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.

Hurd, Clara Valina

Clara Valina Hurd
1840-Jan. 20, 1915

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, January 21, 1915, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH AT LURAY, VA. OF MISS CLARA HURD

The Body Will Be Brought Here Tomorrow For Burial

 

Miss Clara Valina Hurd, a former resident of this city and vicinity, died at Luray, Va., on the 20th inst., in the seventy-fourth year of her age.

She was the daughter of William Hurd and Cynthia Hurd, who were among the early pioneer settlers of this region.  Miss Hurd was born in this city.

Many years since she removed to Luray, Va., where she made her home with her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Northcott.

She united with the Episcopal church early in life and always remained an exemplary member of the denomination.  She was a lady of more the ordinary intelligence, possessed of an amiable disposition and had many friends and intimate acquantances [sic] while residing here.

Mrs. Edwin C. Griffin of this city was a cousin with whom she was in the habit of visiting almost annually till the last two years of her life. She had been a sufferer for some years from illness, but had borne her suffering with remarkable fortitude and cheerfulness.

The remains will be brought to Niles tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock and will be taken directly to Silver Brook cemetery for interment.

 

Hurd, Cynthia B.

Cynthia B. Hurd
Sept. 9, 1811-Nov. 5, 1881


Niles Democrat, Saturday, November 12, 1881, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Cynthia B. Hurd, late of this city, died on Saturday, the 6th of this month, at Movaria, N.Y,. where she had been visiting. Her remains were brought to this city for interment.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, November 16, 1881, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Cynthia Hurd, widow of Wm. Hurd, formerly of this city, died at Moravia, N.Y, on the 5th inst. Her remains were brought to this city on Thursday last and deposited in Silver Brook cemetery.

Hurd, Altamarie (Dittmar)

Altamarie Hurd
Sept. 12, 1924-Dec. 28, 1975


Niles Daily Star, Monday, December 29, 1975, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Altamarie "Pat" Dittmar Hurd, 51, of 1950 S. 13th St., died at 11:10 a.m. Sunday at Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor. She had been ill for five years. Mrs. Hurd was born Sept. 12, 1924, at Niles.

Surviving are her mother, Mrs. Gertrude Dittmar of Niles; two sons, Jonathan Marriott of Niles and Ronald Marriott of Chicago; two daughters, Mrs. Larry (Sharon) Williams of South Bend and Mrs. Michael (Sandra) Fletcher of Niles, a brother, Carl Dittmar, and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home. The Rev. Harold Boland of the Assembly of God Church will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel after 7 p.m. today.

 

Schock, Joyce Marie

Joyce Marie Schock
March 9, 1936-April 16, 1957


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 17, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Joyce Marie Schock, 21, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Berle E. Schock of 1916 South 15th Street, died at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at a hospital in Coldwater after a long illness.

She was born March 9, 1936, in Niles. Survivors, besides her parents are three brothers, Harvey, Howard and William, all at home.

Friends may call at the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday by the Rev. John MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Cann, Florence

Florence Cann
July 2, 1869-Oct. 19, 1881


Niles Mirror, Wednesday, November 2, 1881, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Florence Cann, a daughter of John and Alice Cann, died, of diptheria, in Chicago, on the 19th October, aged 12 years, three months and 17 days. Her remains were brought to the home of John Forney, her grandfather, in this city, and buried in Silver Brook cemetery on the 21st. The following

IN MEMORIAM

Let the full grief tide flow
In one unbroken strain,
We've covered up the snow white brow
We hope to meet again,
The last fare-wells are given,
Death broke the golden chain,
But in yonder starry heaven
We hope to meet again.
The little mound is made
Which holds our sacred claim
And there our little Florence laid
We hope to meet again.
Oh, will it not be sweet
On yonder shining plain
With all the happy host to meet
Our loved one Once again.

Niles Democrat, Saturday, November 6, 1881, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Florence Cann, grandaughter of Mr. John Forney, of his city, died at the residence of her parents in Chicago, on the 19th of last month and her remains were brought to this city and enterred[sic] in Silver Brook cemetery, age 12 years, three months, and 17 days.  The following neat little verses are very touching, especially to those who have had their dear ones pass from their sight in the brightest of youth:


IN MEMORIAM

Let the full grief tide flow
In one unbroken strain,
We've covered up the snow white brow
We hope to meet again,
The last fare-wells are given,
Death broke the golden chain,
But in yonder starry heaven
We hope to meet again.
The little mound is made
Which holds our sacred claim
And there our little Florence laid
We hope to meet again.
Oh, will it not be sweet
On yonder shining plain
With All the happy host to meet
Our loved one there again.

Lauterbach, George

George Lauterbach
Nov. 14, 1846-July 13, 1911


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 13, 1911, page 1,  col. 3. microfilm Niles District Library


GEORGE LAUTERBACH

A Well Known Citizen Passed Away Today

 

George Lauterbach, a highly respected resident of Niles, passed away this morning at 7:101 o'clock at his home 610 north Fourth street.

While Mr. Lauterbach has been a sufferer since last December from a tumor of the stomach and his case was considered hopeless his death was sudden in a sense as he had been up and about until last Tuesday when he became unconscious and did not rally again.

Mr. Lauterbach's illness baffled the skill of physicians from the first and although he consulted specialists both in Ann Arbor and in Chicago they were unable to help him.

Mr. Lauterbach was 65 years of age having been born in Germany, Nov. 14, 1846. When he was six months old he left Germany with his parents for America, his father who was an eminent musician having secured an engagement in New York City. While enroute, however, the father became sick and died and was buried at sea.

Mr. Lauterbach's mother remarried but died when the subject of this sketch was eight years old. After living with his grandfather in Canada until he was nineteen he came to Niles and had since resided here.

Thirty-eight years ago he was married here to Miss Mary Krantz, who survives him. Four children were born to them, one of whom, Artie, died a number of years ago.

The surviving children are William Lauterbach of Rankin, Ill.; Mrs. Burton Berry, Chicago ane Mrs. Frank Hamilton of Highland Park, Ill.

Mesdames Berry and Hamilton were here when their father passed away and their brother will arrive this evening.

Mr. Lauterbach has held a position with the Michigan Central railroad company as railroad carpenter for the past 20 years.  He was a valued employe and was highly esteemed in railroad circles as well as in the community in general

Local Michigan Central officials will act as pallbearers at the funeral which will occur Saturday afternoon from the late residence at 3:30 o'clock.

Rev. W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Lauterbach has been a faithful member for a number of years, will officiate.

Mr. Lauterbach was a member of the New Era Lodge and was formerly a member of the A.O.U.W. here.

 

 

 

Steinbauer, Minnie

Minnie Steinbauer
Sept. 15, 1845-April 1, 1938


Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 1, 1938, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

PIONEER RESIDENT OF BERRIEN CO. DIES

Mrs. John C. Steinbauer, 92, Stricken at Rural Home Early Today

 

Mrs. John C. Steinbauer, one of Berrien county's oldest residents, died at 2 o'clcok this morning at her farm home five miles north of Niles. She was 92 years old.

Born in Germany, Mrs. Steinbauer was twice married. She came to the United States about 66 years ago following her marriage to Ernest Dubert in Germany. After Mr. Dubert's death she was married to John C. Steinbauer in 1883. Mr. Steinbauer died about 30 years ago.

She leaves three daughters, Miss Betty Dubert, Mrs. Charles Umholtz, and Miss Freda Dubert, Niles; three sons, Carl Dubert and Fred Steinbauer, Niles, and William Steinbauer, Berrien Springs.

Five step-children, George, Edwin, and Christ Steinbauer, Niles, Lewis Steinbauer, Dowagiac, and Mrs. Hanna Singreen, Pokagon; also four grandchildren, Mrs. Fred Solloway, Niles, Mrs. Orville Gaul, Mrs. Robert Schinske, Berrien Springs, and Mrs. Charles Rutsalz, Benton Harbor.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.  Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 2, 1938, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Steinbauer Rites

 

Funeral services for Mrs. John C. Steinbauer, 92, will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Steinbauer died early Friday morning at her home.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 4, 1938, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Steinbauer Rites

 

Carl Krause, Emil Villwock, August Villwock, Peter Miller, Edward Hanslen, and Edwin Radewald served as pallbearers at 2 o'clock this afternoon for the funeral services of Mrs. John C. Steinbauer, 92. Rites were conducted in the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Steinbauer died early Friday morning at her farm home north of Niles.