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.

Schmidt, Fred C.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 23, 2010

Fred C. Schmidt
April 1858-September 17, 1931

FRED C. SCHMIDT, 73, PIONEER MERCHANT, IS TAKEN BY DEATH
Passes Away After Operation on Limb about a Week Ago

   Death removed a pioneer resident and business man of Niles today when Fred C. Schmidt, 73, died at 11:30 at Pawating hospital where on last Sunday he had an operation for the amputation of his right leg at the knee. Complications arising from an injury sustained nearly 25 years ago started an infection in his leg and the operation was resorted to in an effort to arrest the infection. However, Mr. Schmidt's condition had been considered critical since the operation, and on account of his weakened condition he was never advised of the nature of the [illegible].
   Fred C. Schmidt was born in Germany on April 1858, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Schmidt. When he was but three years of age his parents left Germany and came to America, locating in Niles, his father becoming a pioneer butcher and retail meat dealer. His sons, Charles and Fred, were associated with him in the meat business as they grew to young manhood and eventually Fred C. Schmidt launched into business for himself, engaging in the retail meat business and later being associated with his son, Karl R. Schmidt in the wholesale meat business under the name of the Schmidt Packing House company, and was so engaged until his last illness.
   Fred C. Schmidt's marriage to Carrie Ives, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Ives, the former a pioneer photographer, united two of Niles oldest families. Mrs. Schmidt died in 1925.
   Surviving Mr. Schmidt are two sons and four daughters who are Dr. Harry Schmidt, Mrs. Bion East and Mrs. Donald Noble of Detroit, Karl R. Schmidt, Mrs. George I. Vetter, and Mrs. Jack Young of Niles. The following brothers and sisters also survive: Will Schmidt, Portland, Ore., Herman Schmidt of New York City, Mrs. Rudolph Elbel of South Bend and Mrs. Warren Griffith of Los Angeles, Calif.
   Mr. Schmidt was active in city affairs, having served as an alderman, and a member of the board of education, and also was the choice of his party at one election for the office of mayor.
   Mr. Schmitdt found a great delight in fishing and for many years had a cottage at Birch Lake where he and his friends gathered frequently throughout the fishing seasons.
   Fraternally he was identified with Niles Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar.
   It is planned to hold the funeral services in the home at Broadway and Third streets on Saturday afternoon. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery. The services will be under Masonic auspices.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1931, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Winlack, James

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 23, 2010

James Winlack
March 23, 1885-March 11, 1932

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 11, 1932, page 1, col. 6.

JAMES WINLACK, 47, STRICKEN SUDDENLY
Passes Away After Returning From Visit at Friend's Home

   James Winlack, 47, a resident of Niles for 17 years, died this morning about 2:30 in his home, 1337 Maple street after a few hours of illness. Mr. and Mrs. Winlack had spent the evening in the home of friends and when Mr. Winlack complained of not feeling well he was taken to his home. His condition showed an improvement later in the evening and he retired. About 2 o'clock he suddenly became alarmingly ill and by the time Mrs. Winlack had returned home after going to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Volkhardt, two doors away to summon a doctor he was unconscious and although the physician applied restoratives he did not regain consciousnness[sic].
   Mr. Winlack was born in Chicago on March 23, 1885, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Winlack, now deceased. His father was for many years an employe of the National Printing and Engraving company in Chicago and in Niles, until he was retired on account of ill health. James Winlack was for several years paymaster for the Michigan Central Railway company in Niles. Of late he has been in the employe of Simplicity Pattern company as shipping clerk.
   Surviving is a widow, Mrs. Blanche Winlack, formerly Blanch Stultz to whom he was married five years ago, by a son, Donald, of Los Angeles, Calif., born of Mr. Winlack's first marriage, by a stepson, Jack Chubb, a niece, Mrs. Christine Turner McKay, of Port Huron, and a nephew, Clarence Turner. Miss Nettie Sheffield, of Chicago, is an aunt.
   The funeral plans are not completed pending the arrival of the son of the deceased who has wired he will leave Los Angeles today for Niles. The body is at the Rutherford Funeral Home. The funeral services probably will not be held before next Thursday.

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 14, 1932, page 4, col. 1.

FUNERAL PLANS DELAYED

   Word was received in Niles today at noon from Donald Winlack who is on his way to Niles from Los Angeles, Calif., on account of the death of his father, James Winlack that he will arrive in Niles tomorrow. Funeral plans will not be completed until he reaches Niles.

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 16, 1932, page 4, col. 1.

FUNERAL JAMES WINLACK

   Funeral plans for James Winlack who died last Friday morning and which have been held in abeyance pending the arrival of Donald Winlack, a son of the deceased, from Los Angeles, Calif., were completed today. The services will be held in the Rutherford Funeral Home at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. The services will be under Masonic auspices with the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church as the officiating minister. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)

White, William J.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 23, 2010

W.J. White
Died September 15, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 16,1931, page 4, col. 3.

W. J. WHITE DIES

. . . on Fifth street at 11:30 o'clock last night after a prolonged illness. He was confined to his bed only a short time. He is survived by his wife and only son, W.A. White, one brother, A.J. White, of Oxford, Ind., and a nephew, P.L. White. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon from the Troost and Augustine Funeral Home. Rev. Guy W. Simon will officiate.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 18, 1931, page 4, col. 1

FUNERAL W.J. WHITE

Funeral services for William J. White, 614 South Fifth street, were conducted this afternoon by the Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. White died on Tuesday evening after a prolonged illness.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)

Keech, Merton

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 23, 2010

Merton "Mike" Keech
Died September 16, 1931

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 16, 1931, page 4, col. 2

MAN IS FOUND DEAD

Merton (Mike) Keech, 66, was found dead at 9:30 o'clock this morning in the bathroom of his boarding house at 521 Cedar street. A sudden heart attack is thought to have caused his death, which occurred probably three hours before the body was discovered. His step-niece, Mrs. N.S. Oaks, residing three miles northeast of Niles on M-40, with whom he had lived for four years until a month ago when he moved into Niles, was summoned, but no funeral arrangements were made. Keech returned from Chicago yesterday where he had been in search of employment and to visit with friends. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Eagles. A daughter, Mrs. Bertha Johnson of Central City, Neb., a niece, Mrs. Cleo Miltonberger, of Niles, a half-sister, Mrs. P.M. McClaughry, of Chicago, and Mrs. Oaks survive him. He was divorced several years ago. The body is at the Rutherford Funeral home, having been taken there at the direction of Mr. Miltonberger.

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1931, page 4, col. 3

DAUGHTER OF M. KEECH HERE

Plans for the funeral services for Merton Keech, 66, who was found dead in the home at 521 Cedar street, yesterday morning, will be delayed until a daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, arrives from Center City, Neb. M.A. Rutherford was advised by telegram today that Mrs. Johnson expected to reach Niles early this afternoon to make the funeral plans.

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 18, 1931, page 4, col. 1

Funeral services for Merton Keech were held this morning. The services were in charge of officers of the Niles aerie of Eagles. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery. Mr. Keech was found dead in the bathroom of the house at 521 Cedar street on Wednesday, having suffered a heart attack. A daughter, Mrs. Bertha Johnson, of Center City, Neb., arrived in Niles yesterday and made the funeral plans.

(Source: Microfilm Niles District Library)

Miller, David

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 22, 2010

David Miller
Sept. 10, 1934-May 5, 1988

   David Miller, 53, 1364 Eagle St., Niles, died Thursday, May 5, at 3:30 a.m. at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind.,
   He was born Sept. 10, 1934 in Niles and was a lifelong resident of Niles. He was a member of the Teamster's Retiree Association, the Michigan Sheriff's Association and was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was employed as a truck driver with Associated Truck Lines.
   He married the former Jo Ann Dunahee Sept. 29, 1953 in Niles. She survives.
   Other survivors include: three sons, Gary of Charlotte, Michael and David of Niles; two daughters, Stacey Ann Lintz and Helen Miller of Niles; six grandchildren; and three sisters, Vera Coleman and Trudy Petersen of Niles and Loretta Unger of Edwardsburg.
   Services are Monday at 11 a.m. at the First Assembly of God, where the Rev. Paul Fisher will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
   Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God, Niles.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 7, 1988, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Saathoff, William

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 21, 2010

William Saathoff
March 29, 1884-October 22, 1954

William Saathoff, Prominent Businessman, Dies Today at 70

   William Saathoff, 70, of 1319 Hickory street, veteran Niles dairy operator and businessman, died at 12:08 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital after a nine-week illness.
   Owner and operator of United Dairies, he has been in the dairy business here since 1925.
   Born March 29, 1884 at Walshville, Ill., he came here from Staunton, Ill. March 29 1925, and purchased the Forburger Dairy. The next year he purchased the Hunter Co. Dairy and operated them as City Dairy.
   In 1949, he purchased the Niles Creamery and the consolidated firms became the United Dairies.
   He was named a director of the First National Bank when it was re-organized in August, 1933. Saathoff was one of the founders of the Niles Credit Assn. which was formed in 1927 and has been member of the association's board of directors since that time.
   He is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the South Bend Milk Council for many years.
   Saathoff also is a past president of the local Lions Club and member of the St. Joseph Valley Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 4, White Shrine, Masonic Consistory, Eastern Star, Niles-Cass Shrine Club, Grand Rapids Shrine and Niles BPO Elks Lodge.
   He married Lena Highlander in July, 1909. She died in November, 1949. He married Betty Mallot in July, 1950. She survives.
   Other survivors are a son Arthur Saathoff, of Niles; two step-daughters, Mrs. Ted Bakeman of Fort Riley, Kan., and Mrs. Kenneth Krichner, Elkhart, Ind.; five grandchildren; three brothers, Walter Saathoff of Niles, Henry Saathoff, Litchfield, Ill. and George Saathoff, Monrovia, Calif., and one sister, Mrs. Everett Lowe of Litchfield, Ill.
   [Illegible] services at 3 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Chruch. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Bearers will be employes of United Dairies.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, October 22, 1954, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Garnhart, Daniel R.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries October 21, 2010

Daniel Garnhart
January 17, 1880-October 26, 1954

   Daniel Raymond Garnhart, 251 Bond street, died at 7:10 pm. Tuesday in Pawating Hospital. He was been ill since last February.
   Surviving are his wife, Mary; one daughter, Mrs. Harry W. Stover, of Marshall; one grandchild and two great-grandchildren; a brother, Samuel, of Stillman Valley, Ill., and one sister, Miss Katherine Garnhart, of Stillman.
   Garnhart was born on Jan. 17, 1889, in Duart, Pa., and came here from Holcomb, Ill., 30 years ago.
   Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, Presbyterian pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 27, 1954, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

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