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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.

Smiedendorf, Arthur A.

editor Obituaries January 14, 2011
Arthur A. Smiedendorf
Jan. 31, 1897-Feb. 2, 1932


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 3, 1932, page 1, col. 5 , continued page 2, col 1, microfilm Niles District Library

A.A. SMIEDENDORF DIES AFTER STROKE SUFFERED AT WORK
Is Stricken Whilte at Work in Clinker Pit at Terminal

    Arthur A. Smiedendorf, 35, Michigan Central railroad employe, and an ex-service man, died in Pawating hospital about midnight last night of a stroke of paralysis.  Mr. Smiedendorf was stricken while at work in the Michigan Central roundhouses.  Leaving the  home of his mother, Mrs. Augusta Smiedendorf, 1322 E. Main street, yesterday afternoon in time to get to the Michigan Central terminal to work on the 4 to 12 o'clock shift, he was apparently in his usual health.  About 8:30, as he was engaged in work in the clinker pit knocking fires, he complained of feeling ill, and fellow workmen advised him to rest for a time.  About 9 o'clock he suddenly became more seriously ill, but was able to walk into the roundhouse offices to await an ambulance to take him home or to the hospital. When it was realized that he had suffered a stroke of paralysis affecting the entire right side, he was rushed to the hospital. He soon lost his sense of speech and lapsed into unconsciousness from which he did not rally.
    Mr. Smiedendorf had been a resident of Niles for more than 2 years having come here after serving in the  World war with the navy. He was born in Michigan City on Jan. 31, 1897 and last Sunday his birthday anniversary was observed by the family.  He entered the employ of the Michigan Central railroad company in Michigan City as a mechanic's helper.  When the World war came he enlisted in the navy, and after returning from service he re-entered the railroad company's employ in the same capacity.  For the last few months he had been otherwise employed by the railroad comapny owing to adjustments in the crews of workmen.
    Mr. Smiedendorf is survived by his mother, Mrs. Augusta Smiedendorf, two sisters, Marie, of Niles, and Mrs. Oliver Olson, of South Bend, and one brother, Wilford, a Niles high school student.  The father of the deceased, William Smiedendorf died in Niles on April 18, 1928, at the age of 56 years.  He, too, suffered a stroke of paralysis but the stroke followed on illness. He also was a Michigan Central railroad employe for many years in Michigan City and in Niles, the family having moved here when the Michigan Central terminal years were opened.
    . . . . [illegible] . . .
    The funeral plans are not completed.
* * *
Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 5, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Friends who wish to view the body of Arhtur[sic] Smiedendorf may call at the Troost and Augustine chapel until the hour of the funeral services. The services will be held at 1:30 in the Troost and Augustine chapel and at 2 o'clock in the St. Paul's Lutheran church at Ferry and Seventh streets.  Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.
* * *
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 6, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL A. SMIEDENDORF

    Funeral services for Arthur Smiedendorf, son of Mrs. Augusta Smiedendorf, 1632 E. Main street, were held this afternoon in St.  Paul's Lutheran church. The pastor, the Rev. Theodore Leasch officiated. Michigan Central fellow employes of the the deceased, and members of the LaRue Messenger post fo the American Legion of which he was a member were pallbearers. Burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Wynn, Charlotte (Ford)

editor Obituaries January 14, 2011
Charlotte Ford Wynn
Nov. 13, 1846-Feb. 5, 1932


MRS. CHARLOTTE WYNN DIES AT 10TH ST. HOME
Passes Away at Residence of Daughter Late Friday Afternoon

    Mrs. Charlotte Ford Wynn, 85, died at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edwin Bair, 13 S. Tenth street, a home in which representatives of four generations of her family have lived for years, the representatives of the four generations were Mrs. Wynn, her daughter, Mrs. Bair, the latter's son, Earl, and his daughter, Helen Jean.  The latter is today observing her 11th birthday anniversary.
    Mrs. Wynn had been confined to her bed for one week prior to her death with afflictions attendant upon advanced years.  She was born in Byron, New York on Nov. 13, 1846. She was brought to Michigan by her parents when she was a little girl and had always since resided in this vicinity.  She is survived by her daughter Mrs. Bair, by one son, Charles Adams of Niles, by six grandchildren, who are Dorothy, Doris, Katherine and Edgar Adams, and Earl Bair of Niles and Mrs. Frank Warner of Mackinac City, and one great granddaughter, Helen Jean Bair, of Niles.  Mrs. Wynn was the last of a family of 12 children.  She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church for many years.  She was also a member of the class in the Sunday school of that church taught by Mrs. W.H. Bullard.
    The funeral services will be held on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost & Augustine chapel. The Rev. C.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call in the home until early Monday afternoon to view the body.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, February 6, 1932, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Winn, John J.

editor Obituaries January 14, 2011
John J. Winn
Feb. 17, 1870-May 1, 1940


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 2, 1940, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


John J. Winn, 70, Supervisor From 3rd Ward, is Dead

    John J. Winn, 70, Third ward Democratic supervisor for nine years and former supervisor from Niles Township, died Wednesday night at 8:30 in his home, 116 South Fourth Street.
    Mr. Winn had been seriously ill two weeks but had been in failing health for the past year.  He was dean of Niles supervisors on the county board.  His death leaves a vacancy to be filled by the city council.
    A native of this community, he was born at the Winn home in the Bend of the River district Feb. 17, 1870.  He was the son of the late John and Fannie Foster Winn, prominent residents of the Bend of the River community.
    Mr. and Mrs. Winn left the farm in Niles township about 10 years ago.  At that time he retired from farming and devoted his energies to his work on the county board and as auctioneer.
    Prior to moving to Niles he had served several years as Niles township supervisor, also holding offices of township clerk and treasurer.  He was active in the Niles Masonic lodge and affiliated with the Methodist church.
    Surviving are his wife, Pauline; a daughter, Mrs. Clayton McCoy, and a granddaughter, Marilyn McCoy, of Niles.  He was married to Mrs. Winn, the former Pauline Graham, of Niles, 41 years ago.
    Services will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 in the Methodist church.  The body will in state from 1:30 until the hour of the service.  The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook. Friends of the family may call at the Winn home.
 * * *
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 4, 1940, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Officials Attend Services Today for John J. Winn

    Friends and neighbors of John J. Winn from Niles and the Bend of the River district were casket bearers at the services today in the Methodist church.
    Throngs of friends and associates filled the church where Mr. Winn's body lay in state from 1:30 to 3.  Among them were the board of supervisors, the city officials and other groups with whom he had been associated during his career of public service.
    The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster officiated at the service this afternoon.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetry. The pallbearers were Fred Franz, James Patterson, Fred Tichenor, Thomas Cain and Malcolm Hatfield.

Winn, George Foster

editor Obituaries January 14, 2011
George Foster Winn
June 20, 1867-Aug. 2, 1931

GEORGE F. WINN, 64, NILES TWP. FARMER IS TAKEN BY DEATH

    George Foster Winn, 64, died on Saturday evening in his home, four miles north and west in Niles township where he had resided for his entire life.  Mr. Winn had been in ill health for four weeks but his condition had not been considered serious.
    Mr. Winn was born on June 20, 1867, a son of John Winn and Fanny Winn, the latter a daughter of George Foster, Sr.,  one of the oldest settlers of this section.  Mr. Winn was married to Elizabeth Wynn, a daughter of Morgan Wynn, deceased, on June 29, 1892.  To them were born a son, Lester F., who met a tragic death in 1916, also a daughter, Mrs. Olin Steinbauer, who resides on a farm near her old home.
    Mr. Winn had held many offices of trust. He was treasurer of Niles township for four years and at the time of his death was highway commissioner of that township.  He was a charter member of the Bend of the River grange and had held the office of treasurer of the grange for 14 years.  He was one of the highly respected citizens of the community.
    Surviving him are his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Olin Stienbauer, and brother, John Winn, of Niles.
    The funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon in the family home at 2:30 fast time.  Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 4, 1931,  page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Marazita, Brandon

editor Obituaries January 14, 2011

Brandon Marazita, 20
Sept. 19, 1990 — Jan. 11, 2011

Brandon Marazita, 20, of Reynolds Street, Niles, died at 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011 at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka following an extended illness.
Brandon Marazita, 20

He was born Sept. 19, 1990 in South Bend to John and Kimberly A. (Messenger) Marazita, Jr. He attended Brandywine High School in Niles and was a lifetime resident of the area. He was employed for more than four years at Pete’s Marathon in Niles; owned and operated Brandon’s Metal Recycling in Niles; and was employed at Performance Graphics in Elkhart, Ind.

Brandon was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, restoring automobiles and was an avid NASCAR fan, especially of the driver of the No. 24 car, Jeff Gordon.

He is survived by his parents, John and Kim Marazita of Niles; sisters and brothers, Crystal (Brandon) Clubb of Niles, John (Claude) Marazita II of East Lansing, Mich., Cassie Lynn Marazita and Wayne Marazita, both of Niles; maternal grandmother, Linda Messenger Bowlin, and paternal grandmother, Irene M. (Van Vynckt) Marazita, both of Niles; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and a fiancee, Chelsea N. McBain of Niles.

He was preceded in death by maternal great-grandfather, Ferman Turner, who died July 3, 2001; maternal grandfather, LaMarr Messenger, who died Jan. 11, 2000; and paternal grandfather, John Marazita, Sr., who died Dec. 25, 2000.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Brandon Marazita will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011 at St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles with the Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C., of the church officiating.

Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Brandon may be made to the Brandon Marazita Memorial Fund at First Source Bank of Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Published 10:25pm Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Young, Charles P.

editor Obituaries January 13, 2011
Charles P. Young
March 12, 1868-Feb. 1, 1932


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 3, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


C.P. YOUNG RITES HERE THURSDAY


    Funeral services for Charles P. Young, of Niles, will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon in Troost & Augustine chapel, it was announced today.  The Rev. Hogan, of the Bertrand Community church will preside.  Mr. Young was born March 12, 1868, at Cedar Valley, O.  He leaves a son, Paul, who lives east of Niles. He will be buried here in the Silverbrook cemetery. Foreman of the bridge building department of the Michigan Central railway company, Mr. Young had been in the service of the firm for many years. He was stricken suddenly Monday while in a Chicago railway station, and the body was brought to NIles yesterday by the son, who motored to Chicago with the undertaker.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, February 4, 1932, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

    Funeral services for Charles Young were held this afternoon.  The Rev. William Hogan, pastor of Bertrand Community church officiated. Burial was made in Silver brook Cemetery.  Mr. Young, a Michigan Central railroad employe, died suddenly while in the Michigan Central station in Chicago.

Tillotson, Carolyn P.

editor Obituaries January 13, 2011

Miss Carolyn P. Tillotson
1870-1909


Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, November 17, 1909, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS C.P. TILLOTSON
Niles Nurse Succumbs to Operation at Utica, N.Y.


    The death of Miss Carolyn P. Tillotson occurred at 2 o'clock this morning at Faxton Hospital, Utica, N.Y. [following on operation on] Nov. 6th, inst.
    Miss Tillotson left for Utica two weeks ago today, accompanied by her mother and her sister, Mrs. John Millen, of Duluth, with the expectation that an operation would be resorted to to relieve long standing physical suffering.
    Another sister, Mrs. V.A. Lacy, of Yale, Mich., went to Utica a few days later and her father, W.I. Tillotson, arrived yesterday at the bedside of his daughter, in time to secure a parting recognition.
    Miss Tillotson went to Faxton Hospital because she had graduated there and besides her love for the institution itself she had great confidence in Dr. Glass, the surgeon who performed the operation upon her.  Dr. Glass is an eminent surgeon of long experience. But all his skill was useless, and neither surgeon nor the best of hospital services availed to stay the hand of death.
    Miss Tillotson was born at Oneida, N.Y. where she spent her girlhood.  She qualified for a public school teacher and taught in Michigan, later taking a course at Faxton Hospital in Utica. She engaged in general nursing in Utica until her health failed and she came to Niles, and for a year before establishing the Niles Private Hospital made her home with her sister, Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam.
    She was devoted to her profession and many suffering with physical ailments have been skillfully ministered to at this hospital, which was a success from the start.
    To do good, to relieve human suffering, if it were within her power, was more to her than any mere pecuniary rewards, and she nursed the sick because her heart was in the work.
    Miss Tillotson had no social aspirations, but had made many friends since coming to Niles. She was a member of the Eastern Star and hers is the first death in the membership of the Niles Chapter since its organization seven years ago.
    Miss Tillotson was a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Oneida, N.Y.
    The interment will take place in Niles at Silver Brook cemetery.
    The remains will arrive at noon tomorrow from the east and will be conveyed to the home of her sister, Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam, where the services will be held, probably on Friday, the Rev. Geo. W. Huntington of Trinity officiating.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, November 17, 1909, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MISS CAROLYN P. TILLOTSON
Passed Away Early This Morning at Utica, N.Y.


    Miss Carolyn P.  Tillotson passed away this morning at 2 o'clock at Faxton Hosptial, Utica, N.Y., where she underwent an operation a week ago last Saturday. It was her desire to return to this institution, from where she was graduated in 1901, and where she afterwards served as a member of the staff of nurses. She was placed under the skillful hands of an old friend, Dr. Glass, one of the most noted surgeons of the country, but skill and science and the heroic care of devoted nurses were unavailing. She failed to rally from the shock and the end had been expected for several days. Her father and mother, sisters and old friends were near when death came.
    Miss Tillotson was born in Oneida, N.Y., where she spent her girlhood days. After graduating from High school, she took a State Regent's course and taught for a while in Michigan, later taking a four years' course at Faxton Hospital, remaining there until her health failed.  She then came to Niles, residing with her sister, Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam for a years, after which she opened the Niles Private hospital, which she had conducted successfully for the past four years.  Heart and soul were devoted to her noble work and untold good was accomplished by her. Her acts of charity were numberless, working privately and in conjunction with the Ladies' Charity society.  Many in Niles and vicinity, in the east, and elsewhere, who have been brought back to health by her devoted care will receive the news of her passing away with great regret.  We cannot help but wonder why one who was accomplishing so much good and was so needed in the world had to be taken.
    The Order of the Eastern Star, of which Miss Tillotson was a member, is today mourning the first loss by death in its six years' organization.  Miss Tillotson was a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Oneida, N.Y.    
    The surviving relatives are the father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Tillotson of this city and three sisters, Mrs. John Millen of Duluth; Mrs. Geo. E. Gillam of this city and Mrs. V.A. Lacey of Yale.
    The remains will arrive here at noon tomorrow and will be taken to the home of Geo. E. Gillam on Oak street, where services will be conducted Friday afternoon by Rev. Geo. N. Huntington of Trinity church, at an hour which will be announced tomorrow.

  1. Tillotson, Carrie H. (Bowen)
  2. Harrington, Catherine (Ausmus)
  3. Dubert, Bertha
  4. Howard, Mattie (Love)

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