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.

Altenberger, William

William Altenberger
Oct. 13, 1878-April 23, 1921

DEATH FOLLOWS LONG ILLNESS

William Altenberger, 43, Succumbs at Home of Sister; Funeral Today

 

William Altenberger, 43 years old, died Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the home of his sister, Mrs. Harvey Fisher, 306 Parkway, where he had made his home for seven years.  Mr. Altenberger had been in ill health since last Christmas with a complication of diseases.  About a week ago he became alarmingly ill and last Friday afternoon he was taken to St. Joseph hospital in South Bend, but the physicians advised against an operation in his weakened condition as they realized there was no hope for his recovery, and he was brought back to Mrs. Fisher's home Friday evening. The immediate cause of death was phyrohea.

The funeral services were conducted this afternoon by Rev. W.H. Camfield, pastor of the Evangelical church.  Burial occurred in Silver Brook cemetery.

Mr. Altenberger was born in Mishawaka, Ind., Oct. 13, 1878. He came to Niles seven years ago, and until ill health prevented him from working he was employed during his residence here at the Kawneer, and was highly esteemed among his associates and acquaintances.

The deceased is survived by three sisters who are Mrs. Fisher, Niles; Mrs. Louis Knott, South Bend; Mrs. Lena Bachtel, Chicago; also by the half-sisters and two half-brothers who are Mrs. Bert Bailey, Dowagiac; Miss Anna Altenberger, Logansport, Ind.; David Altenberger, Logansport, Ind., and Louis who lives in Ohio.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 25, 1921, page 1, col. 2,

Williams, Caroline H.

Miss Caroline H. Williams
Oct. 16, 1842-Oct. 29, 1924


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 29, 1924, page 8, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Dies After But Day Of Illness

 

Miss Caroline H. Williams, after an illness of but one day, died this morning at 2 o'clock at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ralph Ballard, at the age of 82 years.

Miss Williams was born in Niles, October 16, 1842, and lived here until the early eighties when she accompanied her sister and brother-in-law to South Dakota, where she lived until 1912, when she returned to Niles, and had since made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Ballard.

Miss Williams was the daughter of William C. and Elizabeth Williams and was the last living member of a large family of brothers and sisters, most of whom died in early manhood and womanhood.

Since her return to Niles, Miss Williams has made many new friends as well as enjoying those she knew as a child.

The funeral service will be held at the Ballard home, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.  Rev. H.T. Scherer will officiate.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 31, 1924, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICES TODAY


Funeral services for Miss Caroline Williams were conducted this afternoon by Rev. H.T. Scherer, at the home of Mr.and Mrs. Ralph Ballard. Mrs. Albert Vetter sang.  The following served as pall bearers:  Walter and Herbert Freed, Hugh MacEachern, Harry, Ralph and Donald Ballard.  Burial took place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Shockley, Elias James

Elias James Shockley
Dec. 6, 1872-Oct. 31, 1924



Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 31, 1924, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

VICTIM OF APOPLEXY


Elias Shockley, 51, died at 11 o'clock this morning at his home, at 1101 Cedar street.  Mr. Shockley was stricken with apoplexy last Sunday.  The funeral arangements[sic] will be announced tomorrow.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 1, 1924, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral Services On Monday for Elias Shockley

 

Funeral services for Elias Shockley will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home, 1101 Cedar St.  Rev. J.W. Sheehan, pastor of the Methodist church will officiate.  Burial will take place in silver Brook cemetery.

Elias James Schockley was born December 6, 1872, in Milton township, Cass county.  He died Friday morning Oct. 31, about 11 o'clock as the result of a stroke of apoplexy suffered last Sunday morning.  From the time he was stricken he was conscious but a short time.

Mr. Shockley was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Shockley. He was married October 29, 1896 to Miss Ella Huff, who survives him, as does also one daughter, Ardis, age eight years.  Besides and widow and daughter, he is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Victoria Shockley of Niles, and the following brothers and sisters, Mrs.James Brown, Mrs. J.H. Huff, Mrs. Lewis Miller, Mrs. Lou Leach, Mrs. William Bachman; and Chas. Shockley, all of Niles, George Shockley, Mishawaka, Ind.; and Sylvester Shockley, of Kalamazoo.  He was a twin brother of Clarence Shockley, night city police officer who was shot while on duty 17  years ago.  Mr. Shockley's father died 18 years ago.

The deceased had served the city as night police patrolman, but for a number of years, had been a mechanist at the Garden City Fan plant.  He was at his work as usual last Saturday and his death comes a shock to his fellow employes by whom he was held in high esteem, as well as by a large circle of friends thru-out the city.  The deceased had no fraternal affiliations.

 

 

Neib, Edward

Edward Neib (Nieb)
1853-Oct. 27, 1924


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 28, 1924, page 8, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Edward Neib, 71, Dead; Long Ill

 

Edward Neib, 71, a well known and highly respected resident of this section for more than 60 years, died on Monday evening at 10 o'clock at his home, three miles west of Niles. His death followed about eighteen months of illness from a complication of diseases.

Mr. Neib was born at Harris Prairie, Ind.  When a youth of about 11 years he came to Niles and had always since lived on the farm where his death occurred.

He had always followed the occupation of a farmer. He is survived by a widow, who was formerly Mary Opelt, of Mishawaka, and by two children, Mrs. Gus Klingbell, of Mishawaka, Ind., and Howard Neib, of Niles, and the following sisters and brothers, Mrs. Dolph Sackman, Mrs. David Young and Chris Neib, of Niles; Jacob Neib, of Mishawaka, and John Neib, of Long Beach, calif.

The funeral services will be conducted at the home Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock by Rev. H.T. Scherer, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

Throughout his long residence in this section, Mr. Neib and had made many friends by whom he was highly regarded, and who deeply mourn his death.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 29, 1924, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL TOMORROW


Funeral services for Edward Neib will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock instead of 3 o'clock as announced. Rev. H.T. Scherer will conduct the service. Among the surviving relatives of Mr. Neib, omitted from the obituary sketch Tuesday are three grandchildren to whom he was devoted. They are the son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Neib, and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Klingbell.

NB: Name is spelled "Neib" in this obituary but is spelled "Nieb" in other records including the cemetery index.

 

Shaffer, Sarah Emma File (Stewart)

Sarah Emma File Shaffer
Abt. 1859-Oct. 20, 1935


Niles Daily Star, Monday, Oct. 21, 1935, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Sarah Shaffer, Ex-Niles Woman, Dies

 

Mrs. Sarah Emma File Shaffer, 76, died early Sunday morning at the home of her niece, Mrs. Edward Ley, 1014 Hill street, South Bend, after an illness of several years.

Mrs. Shaffer leaves her husband, Conrad Shaffer, South Bend; a brother, Amos Stewart, and a nephew, Claude Stewart, of Niles, and the niece at whose home she died.

Mrs. Shaffer lived in Niles until about 15 years ago when she moved to South Bend. She was better known here as Mrs. Sarah Emma File, her second marriage having occurred after she left Niles.

The body was brought to the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call until the hour of the services.  The funeral will be held at Price and Kiger's Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock the Rev. T.O. Lee of the Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SHAFFER RITES TODAY


Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Emma File Shaffer, 76, who died Sunday at the home of her niece in South Bend, were held this afternoon in the Price and Kiger chapel.  The Rev. T.O.Lee, of the Methodist church, officiated. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Bordner, Nellie Bly (Dick)

Nellie Bordner
March 24, 1902-May 22, 1919


Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, May 22, 1919, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH CLAIMS YOUNG WOMAN

Mrs. William Bordner, Aged 17, a Victim of Peritonitis.

 

Mrs. William Bordner, aged 17 years, died this morning at 7:10 o'clock at her home, 711 Brown avenue, after a few days' illness with peritonitis.

Mrs. Bordner was formerly Miss Nellie Dick, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dick, who reside about five miles north of Niles. She was born in March 1902. On Christmas eve, 1918, she was married to William Bordner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bordner, who reside also on Brown avenue, on what was formerly the Gimlin property.  Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Bordner is survived by three sisters and one brother who are: Mrs. John Huss, Dailey; Mrs. Crystal Killinger, Minerva, O.; Mrs. Crystal Killinger, Minerva, O.;[sic] Earl Dick, who resides with his parents.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. A.W. Lyons will officiate. Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 22, 1919, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH TAKE MRS. WM. BORDNER

 

Mrs. William Bordner, aged 17, died this morning at 7 o'clock at her home, 711 Bond street, following a few days illness of peritonitis.

Deceased was born in Hicksville, Ohio, March 24, 1902. She was married December 1918 to William Bordner of this city.

Besides the huseband[sic] she is survived by her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Edward Dick; three sisters, Mrs. John Tillinger, Minerva, Ohio; Mrs. John Huss, Daily; and Miss Ora Dick of Berrien Springs and one brother, Earl Dick of Niles.

The young woman was highly esteemed and her death comes as a great shock to all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.  Rev. A.W. Lyons officiating. Burial will occur in Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Stephens, Terry Lee

Terry Lee Stephens
Dec. 27, 1943-Nov. 7, 1944


Stephens Infant Dies in Hospital

 

Terry Lee Stephens, 10 month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Stephens, Route 4, died at noon Tuesday in Pawating hospital following a month's illness.

The infant was born Dec. 27, 1943.

Surviving are the parents; the grandparents, Mrs. Martha Lambert and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nichols, Niles; three brothers, Larry, Wilbert and Jerry Stephens, and a sister, Peggy Joan Stephens.

Services will be conducted in the Pifer funeral home Thursday at 10 a.m. by the Rev. G.A. Steeby, pastor of the First Evangelical church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 8, 1944, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library