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.

Coffinger, Arthur W.

Arthur W. Coffinger

July 1, 1853-Oct. 18, 1913

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 20, 1913, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

 

A.W. COFFINGER DIED AT GRAND RAPIDS SUNDAY

 

Arthur W. Coffinger died at Grand Rapids yesterday, aged about 64 years. He was born in Niles and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Erastus Coffinger, a stage coach driver. Mr. Coffinger was former American Express agent and chief of the volunteer fire department, this city.  He leaves a wife and one daughter and one son.  Mrs. Thos Hawkins of this city is a sister; also Mrs. Belle Bailey. The body will be brought to Niles for burial, arriving here on the Wolverine at 10:43 o'clock Wednesday morning and will be taken direct to Silver Brook cemetery, where Rev. Yonker will conduct committal services.

 

Krell, Sophia

Sophia Krell

abt.1819-April 2, 1892

 

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 4, 1892, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Mrs. Sophia Krell, mother of the late Wm. Krell, formerly of resident of this city, died Saturday afternoon at her home, three miles east of Dowagiac. The remains will be brought to this city and the funeral will occur from the German church at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

 

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 4, 1892, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Mrs. Sophia Krell, a resident of this city, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Herman Andrews, near Dowagiac, Saturday, aged 73 years. Mrs. Krell was taken ill about for[sic] weeks ago with the grip.  She was the mother of four children, two of whom are dead. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the German church.

Loane, Emma

 

Emma Loane

July 28, 1828-Oct. 15, 1913

 

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, October 15, 1913, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

MRS. EMMA LOANE A PIONEER OF NILES
Highly respected lady is dead at the age of 85 years

 

Mrs. Emma Loane, widow of Andrew Loane, passed away at 6 o'clock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. H. Lamberton, 1299 Regent street.  A week ago today Mrs. Loane suffered a stroke of paralysis and had since been stricken twice.

Mrs. Loane was 85 years of age and was a pioneer and highly esteemed resident of Niles.  She was the mother of ten children and while they were still very young, the family was bereaved by the death of the husband and father.

Of the ten children, four survive their mother as follows: Mrs. William Lamberton, Mrs. Eli Young, Byron Loane of Niles and Westley Loane residing near South Bend. Three of the children died in as many days from diphtheria.

Mrs. Loane was born in Delawre, July 28, 1828.

The funeral will be held from Mrs. Lamberton's home on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Wright of the methodist church of which Mrs. Loane for many years was a member, will officiate. Interment will occur at Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 15, 1913, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

 

GRAND OLD LADY BIDS FAREWELL TO EARTH

 

Mrs. Emma Loane, widow of Andrew Loane, residing at 12 00 Regent street, died at 6 o'clock this morning of paralysis, age 85 years the 28th of last July. She ahs resided in Niles since eight years of age, and during her entire lifetime was loved and highly esteemed. She lived her own quite[sic] life, a true and noble women. [sic]

Two daughters and two sons survive. Mrs. Wm. Lamberton and Mrs. Eli Young of this city, Wesley Loane of South Bend, and Byron Loane of Niles.

The funeral will occur from the house, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Wright of the M.E. church officiating. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

 

Loane, Martha "Mattie" (Mell)

Martha  "Mattie" (Mell) Loane
Dec. 11, 1849-Jan. 12, 1914


Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1914, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CAME SUDDENLY

Mrs. Byron Loane, well known Lady dies from heart attack

 

Mrs. Mattie Loane, wife of Byron Loane, passed away last evening at 7:30 o'clock at her home, 799 south Third street. Mrs. Loane has been ill for about three years but was able be about and last evening helped to get supper.  Her death was due to heart disease.

Mrs. Loane is survived by two sons, Walter and Montgomery Martin of Niles, five grandchildren, one brother, Lafayette Mell of Alberta, Ca., and four sisters, Mesdames Lafayette Frye, Frank Morros and Frank Fritzer of Niles and Mrs. Edward Granger of South Bend.

Mrss Loane was born in Dark county, Ohio, Dec. 11, 1849. She came to Niles with her parents, David and Kasiah Mell when she was 12 years old and had since lived in Niles or vicinity.  Oct. 2, 1859 she was married to Eli Martin who died nine years later.  Aug. 19, 1881 to Byron Loane, who survives her.

The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the residence. Rev. Renner of the Evangelical church will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 13, 1914, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. BYRON LOANE DIED SUDDENLY LAST EVENING

Funeral Services Will Be Held Wednesday Afternoon at 3 O'clock

 

Mrs. Mattie Loane, wife of Byron Loane, died at 7:30 o'clock Monday evening. She had been ailing for about three years, but was not seriously ill any of the time. She helped prepare the supper last night. Heart trouble was the cause of her demise.

She is survived by two sons, Walter and Montgomery Martin and five grandchildren of Niles; one brother, LaFayette Mell, of northwestern Canada; four sisters, Mrs. LaFayette Frye, Mrs. Frank Morros, Mrs. Frank Kritzer, all of Niles and Mrs. Edward Granger of South Bend.

The deceased was born in Dark county, Ohio, Dec. 11, 1849. She came here with her parents, David and Kesiah Mell, when 12 years old and has always lived in Niles and vicinity. She was married Oct. 2, 1869 to Eli Martin to whom the two sons were born. He died nine years later. She married the second time Aug. 19, 1881 to Byron Loane.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the house in south Third street, Rev. Renner of the Evangelical church officiating.  Interment will be at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Calvert, William

William Calvet/Calvert

Sept. 1885-Aug. 3, 1937

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1937, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

 

Dam Worker Slips; Drowns at Paper Plant
William Calvet, 51, Swept Off by Current
__________
Companion Escapes
----------------
Police Drag River for Body This Afternoon

 

William Calvet, 51, Niles, drowned in the St. Joseph river at the French Paper company dam at 9:30 o'clock this morning. Calvet's companion Joseph File, R. 3, Niles, clung to a ledge on the dam until he was hauled to safety by other employes of the company.

Both men, employed as millwrights, were repairing the dam when the tragedy occurred.

According to File, they were working without safety belts, as they had on numerous previous occasions.

Mr. File said he had asked Calvet for aid in placing a board. On his way to assist, Calvet slipped and was caught in the current.

Search For Body

Particularly swift at this point the . . [illegible] . .to knock File's feet out from under him.

However, he was washed over the dam Mr. File clamped a vice-like grip on a protruding plank and clung to it until he was pulled to safety.

Calvet's body was hurled into the bed of the river.  It is believed that he was knocked unconscious when this head was dashed against the rocks, approximately 30 feet below.

Niles police were called and with the aid of a cable stretched across the river by the Bell Telephone company were dragging for Calvet's body this afternoon.

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1937, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

HIGH WATER HALTS SEARCH FOR VICTIM
Police Give up Search When Rising River Hampers Activity

 

Hampered by rising water Niles police were forced to give up dragging the St. Joseph river shortly before noon today for the body of William Calvet, 51, who drowned Tuesyay morning.

Aided by a cable stretched across the river by the Michigan Bell Telephone company, police searched the river bed until 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.  The resumed the search at 7 o'clock this morning.

Calvet, a millwright employed by the Frendch paper company, was drowned when he was caught in the swift current and washed over the dam.

His companion, Joseph File, R. 3, Niles, was also caught in the current, but managed to cling to a protruding board on the dam until he was hauled to safety.

Both Calvet and File were engaged in repairing the dam when the tragedy occurred.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Aug. 5, 1937, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

 

BODY OF DROWNING VICTIM RECOVERED
Sighted This Morning 100 Yards Below Scene of Tragedy.

 

Ending a three day search by Niles police the body of William Calvet, 51 , Niles, Berrien county's thirteenth drowing victim, was taken from the St. Joseph river at 11:30 o'clock this morning.

The body was sighted by Joseph File, R. 3, Niles, as it floated down the river about 100 feet from the east bank, and approximately 100 yards below the French paper Mill dam.

Sighted By Workers

File and William Wages, another employe at the French plant, ran to the foot bridge below the dam, and with the aid of a grappling hook caught the body as it floated under the bridge.

File had been working with Calvet on the dam Tuesday morning when the tragedy occurred.  Together they were engaged in placing flash boards.  Caught in the swift current, both lost their balance, but File managed to cling to a protruding board until rescued.

Give up Search

Niles police dragged the river for three hours this morning but were unsuccessful in their search.

Calvet was single, and is believed to have a sister in Michigan City.  However, efforts by police to locate her have proved futile.

The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where an inquest will be conducted Friday morning by Coroner Louis Kerlikowske.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, Aug. 6, 1937, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

 

DROWNING VICTIM'S SERVICE SATURDAY
William Calvert, Native of Michigan City, to be Buried in Niles

 

Final rites for William Calvert, 51, Niles, will be held at 2:30 o'clcok Saturday afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home.

The Rev. Fr. George P. Horkan of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church will conduct the services.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Calvert, an employe of the French Paper mill, drowned in the St. Joseph river Tuesday morning while working on the company dam.

He was born in Michigan City in September, 1885, and had lived in Niles for a number of years.  He was never marrried.

Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. J.C.Ritter and Mrs. Berle Jellison, both of Mihcigan City, and Mrs. John Hogan, Chicago; also one brother, John, Washington, Ind.

Coroner Louis J. Kerlikowske conducted an investigation this morning and returned a verdict of "accidental death by drowning." No inquest will be held.

 

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, Aug. 7, 1937, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

 

CALVERT RITES HELD

 

The Rev. Fr. George P. Horkan conducted funeral services at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home for William Calvert, 51. Mr. Calvert was drowned Tuesday in the St. Joseph River at the French Paper mill dam. William Wages, A.B. James, Fred Knott, Wallace McLaughlin, Joseph File and O.K Brockway, served as pallbearers. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Note: Death record spells name as Calvert.

Camp, Mary T.

Mary Camp, 81
July 15, 1930 — Aug. 27, 2011

Mary T. Camp, 81, of Barrett Street, Niles, died at 11:22 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 at her home of complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Camp

She was born July 15, 1930 in South Bend to Floyd Chester and Mary Elizabeth (Young) Troub, and graduated from John Adams High School, South Bend. She earned a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy and a teaching certificate from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University), Ypsilanti. She was a principal oboist in the college orchestra and freelanced in local churches.

Mary owned and operated the former Queen’s Wardrobe in Niles, and more recently she and her husband hosted The Barrett Place Bed and Breakfast Inn.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles and was active in both local and district United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Ladies’ Historical Society; member and past president of the Berrien County Medical Society Auxiliary; a member of the Berrien County Civil Rights Commission; a board member of the Berrien County Cancer Service; and a volunteer with the former Greater Niles United Way.

When her children were young, she served as a Cub Scout den mother; designed and produced costumes for the Niles High School Theater Department; and volunteered with the Niles High School Band and Orchestra Boosters.

Mary was an active supporter of the building of the YMCA on West Main Street; was a member of the Psi Iota Xi Sorority; and organized the John Adams Class of 1948 reunion committee.

She enjoyed researching and presenting programs of historical interest, including such subjects as Jack Kevborkian’s controversial philosophy and the role quilts played in the Underground Railroad.

On April 4, 1952 in Ypsilanti, she married Donald C. Camp, just months prior to her college graduation and Dr. Camp’s graduation from medical school.

Surviving family includes her husband, Dr. Donald C. Camp, and their children, Don F. Camp of Grand Haven, Mich., Dr. Mary Beth Camp of Bloomington, Ind., Jim (Maryanne) Camp of West Bloomfield, Mich. and Bill (Vicki) Camp of Chicago; grandchildren, Kevin (Ann) Camp, Shannon (Joel) Billau, D.O. and Krista (Eric) Thigpen; great-grandchildren, Amari and Alexi; Kevin and Shannon’s mother, Cindy L. Camp; and Mary’s sister, Evelyn Troub. RN, BSN, MSN of South Bend; and sister-in-law, Elaine Troub of Harper’s Ferry, W. Va.; and nieces, Mary Kay and Kathy.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Lt. Cmdr. Floyd Troub, U.S. Navy, who died in action Jan. 15, 1969.

The funeral service for Mary Camp will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Wesley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Edward H. Slate officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jonathan Rose, spiritual care coordinator for Hospice at Home.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mary Camp may be made to Hospice at Home or to Wesley United Methodist Church.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 9:33pm Monday, August 29, 2011

 

Messenger, Connie

Connie Messenger
May 13, 1960-March 25, 1964


Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 27, 1964, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Connie Messenger, 3, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. LaMarr, Messenger, 223 S. 3rd St., died at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in University of Minnesota Hospital, Minneapolis, following an extended illness.

Connie was born here May 13, 1960, and lived her brief lifetime here.

Other survivors include a sister, Kimberly Annette, and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Ferman Turner, Niles, and Max Messenger, Chicago, and Mrs. Josephine Dove, Mishawaka.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home, Dennis Bennett, circuit minister of the Jehovah's Witnesses, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home