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.

Swartz, Wilson 1847-1930

Wilson Swartz
Jan. 1, 1847-Oct. 26, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Monday, October 27, 1930, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH WILKS SWARTZ

[First three lines are illegible due to condition of microfilm] of Niles, died on Sunday morning after a few days of illness. He is survived by several children and sisters. The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home and the funeral services will be held there tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Tuesday, October 28, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL WILSON SWARTZ

Funeral services for Wilson Swartz were held this afternoon with the Rev. M.R. Everett, pastor of the Evangelical church, in charge. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Several relatives from out of the city were present for the funeral services.

Hess, Dean D. 1939-2021

Dean D. Hess, of Edwardsburg
1939-Feb. 7, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 4:03 pm Monday, February 8, 2021

Dean D. Hess, 81, of Edwardsburg, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Arrangements are being made by Brown Funeral Home, of Niles.

Vite, Merritt Hubert 1935-2021

M. Hubert Vite, of Niles
Feb. 12, 1935-Feb/ 10, 2021

Niles Daily Star, Published 5:09 pm Thursday, February 11, 2021

Feb. 12, 1935 — Feb. 10, 2021

Merritt Hubert Vite, 85, of Niles, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, at his daughter’s home after a lengthy illness.

He was born on Feb. 12, 1935, to the late Merritt and Zora (Eisele) Vite in Buchanan.

He graduated from Buchanan High School, class of 1952. On June 26, 1953, he wed the love of his life, Juliana P. Jaroch, at a ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Niles. Hubert went on to have many successful careers. He worked for many years at Clark Equipment during the day, after grabbing a quick meal he was off to sell Kirby vacuums and worked in his real estate adventures. For many years, he was owner of Tastee Twirl in Cassopolis, and after moving out to Las Vegas, Nevada, Hubert became the #1 Lincoln Salesperson in the state , until his retirement.

Hubert loved to work, he was extremely goal driven and felt great satisfaction in seeing the fruits of his labor. He had very little time for hobbies, given that work was kind of his hobby, however, he could sit and listen to his wife play the violin for hours. She certainly was the apple of his eye and nothing made him happier than seeing her smile. He was extremely proud of his family, and if you spent much time with him, you would hear him boasting of their accomplishments.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 62 years, Juliana Vite, his grandson, Caleb Dudas, and his sister, Dorothy Vite.

Hubert is survived by his beloved three children; Deborah “Deb” (Dan) Dudas, of Niles; sons, Michael Vite, of Cassopolis, and David (Elisa) Vite, of South Bend; doting grandfather of Lisa, Erica, Melissa, Megan, Mike, Molly, Amber, David Jr. and Sabina, six great-grandchildren and his brothers, William (Madelyn) and Robert Vite, all of Buchanan.

Services to celebrate Hubert will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 at Brown Funeral Home with a time of visitation beginning at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife at Silverbrook Cemetery.

In keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, the State of Michigan requires all in attendance to follow all guidelines including, social distancing, mandatory mask, and hand sanitizing. We appreciate your assistance helping us to keep everyone in attendance healthy.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honor of Hubert have been asked to consider the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles, MI 49120.

Condolences, photos, and memories of Merritt can be shared with his family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Foster, Henry Sr. 1925-2021

Henry Foster Sr.
April 05, 1925 - February 08, 2021

Published on Hoven Funeral Home website

https://www.hovenfunerals.com/obituary/henry-foster-sr-7358458

Henry Foster Sr., 95, of Niles, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021.

He was born on April 5, 1925 to the late John and Minnie (Holmes) Foster in Atlanta, GA. On August 28, 1952, he married Bertha Miller in South Bend, IN. Together they had 5 wonderful children. Sadly on June 30, 1984 Bertha passed away. Henry spent most of his life serving the Lord and was a pastor for many years until he retired.

Henry is survived by his sons, Henry Foster Jr., James Foster, Curtis Foster; daughters, Mary Foster-Carre, Linda Peppers; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Bertha; parents, John and Minnie; brothers, Leroy Foster, John Foster, James Foster, Raymond Foster; and sister, Mary Alice Foster.

A private family viewing will take place and burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.  Online condolences may be made at www.hovenfunerals.com.

Walker, Alberta L. (Ballard) 1915-1993

Alberta L. Walker
Jan. 8, 1915-Jan. 4, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 5, 1993, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Alberta L. Walker
1915-1993
Retired Laverty Real Estate
office manager

Funeral services for Alberta L. Walker, 77, of 1360 Oak St., Niles are scheduled for 11 a.m Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. James A. Goodbow officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Walker died at 12:08 a.m. Monday at Woodfield Manor following an extended illness.

Born January 8, 1915, in Michigan City, she lived in Niles all her life.

On June 26, in Niles, she married George W. “Bill” Walker of Buchanan who preceded her in death on June 20, 1991.

She retired as Office Manager of the former Laverty Real Estate Agency in Niles.

She is survived by two sons, Joseph A. Walker of Niles and George W. “Bill” Walker of Buchanan; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mabel Roskay of Niles and Jewell Chubb of Buchanan.

Memorial contributions may be made to the foundation of the First Presbyterian Church or the Berrien County Cancer Service.

Wilken, Paul Ernest 1885-1961

Paul Ernest Wilken
Feb. 11, 1885-Jan. 23, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, January 24, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

POKAGON―Paul Wilken, 75, Pokagon, retired New York Central Railroad machinist, died at 12:15 a.m. today in Kalamazoo.

Mr. Wilken was born Feb. 11, 1885, in Germany and came to this community from Flint. He had lived here most of his life and was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Niles.

Surviving are his widow, Jennie; three sons, Alman and Vern Wilken, both Niles, and Clifford Wilken, of Florida, a daughter, Mrs. Joseph Hull Osceola, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and a brother, Conrad Wilken, Mount Forest, Mich.

Beginning Wednesday evening, friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home until noon on Thursday.

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

 

Wimmer, Shirley Ann 1936-1993

Shirley Ann Wimmer
Sept. 12, 1936-Jan. 14, 1993

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 21, 1993, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Shirley Wimmer
1936-1993
Former Niles homemaker

Funeral arrangements for Shirley Ann Wimmer, 56, of Gulfport, Miss., formerly of Niles, are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Morton Hempel of the Church of God Full Gospel, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Wimmer died at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 14, at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport following a long illness.

Born Sept. 12, 1936, in Benton Harbor, she lived in Niles until May 1992.

She was a widowed homemaker.

Survivors include two daughters, Vivian Topping of Gulfport and Lisa Olson of Piqua, Ohio; a son, William L. Jones of South Bend; nine grandchildren and one brother, Charles Bisbo of Benton Harbor.

Friends may call one hour prior to the services Friday afternoon.