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.

Medders, William Louie

editor Obituaries
William Louie Medders
Sept. 9, 1905-Oct. 3, 1983

    William Louie Medders, 78, 1417 Merrifield, died at 3:05 a.m. Monday at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.
    Born Sept. 9, 1905, in Texas, he resided in the area since 1923, coming from Texas, and was a member of the Wesley United Methodist church and a retired employee of United Dairies.  On Dec. 27, 1925, in Tennessee, he married Nellie Sue Holmes, who preceded him in death in 1969. On March 5, 1971, in Niles, he married Cleo Bullen Medders, who survives.
    Also surviving are two sons, Thomas S. and William H., both of Niles; one step-son, Gary Bullen of Long Beach, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Becky White of Winter Haven, Fla. and Mrs. Vivian Streyle of Seattle, wash.[sic]; one brother, T.N. Medders of Chattanooga, Tenn.; one sister, Mrs. Inez Limbough of Winchester, Tenn.; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
    Services are 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles; with Rev. Mark D. Graham of the Wesley United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.  Wednesday at the funeral home.
    Memorials may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 4, 1983, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Raabe, Hazel

editor Obituaries

Mrs. Hazel Raabe
Jan. 18, 1892-April 30, 1972


Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 1, 1972, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


NILES-- Mrs. Hazel Raabe, 80, of 1842 Bond St., died at 9:30 a.m. Sunday in the Michigan Skill Care Center.

Born Jan. 18, 1892, in Wolcott, Ind., Mrs. Raabe had lived here since 1953, coming from South Bend.  On June 25, 1913, she married William F. Raabe, who died Dec. 15, 1961.

Survivors include a son Donald of Niles; a sister, Mrs. Mable Mohn of New York, N.Y., one grandchild and [illegible] great-grandchildren

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m.  today in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Fred Smith of the South Niles Community Church officiating.  Burial followed in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Sparks, L. Jay

editor Obituaries
L. Jay Sparks
June 27, 1892- April 30, 1972

    BERRIEN SPRINGS--L. Jay Sparks, 79, of Fairland Rd., died at 7:30 a.m Sunday in Pawating Hospital, Niles, after an illness of several months.
    A retired farmer, Mr. Sparks was born June 27, 1892, in Berrien County, and had lived here all his life. On Nov. 25, 1914, in South Bend, he married the former Verna Young, who died in 1949.
    Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. John Ducey of Niles and Mrs. Edith McCoy of Palos Park, Ill.; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Jones of Notre Dame, Ind., and Mildred Sparks of Coloma; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
    Committal services were held at 11 a.m today in Silverbrook Cemetery, with the Rev. Donald E. Gordon  of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.
    Local arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home.
    Memorials may be given to the Sparks Memorial Library, Berrien Springs.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 1, 1972, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Burke, Ellyn G.

editor Obituaries
Mrs. Ellyn G. Burke
Sept. 7, 1905-April 29, 1972

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 1, 1972, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

    NILES--Mrs. Ellyn G. Burke, 66, of 30 S. Third St., died at 12:35 a.m. Saturday in Boca Raton, Fla. Community Hospital after an illness of three months.  She had been spending the winter in Florida.
    Mrs. Burke was born Sept. 7, 1905, in Chicago, Ill., and had lived here since 1944, coming from her place of birth. On Oct. 20, 1926, in Chicago, she married John Burke, who survives.
    Mrs. Burke is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Thomas . .[illegible] . .Farland and Mrs. John Murphy, all of Chicago.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m Wednesday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Slowey officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call ofter 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home., where a rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
--
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 2, 1972, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    NILES--Funeral services for Mrs. Ellyn G. Burke, 66, of 30 S. Third St., who died Saturday in Boca Raton, Fla., will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the St. Mary's Church.
    Officiating will be the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Slowey.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the Pifer Funeral Home.

Lowery, Edgar E.J.

editor Obituaries
Edgar E.J. Lowery
Sept. 3, 1909-May 2, 1972

    Niles--Edgar E.J. Lowery, 63, of 1314 Silverbrook Ave., died at 1 a.m. Tuesday in his home after an extended illness.
    A retired truck driver for the Shell Oil Co., Mr. Lowery was born Sept. 3, 1909, in New Castle, Ind., and had lived here for 15 years, coming from Knox, Ind.  On Dec. 24, 1948, in Bellefontaine, Ohio, he married Nellie L. White, who survives.
    Also surviving are two sons, John of Niles, and Dale of Kansas; a stepson, Floyd Kuntz of California; three daughters, Donna Lowery at home, Mrs. Clara Wiltfong of Niles and Mrs. Martha Cansler of Kansas; a sister, Mrs. Thomas Jones of Plymouth, Ind., and 13 grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m . Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Fred T. Smith of the South Niles Community Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call after 11 a.m Thursday in the funeral home.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 3 1972, page 2, col. 1 microfilm Niles District Library

Gablick, Leona

editor Obituaries
Mrs. Leona Gablick
Dec. 29, 1889-May 1, 1972

    JONES--Funeral services for Mrs. Leona Gablick, 82, who died at 2:40 p.m. Monday in the Three Rivers Hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home, Niles.
    Officiating will be the Rev. Jack Weatherby of the Bethel Temple of Marcellus.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Friends may call after 7 tonight at the funeral home.
    Mrs. Gablick was born Dec. 29, 1889, In Indiana. Her husband, John Gablick, died May 10, 1967.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 3, 1972, page 2, col. 2 microfilm Niles District Library

Fletcher, Bonnie Jean (Hellwig)

editor Obituaries

Bonnie J. Fletcher, 79
Dec. 15, 1931 — Jan. 20, 2011

With a little laughing, a little crying and a lot of loving, Bonnie Jean (Hellwig) Fletcher, 79, of Pucker Street Drive in Niles, slipped from life into the arms of her awaiting savior at 11:52 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, at her home following a nine month battle with cancer.

FletcherShe came into this world on Dec. 15, 1931 in Buchanan as the daughter of Clarence and Georgia (Slabecek) Hellwig and lived in this area all of her life.

She made her commitment to Christ on Dec. 24, 1954 and served Him faithfully the rest of her life.

For many years she was a member and taught Sunday school at the former First Assembly of God in Niles. She was currently a member of the First Missionary Church in Niles where she had served with her husband as deaconess and deacon.

She enjoyed caring for family and friends in women’s church groups mentoring young people, being a passionate prayer warrior and especially with her famous fish fry.

In 1976 she stood faithfully with her husband as they founded the Nub Lake Campground on the north side of Niles. She found new opportunities to care for folks in the camp office as she greeted and checked-in both new and long-time campers, scooping ice cream and her favorite activity — selling penny candy to children.

On July 14, 1950, at the First Methodist Church in Buchanan, she was married to Bruce Fletcher with whom she celebrated the 60th anniversary of that marriage last year.

Bruce met Jesus in March 1955 and with Bonnie became a powerful team in His service.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Bruce and their children, Tim (Debbie) Fletcher of Niles, Andrew (Barbara) Fletcher of Orange Park, Fla. and Pam Brady of Kalamazoo; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren (with another due soon); brother Duane (Elizabeth) Hellwig of Niles and sisters Nancy Atkinson, also of Niles, Donna (Carl) Newsom of Buchanan and Sally (Bill) Newman of Kissimme Fla. and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by five children, Glen, Peggy, Jorjen, Molly Beth and Robin Kay.

The funeral service for Bonnie Fletcher will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011 at the First Missionary Church in Niles with Rev. Daniel Miller of the church and Tim Fletcher officiating with the testimony of several friends celebrating her life. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Contributions in memory of Bonnie Fletcher may be made to Hospice at Home whose staff cared for Bonnie and her family in many remarkable ways that will long be remembered.

Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:27pm Sunday, January 23, 2011

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