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.

Walton, Arthur

editor Obituaries July 10, 2011

Arthur Walton
Sept. 20, 1879*-Dec. 23, 1926

Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 24, 1926, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

ARTHUR WALTON IS STRICKEN AFTER ANN ARBOR OPERATION

Sadness was brought to a large circle of friends in Niles last evening by the announcement of the death in University hospital in Ann Arbor of Arthur Walton, 46, of Niles.

Mr. Walton entered the hospital three weeks ago, and on last Tuesday he had an operation for goitre[sic]. His wife was summoned to Ann Arbor Tuesday night on account of his serious condition, and she and Mr. Walton's brother, Herbert, of Niles, were at his bedside when he passed away.

Mr. Walton had been in ill health for more than a year, and had consulted with specialists in several hospitals, and had been in Cuba for the benefit of his health. He had recently been in the sanitarium in Battle Creek, and upon returning home had resumed his work as a Michigan Central switchman. His death was quite unexpected.

Mr. Walton was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Walton, deceased, and was born on a farm north of Niles near the interurban crossing which bears the family name. Mr. Walton was married nine years ago to Miss Margaret Foster, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foster. She survives him, as does also one daughter, Virginia. Besides the widow and daughter, Mr. Walton is survived by four brothers who are: Jay Walton, of Portland, Ore.; Byron, of Aberdeen, S.D.; Dwight, of Kansas City, and Herbert, of Niles. Byron returned to Aberdeen only last Sunday after spending a week with his brother. Dwight is expected in Niles tomorrow.

Mr. Walton was a member of the firm of Walton Brothers, proprietors of the Walton news depot, and since the death of his brother, Roy, four years ago he has given the business much personal attention in addition to his work on the railroad.

Mr. Walton was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the funeral services will be under the auspices of St. Joseph lodge, No. 4, and F. and A.M. The body was brought to Niles early this morning by M.S. Rutherford, and it is now at his funeral home.

Mr. Walton was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No., 4, F. and A.M. of St. Joseph Valley Chapter, No. 2, R.A.M., of Niles Council, No. 19, Royal and Select Masons, and of Niles Commandery, No., 12, Knights Templar.

*Note: Date of birth from WWI Draft Registration @Ancestry.com

Roskay, Mabel Y.

editor Obituaries July 10, 2011

Mabel Y. Roskay
March 30, 1913-Nov. 28, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 2, 1995, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mabel Y. Roskay
1913-1995
first woman solo
pilot in Niles

Funeral services for Mabel Y. Roskay, 82, 2023 Lake, Niles will be 2 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Niles by the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of the church.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mrs. Roskay died at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at her winter home in Port St. Lucie, Fla., following a brief illness.

She was born March 30, 1913 in Michigan City, Ind. and had lived in Niles most of her life. She had wintered in Port St. Lucie since 1952. She married Leland C. Roskay on April 28, 1941 in Elkhart, Ind. He preceded her in death Oct. 21, 1980. Mrs. Roskay was a career pilot, and was the first woman solo pilot in Niles. She ran Niles Airways, Inc. while her husband served as a pilot in World War II. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, and attended First Presbyterian Church in North River Shores, Fla.

She is survived by a sister, Juel Chubb of Buchanan; a daughter, Susan Roskay-Kaufmann of Palm City, Fla.; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Kaufmann of Palm City. She was preceded in death by seven sisters.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Armstrong, Dennis Wayne

editor Obituaries July 10, 2011

Dennis Wayne Armstrong
Aug. 28, 1947-Nov. 30, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 2, 1995, page 2, col. 2-3, microfilm Niles District Library

Dennis Wayne Armstrong
1947-1955
retired police officer

Funeral services for Dennis Wayne Armstrong, 48, of Ridgedale, Mo. will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles, with miliary rites by American Legion Ralph Rumbaugh Post 51, Buchanan.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Armstrong died at 7:10 p.m. Thursday at Skaggs Cummunity Hospital, Branson, Mo. of natural causes.

He was born Aug. 28, 1947 in Niles, and lived in Albuquerque, N.M. before moving to Branson, Mo.

He married the former Vicki Young, who survives.

He retired as a captain with the Albuquerque Police Department in 1988, and was working in real estate in Branson.

He was member of the Niles High School class of 1966, a Vietnam veteran, a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the Albuquerque Rotary Club, and founded the Christian Police Officers Association of Albuquerque.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his mother, Midge DePyl of Buchanan; his father and stepmother, Warren and Millie Armstrong of Albuquerque; a daughter, Heather Armstrong of Ridgedale, Mo.; a half-sister Laurie Banke of Niles; a half-brother, Mike DePyl of Buchanan; stepsisters Linda Cornwell and Sharon Crismore of Alburquerque and stepbrother William Lewis of Albuquerque.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saladin Shrine Foundation for Crippled Children.

Elder, Mayo

editor Obituaries July 5, 2011

Mayo Elder
July 17, 1907-Nov. 23, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 25, 1995, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Mayo Elder
1907-1995
Worked in a cotton gin in Tennessee

Funeral services for May Elder, 88, of 1422 N. 11th, Niles will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Calvary Baptist church, Niles by the Rev. W.L. Daniel.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Mr. Elder died at 4 a.m. Thursday at home of natural causes.

He was born July 17, 1907 in Gibbons County, Tenn. and had lived in Niles since 1984.

He was a laborer in a cotton gin in Tennessee, and was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

Survivors include one sister, Minnie Irvin of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sons, Thomas Elder of Kalamazoo and Billy Ray Elder of Dallas; and one daughter, Mary Esley of Niles.

One daughter, Johnnie Mae Porter, preceded him in death in 1985.

Friends may call at the church from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday.

Contois, Margaret M.

editor Obituaries July 5, 2011

Margaret M. Contois
Aug. 9, 1910-Nov. 25, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 27, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Margaret M. Contois
1910-1995
helped establish for School for Exceptional Children in Niles

Funeral services for Margaret M. Contois, 85, of 1605 Broadway, Niles, will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles by the Rev. Nolan R. Williams of Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Mrs. Contois died at 2:21 a.m. Saturday at Country Home Adult Foster Care in Niles, following an extended illness.

She was born Aug. 9, 1910 at Eau Claire, and had lived in this area all her life.

On Jan. 26, 1942, in Allen County, Ohio, she married George T. Contois, who died March 29, 1989.

Mrs. Contois was co-owner of the former Contois Hardware Stare in Niles.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. She participated in many community service and social activities including helping to establish the former School for Exceptional Children in Niles, and the Niles Garden Club.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in Death by two brothers, William Howard LaMore and Weldon P. "Pete" LaMore.

Friends may call at the funeral home today from 6-8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blossomland Learning Center.

Eisele, Blossom

editor Obituaries July 4, 2011

Blossom Eisele
Nov. 6, 1914-April 14, 1915

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 14, 1915, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Blossom, five months' old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Eisele of Barrett street, died of pluro pneumonia this morning at 9 o'clock. The funeral arrangements are pending the arrival of relatives. A brother, Fred, ill with pneumonia at Sumnerville, has sufficiently recovered to be able to come here for the funeral.

Thompson, Lowell N.

editor Obituaries July 4, 2011

Lowell Thompson
Aug. 29, 1936 — June 27, 2011

Lowell N. “Butch” Thompson, 74, of Merrifield Avenue, Niles, died at 9:50 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2011 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born Aug. 29, 1936 in Niles to William Lloyd Thompson and Linnie Lillian (Coomes) Thompson. Butch lived in Niles all his life.

He was a retired employee of Riblets Manufacturing in Elkhart, Ind. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Niles Senior Center. He enjoyed carpentry in his wood shop at home and camping, especially at Marcellus.

He married Bonnie Netta (Rankin) Thompson on Aug. 15, 1959 in Niles. She died Nov. 19, 1994.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers: Robert Thompson, who died Feb. 1, 2002; Raymond Thompson, who died Sept. 21, 1990; and Roy Thompson, Sr., who died July 2, 1991.

He is survived by his daughters, Janet Hubbard of Pineville, Ark. and Debbie (Ed) Jasinski of Edwardsburg; a sister, Virginia Harwood of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at noon Friday, July 1 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Janet Van Lear of Buchanan officiating.

Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call beginning at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 8:58pm Wednesday, June 29, 2011

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