silverbrook Cemetery at a private ceremony. Her kind words, gentle spirit, and sweet smile will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Those wishing to honor Emma’s memory by donation have been asked to consider St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St, Niles, Michigan 49120. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

 

Villwock, Betty Marie (Kiger) 1929-2021

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Betty Marie Villwock, of Niles
Feb. 8, 1929 — May 14, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published online 4:30 pm Monday, May 17, 2021

Betty Marie Villwock, 92, of Niles, passed away after a brief illness.

Betty was born on Feb. 8, 1929, in Benton Harbor to the late Arthur and Leeta (Wolcott) Kiger.

On Nov. 12, 1949, in Berrien Springs, she married Lester Villwock.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester, and grandson, Joey, and great-granddaughter, Colleen.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Dale (Marlene) Villwock, of Buchanan, Dennis Villwock, of Niles, and Patricia Villwock, of Niles; grandchildren, Adam (Brandy) Villwock and Brian (Jennifer) Villwock; great-grandchildren; Theo and Bryce; and her sister-in-law, Virginia Kiger.

Betty dedicated her life to her family and helped operate the family farm. She was a long-time member of Fairland Christian Church. Betty enjoyed mowing lawn, gardening, cross stitch, knitting and sewing. She also would use gel pens to color pages of patterns. All who knew Betty knew of her dedication to Notre Dame Football and attending their games. Above all, Betty loved being with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation for Betty will be on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St., Niles. A private family service will be held on Wednesday.

Memorials in Betty’s name may be made to the Fairland Christian Church 1811 River Bluff Road Niles, MI 49120.

Online condolences and messages may be sent to the family at halbritterwickens.com.

Bell, Earl R. 1932-2021

editor Obituaries

Earl Bell
December 13, 1932 - December 10, 2020

Obituary from Hoven Funeral Home

Earl R. Bell, 87, of Niles, MI, passed away on December 10, 2020.

He was born to the late Earl Bell Sr. and Renner Kelly on December 13, 1932. After graduating high school, he became a truck driver and truck salesman. On November 8, 1953, Earl married Letha Meek.

He is survived by son, Robert (Carolyn) Darnell; daughter, Charlene (Jess) Kelems.

He is preceded in death by wife, Letha Bell; stepdaughter, Linda Darnell; stepson, Charles Darnell; grandson, Jesse Kelems IV;  12 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 26  great-great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial service will be at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Online Condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Wittmack, George L. 1896-1971

editor Obituaries

George L. Wittmack
Sept. 18, 1896-Jan. 18, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 19, 1971, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-- George L. Wittmack, 74, of 1327 Oak St., died at 9:15 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, where he was admitted on Jan. 1.

A retired engineer with the Penn-Central Railroad, Mr. Witmack was born Sept. 18, 1896, in Wanatah, Ind., and had lived here since 1919, coming from Michigan City. On March 8, 1923, in Niles, he married Ruth Moyer, who survives. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Janet Forte of Lexington, Mass.; Lewis and Harvey, both of Wanatah, Ind.; two sisters, Mrs. Clara McAlister of Hinckley, Ill., and Mrs. Dorothy Garrigan of Salt Lake City, Utah, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Arlan Schlundt of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the Heart Fund.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 20, 1971, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—In addition to survivors listed in Tuesday's obituary, George Wittmack, 74, of 1327 Oak St., is survived by three brothers, Henry of South Bend, and Lewis and Harvey, both of Wanatah, Ind.

Pops, Ocie 1923-1971

editor Obituaries

Ocie Pops
Aug. 10, 1923-Jan. 18, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 20, 1971, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES-- Mrs. Ocie Pops, 47, of 2480 Detroit Rd., died at 11:05 p.m. Monday in Pawating Hospital, after an illness of four days.

An employe of Pawating Hospital, Mrs. Pops was born Aug. 19, 1923, in Dallas, Tex., and had lived here since 1953, coming from Chicago. Her husband, Nathaniel, survives.

Additional survivors include a stepson, Nathaniel Jr. of Niles; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Evelyn Vaughan and Mrs. Sandra McCoy, both of Chicago and a sister, Mrs. Jessie May Camel of Dallas, Tex.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Eugene Jones of the Mt. Galilee Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

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