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.

Clements, Dennis Clifton 1967-2019

Dennis Clifton Clements, of Niles
Aug. 8, 1967 — March 2, 2019

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:32 am Friday, March 8, 2019

Dennis Clifton Clements, 51, of Niles, died peacefully at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the home of a friend in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on Aug. 8, 1967, in Utica, New York, to Dennis Lyn and Mary Lorraine (Biles) Clements.

Dennis Clifton Clements,

He attended Niles Community Schools and has lived here most of his life. He was employed in several area manufacturing firms, and more recently had been employed with tree service companies.

Dennis enjoyed preparing barbecue in his backyard and sharing the results with family and friends. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing locally, and played in area pool leagues.

He was sadly preceded in death by a daughter, Chelsey Marie Clements, and her son, Hunter Dale Roper. He was also preceded in death by his father, Dennis Lyn Clements; and his sisters, Tammy Sue Clements, and Rebecca Jean Chapman.

Surviving family includes his son, Kevin Nemethy, of Niles; a daughter, Eveva Joan Davis; grandchildren, Evangilina, Aejalee, Chatten, Dazzimia, and Ashley; Dennis’ mother, Mary L. Pickens, of Niles; half-brothers, Samuel and Thomas Clements, both of Mishawaka, Indiana; step-brothers, Roger Schiele, of South Bend, and David Williams, of Florida; caregivers Mary Curtis (who had been his high-school sweetheart), and Kia Bennit; and a great circle of wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including Chris Wall.

The family of Dennis Clements will gather to share memories and honor his life from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles. Online condolences may be left at: halbritterwickens.com.

Cochran, Charles 1892-1971

Charles Cochran
Aug. 8, 1892-Jan. 6, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 7, 1971, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Charles Cochran, 78, of 1541 Michigan St., died at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday in Pawating Hospital, after an illness of two months.

A retired carpenter, Mr. Cochran was born Aug. 8, 1892, in Niles Township, and had lived here all his life. On Jan. 1, 1939, in Greenville, Ky., he married the former Marietta Kirtley, who survives.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Trenery officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call beginning Friday at the funeral home.

Doehrer, Bertha Elizabeth 1891-1971

Bertha Elizabeth Doehrer
Sept. 24, 1891-Jan. 31, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, February 1, 1971, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Mrs. Bertha Elizabeth Doehrer, 2430 Yankee St., died at 3:50 p.m. Sunday in the Dor-A-Lin Nursing Home, after an extended illness. She had lived here all her life.

Mrs. Doehrer was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Her husband, Henry W., died in July, 1953.

Survivors include two brothers, Clarence R. and C. Emmet Swartz, both of Niles, and two sisters, Mrs. Harriet F. Wright of Niles and Mrs. Mable M. Wolfe of Granger, Ind.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Erickson, Charles O. 1893-1971

Charles O. Erickson
Nov. 13 1893-Jan. 12, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, January 13, 1971, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Charles O. Erickson, 77, of 52, Park Dr., Dayton, Ohio, formerly Niles, died at 3:45 p.m. Monday in Grandview Osteopathic Hospital, Dayton.

A salesman, Mr. Erickson was born Nov. 13, 1893, in Shelby, Ohio, and had lived in Dayton for 30 years. He was a World War I veteran of the Navy.

Survivors include four brothers, Schuyler and Edward, both of Niles, Elmer of Gary and Chester of Ionia, and three sisters, Mrs. Emily Stokely and Mrs. Howard Pugh, both of Niles, and Mrs. Joseph Baedinger of Mishawaka.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Orin Bailey of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 Wednesday at the funeral home.

 

 

Hegerfeld, Christian W. 1901-1971

Christian W. Hegerfeld
Dec. 11, 1901-Jan. 24, 1971

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, January 25, 1971, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Christian W. Hegerfeld, 69, of 1914 M-40 North, died Sunday in Pawating Hospital, after an illness of three weeks.

A retired employe of Simplicity Pattern Co., Mr. Hegerfeld was born Dec. 11, 1901, in Fort Wayne, Ind., and had lived here for 34 years, coming from South Bend. On Oct. 31, 1936, in Fort Wayne, he married the former Fairy Clark, who survives. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Additional survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Bruce (Doreen) Secor of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Fred Miller of Sanger, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m Wednesday in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Theodore Laesch officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 Tuesday evening at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, February 2, 1971, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES—Funeral services for Christian W. Hegerfeld, 69, of 1914 M-40 North, who died Sunday, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Officiating will be the Rev. Theordore Laesch. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call now at the Pifer Funeral Home.

In addition to survivors listed in Mondays obituary, Mr. Hegerfeld is survived by a son, William of Albuquerque, N.M.

Hibbard, Wilhelmina 1889-1961

Wilhelmina Hibbard
Aug. 27, 1889-Feb. 23, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Friday, February 24, 1961, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Wilhelmina Hibbard, 72, 1967 Lewis Drive, died at 5 p.m. Thursday in Pawating Hospital where she had been admitted on Wednesday. She had been in failing health for 18 months.

Mrs. Hibbard was born Aug. 27, 1889, in Niles and had lived her entire lifetime in this community.

Surviving are; her husband, Floyd, a sister, Miss Etta McFaden, Niles, and a nephew in York, Pa.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth G. Carey, pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Hibberd, Evelyn M. 1911-1993

Evelyn M. Hibberd
Oct. 30 1911-Feb. 2, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, February 4, 1993, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Evelyn M. Hibberd
1911-1993
secretary for Wood's Beverage

Private funeral services for Evelyn M. Hibberd, 81, 2330 E. Main St., Niles, are planned.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Hibberd died at 4:40 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Medical Center in South Bend following a brief illness.

Born Oct. 30, 1911, in Baroda, she moved to Niles in 1927, coming from Baroda.

On Dec. 31, 1942, in Medford, Ore., she married the late Robert L. Hibberd, who preceded her in death on June 22, 1972.

She worked as a secretary for the former Wood's Beverage in Niles.

She is survived by a daughter, Gwendolyn M. Kater of South Bend; two grandsons, Craig Kater of Niles and Scott Kater of Appleton, Wisc; four grandchildren; a sister Magdalena Fisher of Niles and a brother Ivan Moyer of Phoenix, Ariz.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Community Library or the donor's choice.

Arrangements were handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.