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.

Larimore, J.C.

J.C. Larimore
May 1807-December 24, 1891


Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, December 24, 1891, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

An Old Niles Resident Passes Away in Chicago at an Early Hour this Morning

    A telegram to H. M. Dean from Mr. F. M. Gray, received a few hours ago, announced that Mr. J.C. Larimore died in Chicago at five o'clock this morning.  The tidings of his decease was not a surprise to those of his friends who had known of the rapid failure of his strength and vitality during the few weeks that he had spent in Chicago.  Nevertheless it came as a shock, especially to the few that remain of the band of early settlers, who a half century ago worked shoulder to shoulder to lay deep and broad the foundations of this  goodly commonwealth, which is our priceless heritage.  And it is to the men of intelligence, deep religious principle, firm moral and physical courage and unflinching integrity, such as was Mr. Larimore, that we are indebted for the present high moral and religious tone of our society today.
    Mr. Larimore was a native of Ohio, and was born at Steubenville in May 1807.  He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson and removed to Niles in the spring of 1834.  His first business venture was in a dry goods store, but in 1838 he purchased a stock of drugs and continued in the drug business until the fall of 1883, when he sold his interest to J. M. Dean, who had been associated with him as clerk and partner for upwards of 33 years.  As a business man he was conservative, exact and trustworthy, and no man could be more prompt in the discharge of his business obligations than he was.
    The death of Mrs. Larimore about 1854 left him with a son and three daughters. Later he married Mrs. Bassett, who died in 1883, leaving a son and daughter.  Owing to his advanced years and repeated bereavements he sold out his business and devoted his time to the care of his private affairs.
    Mr. Larimore was a man of firm religious convictions and was from youth a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years he almost carried the Church here upon his shoulders.  He was a ruling Elder for 40 years and was treasurer of the church for about as long a time.  He gave liberally of his means for its support and his presence and voice were seen and heard in the social meetings of the church as long as his health permitted.
    Aside from the years of his own affairs he was for many years president of the Citizens Nat. Bank, treas'r of the Niles Paper Co., Secretary of the Gas Light Co., and held other positions satisfactorily.  Of late years the associates of early life have passed away, and he made no effort to form new attachments, so when his daughter moved with her husband, Dr. F. C. Ford, to Chicago a few weeks ago, he felt that he must be with them, and to the surprise of his friends here he became for the time  a citizen of that city.
    He leaves two sons, James W. and Charles T. both being in Chicago, and three daughters, Mrs. F. N. Gray, of this city, Mrs. Gussie Fenn, of Cleveland, and Mrs. Ford; a grandson, only child of his daughter Kate, residing in Minneapolis, Minn.

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 30, 1891, page 1, col. 3, reprinted from Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 24, 1891, microfilm Niles District Library

Death of J.O. Larimore
From the Daily Star of Thursday

    A telegram to H.M. Dean, from F. M. Gray, brings tidings of the death of Mr. J. C. Larimore, who died at Chicago at 5 o'clock this morning.
    The parents of Mr. Larimore were born in central Pennsylvania, and resided for some years in Washington county, from whence, in 1802, they removed to Steubenville, Ohio. Here the father engaged in the sale of general merchandise for a time, but aftewards[sic] added to his business the manufacture of cotton goods.  He also held the office of postmaster for about thirty years.  In this village the son was born, and here he remained until early manhood.  He attended the village school, and afterwards prosecuted the study of the languages, under the tuition of Rev. George Buchanan, and completed his studies at the academy in his native place.  But it was under the careful eye of his father and in association with  him that he acquired the strict business habits which have contributed to his success in life.  He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson, (for may[sic] years editor of the Western Herald, an able and influential Whig paper) and in 1834, while yet but a young man, he removed to Niles, Mich., where he engaged in the sale of dry goods until 1838, when he disposed of the business and established the drug store, which still continues, and which is reconized[sic] as one of the oldest and most reliable establishments in the state.  In 1860, he associated with him in the business Henry M. Dean (who for ten years had been in his employ as clerk) with bore the firm name of Larimore and Dean for a number of years.
    In disposition Mr. Larimore was conservative rather than aggressive but firm and decided in his opinions. In politics he was a Whig until the use of the Republican party, when he attached himself to it, sympathizing with the party in all its essential measures. He had no political aspirations, but accepted the appointment of postmaster at Niles under Gen. Harrison, which office he held until after the election of President Polk.  In religion he was by education and conviction a Presbyterian of the strictest stamp, and to his church he has ever given his aid and influence, while at the same time he has always been ready to extend the hand of sympathy and to fraternize heartily and sincerely with all sister denominations. For twenty-five years he was a ruling elder and for nearly thirty years the treasurer of the first Presbyterian church of this city.  In 1877 he was again reelected treasurer, but at his earnest solicitation he was permitted to decline the office.  In 1872 he aided to organize the First National Bank, and was its first vice-president, which office he resigned soon after to accept the presidency of the Citizens' National Bank to which position he was reelected a number of years.  In addition to his daily attention to the drug business and his duties as president of the bank he was also an officer or director of the Niles Gas Light Co., the Niles Paper Mill Co., the City and Village Insurance Co., etc.; and he has ever been ready to extend and aid his hearty co-operation to any and all enterprizes whose object was to advance the material interests of the city of his adoption.
    Mr. Larimore was married twice, his first wife dying a great many years ago, and the second wife, who was a Mrs. Bassett, died in 1883. In October 1883, he sold out his drug business to H. M. Dean & Son, since which time he has nothing but look after his outside business interests, and for the past three months has resided in Chicago with Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Ford.  He leaves two daughters and one son by his first wife and a daughter and son by his second wife.  Mr. Larimore would have been 85 years old had he lived until next May. He had been failing for some time. The remains are expected here this evening, when arrangements will be made for the funeral.

Boulton, Irving S.

Irving S. Boulton
January 30, 1910-July 22, 2004


Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 23, 2004, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Irving S. Boulton, 94, of North Philip Road, Niles, died Thursday, July 22, at Lakeland Hospital, Niles, of unexpected causes.
    Arrangements are pending and being completed by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, July 24, 2004, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Irving Stanley Boulton, 94, of North Phillip Road, Niles, passed away at Lakeland Medical Center, Niles on Thursday, July 22, 2004 at 10:30 a.m. unexpectedly, but of natural causes.
    He was born on January 30, 1910 in Niles to Horace and Lucy (Peters) Boulton.  Irving was a lifetime resident of Niles and graduated from Niles High School in 1928.  He graduated from the College of Commerce in Business Administration of South Bend, Ind. in 1929 and joined the Oliver Corporation on June 6, 1929 in their sales division.  He held many management positions throughout his career with Oliver's and through the merger with White Motor Company.  He retired from the Corporate Office in Chicago as Director of Purchasing in 1970.
    Mr. Boulton was very active in the First Baptist Church where he and his wife, Gladys (Williams) who died December 22, 2001 after 67 years of marriage, joined the church in 1925 as teenagers and were the longest members on the current membership role. He held many positions in the church throughout the years.  He was a founding member of the Two-by-two Sunday School Class.
    He enjoyed and took pride in his yard on Phillip Road.
    He is survived by: their daughter Marlene (Donald) Vandenburg, Niles; and son Norman (Fay) Boulton, Phoenix, Ariz. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Steven Vandenburg, Niles; Michael (Christine) Vandenburg, Granger, Ind.; Lisa Vandenburg (Norman) Sawards, Canton, Conn.; Denise Bouton (Roger) Sparks, Norlina, N.C.; and Mary Moore, Winston-Salem, N.C.
    He was preceded in death by is parents' infant son, Warren; and infant twin daughters Mary and Marie; brother Leslie; and infant great granddaughter, Alexandra Vanderburg.
    Funeral services for Mr. Boulton will be held at the First Baptist Chruch on Monday, July 26 at 11 a.m. with Rev. John Schindler, interim pastor and Rev. Henry Miller, Deer Creek, Ill., officiating.
    Burial and committal services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Visitation will be at halbritter Funeral Home from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Contributions in memory of Mr. Boulton may be made to the First Baptist Church Fund.

Boulton, Leslie H.

Leslie H. Bolton
Nov. 24, 1903-January 30, 1984


    Leslie H. Bouton, 80, of 1420 N. Front St., Niles, died at 4 pm. Monday at his home following a brief illness.
    He was a member of the First Baptist Church and had retired from Kawneer in 1966.  He was born Nov. 24, 1903 in Niles and had lived his lifetime here.
    He married Viola A. Ream on June 11, 1930 in Niles and she preceded him in death on June 16, 1977.
    Surviving is a brother, Irving S. Boulton of Niles.
    Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.  Rev Ray C. Cunningham of the First Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m.  and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home.  Memorials may be given to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, February 1, 1984, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Boulton, Lucy

Mrs. Horace (Lucy) Boulton
January 18, 1881-October 22, 1957


    Mrs. Horace Boulton, 76, of 117 North 10th Street, died this morning at 3:45 a.m. in Pawating Hospital.
    She was born in Chicago on January 18, 1881, and came to Niles from there 56 years ago.  Her husband died in 1936.  She was a member of the Shakespeare Club.
    Surviving are two sons, Leslie and Irving, both of Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Whitney Norton, Oak Park, Ill.; and Mrs. Amanda Obergfell, River Forest, Ill., and two grandchildren.
    The body was taken to the Pifer Funeral Home where funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m.  The Rev. Earl Wickstrom, of the First Baptist Church will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.


(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 22, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Kingston, Daniel L.

Daniel L.  Kingston
September 20, 1880-August 8, 1954


Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 9, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Daniel L. Kingston, 73

    Daniel L. Kingston, 1308 Broadway, a retired engineer for the New York Central railroad died at 2:45 a.m. Sunday at the United Memorial Hospital at Greenville, Mich.  He had been ill for one week.
    Kingston was born in Niles on Sept. 20, 1880.  He lived in Niles his entire life.  Following his retirement from the railroad he served as a police school guard.  He was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, F. & A.M., and the Pioneer Association of the Michigan Central Railroad.
    Survivors include the wife, Lulah, three children, Mrs. Georgianna Starr of Akron, O., Mrs. Earl Minnear and Mrs Theodore Wienke of Niles; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and a brother, Charles H. Kingston of Spooner, Wis.
    Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home after 7 p.m. tonight.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. , Wednesday at the Kiger funeral home with the Rev.  L. George Beacock officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Meile, John A.

John A. Meile
Jan. 1, 1922-January 16, 2004

    Funeral services for John A. Meile, 82, of Marion Street in Niles, are Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home with the Rev. Franklin P. Schuster, III of Trinity Episcopal Church officiating.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Meile died on Friday at 8:40 pm. at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center.
    He was born on Jan. 1, 1922 in Buchanan.  On Oct. 4, 1947 in Niles, he was married to Jacqueline Langston, who survives.
    Meile lived most of his life in Niles.  He retired in 1984 after several years at Niles Steel Tank. He was a member of the Church of God in Buchanan, the NRA and was a former employee of the City of Niles at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
    Meile was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II.
    Survivors include his wife, Jackie; two daughters, Jennie A. Coulston of Niles and Julie Austin of Knoxville, Tenn.; a twin sister, Alice Colcord of Niles.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Walter Meile.
    Visitation will be Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service or Trinity Episcopal Church.
    Funeral arrangements were handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.

Souce: Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 19, 2004, page 2, col. 1; microfilm Niles District Library

Calvert, Sarajane "Sally" (Fuson)

Sarajane Calvert, 96
Feb. 1, 1914 – June 13, 2010

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:39pm Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sarajane “Sally” Fuson Calvert, 96, of State Line Road and formerly of Fulkerson Road in Niles died at 5 a.m. Sunday, June 13, 2010 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

Mrs. Calvert was born Feb. 1, 1914 in Mishawaka to Paul S. and Mary Louise (Kenyon) Fuson. She graduated from Mishawaka High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bethel College, and continued her post-graduate work at Western Michigan University and Michigan State University. Sally was a resident of Niles for 70 years. She retired after 15 years of teaching from the Brandywine School District.

Sally was a member of Redeemer Missionary Church. She was also a member of Christian Women’s Club, Bertrand Home Economics Club and the Rebecca Dewey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

On Nov. 20, 1937, she married Hamilton E. Carter, with whom she celebrated 56 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on April 19, 1993.

Mrs. Calvert was also preceded in death by her daughter, Pamela Barcenas-Austin, who died Oct. 28, 2003; parents; six brothers; and a sister.

She is survived by her daughter, Penelope A. (Robert) Thompson, of Las Vegas; granddaughter, Kimberly (Emmet) Christy-Roache; grandson, Zane Patrick Roache, both of Tuscon, Ariz.; son, Hamilton E. “Buzz” (Darlene) Calvert Jr., of Niles; Darlene’s son, Ryan Linde, of Saint Louise, Mo.; and daughter, Jaime (Jeff) Noland, of Niles, whose children, Jenna and Jayla Noland, lovingly called her “G.G.” for “Great-Grandma.”

Services for Sarajane “Sally” Fuson Calvert will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010 at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Pastor Jan Van Lear, of Buchanan officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Sally may be made to American Cancer Society for Relay for Life.