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.

Shook, John F. 1892-1961

John F. Shook
Aug. 17, 1892-Feb. 3, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, February 4, 1961, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

John F. Shook, 68, 932 S. 14th St., retired New York Central Railroad employe, was dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 10:00 a.m. Friday after being stricken ill in a downtown office building.

Mr. Shook, who retired three years ago as supervisor of air brakes and steam heat for the railroad, was born Aug. 17, 1892, in Bertrand Township and had lived his entire lifetime in this community. He was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge, F & A.M., the Pioneer Association of the railroad and the Airbrake Association.

Surviving are: his widow, Alma; a daughter, Mrs. Wilbur Adams, Cincinnati, Ohio; one granddaughter, and a sister, Mrs. Byron Rosenberger, Bertrand Township.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. John P. MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends are being received at the funeral home.

Snyder, Richard Todd 1960-1961

Richard Todd Snyder
July 23, 1960-Jan. 4, 1961

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 5, 1993, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Richard Todd Snyder, 5-month old son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Snyder, 540 Grant St., died at 3:52 p.m. (EST) Wednesday in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, where he had been a patient since Dec. 5, 1960.

The infant was born July 23, 1960, in Niles.

Surviving besides the parents are: a sister and brother, Cathy Ann and Timothy Richard, both at home; the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Snyder and Mr. and Mrs Lester T. Decker, all Niles, and four great grandmothers, Mrs. Frances Salee, Dorr, Mrs. Effie Welsh, Los Angeles, and Mrs. Frank Sibert and Mrs. Fred Sears, both Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Pifer Funeral Home with Dr. Maurice McKean, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

 

Swartz, Ella 1860-1930

Ella Swartz
March 4, 1860-Oct. 8, 1930

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Wednesday, October 8, 1930, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief; DEATH MRS. ELLA SWARTZ

Mrs. Ella Swartz, 70, widow of Joseph Swartz, died this morning at 8 o'clock at her home, 17 S. Barrett street. The funeral plans are not completed. The body is at the Troost and Augustine chapel.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Thursday, October 9, 1930, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief; FUNERAL MRS. ELLA SWARTZ

Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Swartz, 70, widow of Joseph Swartz, will be held in her home, 17 S. Barrett street, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in Silver brook cemetery. Mrs. Swartz who died early on Wednesday morning was born on Portage Jrairie[sic] on March 4, 1860, and had spent her entire life in this vicinity.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Wednesday, October 10, 1930, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL MRS. ELLA SWARTZ

Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Swartz were conducted this afternoon in her home, 17 Barrett street by the Rev. M.R. Everett, pastor of the Evangelical church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Relatives from Three Oaks, Galien and Detroit were among those who attended the services.

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.