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.

Spenner, Ida Minnie

Ida Minnie Spenner
December 16, 1888-May13, 1978


NILES--Mrs. Ida Minnie Spenner, 89, of 716 Cass St., died at 2:10 a.m. Saturday at Pawating Hospital, following a brief illness.
    She was born Dec. 16, 1888 in Medaryville, Ind., and came to Niles in 1920 from North Judson, Ind. She was a homemaker.
    In April, 1914, in North Judson, whe[sic] married August W. Spenner, who died in August, 1960.
    Survivors include a son, Arthur of Berrien Springs; two daughters, Mrs. Herbert (Leona) Stelter of Buchanan, and Mrs. Murray (Edna) Parker of Niles; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
    Funeral services will be at 1: 30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Theodore Laesch officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends are calling at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home.
    Mrs. Spenner was a member of the Ladies Aid of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 15, 1978, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library)

Kocher, Mary

Mary Kocher
November 14, 1897-July 11, 1938


MRS. FRED KOCHER, 40, IS STRICKEN
Dies Today at Pawating; Plans for Funeral Incomplete

    Mrs. Mary Kocher, 40, wife of Fred Kocher, 1618 Michigan street, a life-long resident of Niles, died at 12:30 o'clock this afternoon in Pawating hospital.
    Survivors include her husband, Fred Kocher, whom she married July 25, 1915, in Cassopolis, and five daughters--Margaret, Dorothy, Ruth, Phyllis, and Donna Mae, all at home.
    Others are her mother, Mrs. Mary Goldfuss, Niles; two brothers, George Goldfuss, Niles, and Frank Goldfuss, Elkhart; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Williams and Mrs. Irene Jarue, Niles; three stepbrothers, Henry Kaiser and Fred Goldfuss, Niles, and Clyde Goldfuss, Canton, O., and a stepsister, Mrs. Nora Dodd, Chicago.
    Mrs. Kocher was born Nov., 14, 1897.  A son, Fred, Jr. died Aug. 30, 1937.
    Friends may call at the Rutherford funeral home tonight and at the Kocher home from Tuesday afternoon.  Services arrangements are incomplete.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 11, 1938, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, Parker

Parker Marrs
October 14, 1827-April 29, 1910


PARKER MARRS DEAD

    Parker Marrs, a pioneer and highly respected resdent, passed away at 3 o'clock this afternoon at his home on north Fourth street, aged 83 years.  His death resulted from a complication of diseases.
    Besides a widow, three children survive, Myron and Miss Flora Marrs of Niles and Irving Marrs who resides in Texas.
    A more extended obituary will  be given tomorrow.

(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Friday, April 29, 1910, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

PARKER MARRS A PIONEER
Of This Section Was 83 Years Old

    Parker Marrs, who passed away Friday afternoon at his home on Fourth street was born in Cabel county, West Virginia, Oct. 14, 1827.  He came to Michigan at the age of 20 years and had since resided here.
    Mr. Marrs was married to Miss Dorcas Hass of Cass county Feb. 19, 1852, and last February the fifty-eight anniversary of the event was celebrated in this city.
    Besides the widow, three children are left to mourn Mr. Marr's death.  They are Myron Marrs who resides north of Niles, Miss Flora B. Marrs who resides at home and Irving Marrs of Running Water, Texas.
    Mr. Marrs chosen occupation was farming and he spent practically his entire life in this pursuit until five years ago when he came to Niles to reside.
    Mr. Marrs' had no aspirations for political offices and devoted almost his entire time to his farming interests.  He was recognized as a successful farmer and was highly esteemed throughout the community where he has resided for many years.
    The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the late residence.

(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, April 30, 1910, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, Dorcas (Hass)

Dorcas (Hass) Marrs
February 6, 1834-June 8, 1911


MRS. PARKER MARRS
Pioneer Resident of this Section Died Last Evening

    Mrs. Dorcas Hass Marrs, widow of the late Parker Marrs passed away about 7 o'clock last evening at her home on north Fourth street after an illness of over two years from Bright's disease, during which time she has been an almost helpless invalid.
    Mrs. Marrs was the only child of Henry Marrs[sic] and was born at Lagrange Prairie, Cass county, Feb. 6, 1834.
    Feb 19, 1852 she was married to Parker Marrs and had since resided in the country north of NIles near Crystal Springs until about six years ago when they moved to this city.
    Seven children were born to them of whom but two, Myron E., and Miss Flora Marrs survive their mother. One of the sons, Irving, died last November in Texas.
    The death of Mrs. Marrs removes a highly esteemed lady from the community and one who will long be remembered for her gracious deeds and kindnesses by many life long acquaintenances and true friends.
    The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence, Rev. W.R. Yonker officiating.  The remains will be laid to rest at Silver brook cemetery besides those of her husband who died in April two years ago.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Friday, June 9, 1911, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

DEATH OF MRS. PARKER MARRS
Had Been Sick with Bright's Disease--Funeral Tomorrow

    Mrs. Parker Marrs, one of Berrien county's oldest residents, died at her home, 298 north Fourth street, last night at  7 o'clock, following a long siege of Bright's disease.  She was 77 years old
    Mrs. Marrs was born in Cass county and had since lived in this section.  She attended the country schools of her native county and was well educated.  She was fond of reading and, in fact, all things pertaining to literature. She was the widow of Parker Marrs, who died April 29, 1910.
    Mrs. Marrs is survived by a son and daughter, Myron Marrs of West Niles, and Miss Flora Marrs, who resided with her. She was a kind and grateful parent and hospitable to the poor and needy.  Because of these characteristics she became an estimable friend and had a large circle of admirers.
    The funeral will be held from the residence tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Rev. Yonker will officiate and burial will be in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 9, 1911, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, Clara (Webber)

Clara (Webber) Marrs
April 23, 1857-July 11, 1938


MRS. CLARA MARRS DIES IN KALAMAZOO
Aged Niles Resident Stricken This Morning at Home of Daughter

    Mrs. Clara E. Marrs, who was born in Niles April 23, 1857, will be buried in Silverbrook cemetery Wednesday morning.  Services will be in the Price and Kiger mortuary at 10 o'clock.
    Mrs. Marrs died early this morning in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sylvester Shockley, Kalamazoo, after five weeks' illness of a heart attack.  She was the widow of the late Murray Marrs.
    Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Shockley; two grandchildren, Irwin Shockley, Traverse City, and Mrs. Dora Bestervelt, Kalamazoo; also three great grandchildren, Jack, Jerry and Jane, Traverse City.  A son, Boyd, died in Buchanan, in 1935.
    Mrs. Marrs had been staying with her daughter since last August, leaving her home at 122 Market street, to spend the winter in Kalamazoo.
    The Rev. T.O. Lee will officate[sic] at the services Wednesday. Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 11, 1938, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Webber, Nora

Mrs. Nora Webber
1869-1955


    Mrs. Nora Webber, 85, of 1341 Hickory Street, died at 9:30 p.m. Monday in the Berrien County Hospital at Berrien Center where she had been a patient for the past three weeks.  She had been ill for five weeks.
    [Born] in 1869, in St. Joseph County, Ind., and at the age of six months moved with her parents to Clyde, Kas.  When she was 16 years old the family moved to the Niles area where she has lived for about 70 years.  She was married March 26, 1890, at the home of her parents south of Niles to Joseph Webber, who survives.
    Also surviving are: a son, Arthur C. Webber, of Niles; a daughter: Mrs. Marie Long, of South Bend, and four grandchildren.
    Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger Funeral Home here with the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church where Mrs. Webber was a member, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends amy[sic] call at the funeral home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 22, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Earl, Anna L.

Anna L. Earl

Died January 23, 1888

Mrs Anna L. Earl, wife of E. Earl, died at her home in Benton Harbor on Monday night, after a long illness with consumption.  She was 41 years old, and leaves a husband and two children.  The funeral services were preached at Benton Harbor yesterday afternoon, and the remains arrived here via Wabash road this morning and were intered in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Weekly Mirror, Wed. January 25, 1888, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)