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.

Ladonski, Lillian F.

Lillian F. Ladonski
Nov. 13, 1918-July 30, 1946


Dayton Resident Dies Tuesday in Home of Sister

    Mrs. Lillian F. Ladonski, 27, of Dayton, died Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. in the home of her sister, Mrs. Quinton Crocker, 210 1/2 North Front street.  She had been seriously ill for one week.
    She was a member of the Rebekah lodge in Dayton.
    Survivors include: her husband, Peter Ladonski, Dayton; her mother, Mrs. Lillian Townsend, Dayton; two daughers, Lillian and Christina, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Crocker, and Mrs. Arden Brown and Mrs. William Alford, both of Dayton; and one brother, Charles Schau, Dayton.

Born in Indiana

    She was born in Michigan City, Ind. Nov. 13, 1918, and came to Niles approximately a week ago to live with Mrs. Crocker.
    Services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. from the Pifer funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, and friends may call at the funeral home until time of the services.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 31, 1946, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Howard, Florence

Florence Howard
June 12, 1849-February 25, 1915


MRS. THOMAS HOWARD CLAIMED BY DEATH
Had Resided in Niles 34 Years and Was Highly Esteemed

    Mrs. Florence E. Howard, wife of Thomas Howard, passed away abut 8:30 o'clock this morning at their home, 516 Broadway.  Mrs. Howard has been in ill health from Bright's disease for about two years, but her death was quite unexpected inasmuch as she appeared to be about as well as usual for several days and earlier in the week was about  the house.
    Mrs. Howard was born in Ann Arbor township June 12, 1849. At the age of 16 years she was united in marriage to Mr. Howard at Ann Arbor.  Eight children were born to them and they all survive their mother.  About 34 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Howard moved to Niles and have since resided here.  She has made many friends in Niles by her estimable qualities and her demise is sincerely mourned.
    Besides her husband the following children survive her: Bert, Clarence, Percy and Thomas Weston Howard, Mrs. George Claypool, Mrs. C.L. Harrison, Miss Florence and Mrs. Fred Gibson.  Mrs. Claypool is in the city from Berrien Springs, Mrs. Gibson and Miss Florence Howard are expected this evening from Chicago and Thomas is expected from Grand Rapids tomorrow.  Bert and Clarence will be unable to attend the funeral.
    Mrs. Howard was devoted to her home and her husband and children mourn the loss of a splendid wife and mother.
    The funeral arrangements have not been completed pending the arrival of the son and daughters of the deceased.


(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, February 25, 1915, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Warner, Theodore, Jr.

Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr.
March 15, 1923-March 25, 1945


News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.), Saturday, Oct. 13, 1945, page 3

Missing Niles Pilot Given Up As Lost

 

NILES, Oct. 15--Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr., of Niles, the pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber, who was reported March 25 as missing in action, is now officially listed as dead, according to word received by his wife and parents.

In service since 1943, Lt. Warner received his commission at Blackland Air Field, Waco, Tex.  He was born in Mishawaka, Ind., March 15, 1923, and moved to Niles with his parents about six years ago.  He was graduated from Niles high school.

He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Warner, Sr.; his wife, Betty, and son, Stephen, of Mishawaka; and a brother, Robert, recently discharged from service.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 9, 1949, page 2 col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

The remains of First Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Warner, 1623 Ferry street, will be returned from Europe aboard the army transport Haiti Victory for reburial in Niles, the army announced today.

Lt. Warner was killed while serving with the air force in [illegible] a mission over Germany.  He is survived by his parents and a brother Robert E., of Barron Lake, his widow, now remarried, Mrs. Stanley Goss, of Mishawaka; a son, Stephen; and grandparents in Mishawaka.

He graduated from Niles high school and was employed by the Simplicity pattern company here when he entered the service.  He played in the high school band and in the Simplicity band.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 19, 1949, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Notice has been received that the body of Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Warner, Sr., 1623 Ferry street will arrive in Niles at 4:55 p.m. Monday.

A military service will be conducted by the American Legion post by the Rev. C.K. Graham, pastor of the First Baptist church, at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer feneral[sic] home, where friends may call Monday evening.

Lt. Warner, who was killed over Germany on March 25, 1945, while flying a mission as pilot of a B-24, was stationed with the eighth air force in England. He was the holder of the air medal, purple heart and several other air corps awards.

Born March 15, 1923, Lt. Warner moved to Niles from Mishawaka, Ind., with her parents in 1939, and granduated in 1942. He had been employed the Simplicity Pattern company, and was a member of both the high school and Simplicity bands.

After enlisting he was called by the air corps in January, 1943, and left for over-seas duty in November of 1944. He was a member of the First Baptist church.

Surviving besides his parents are his brother, Robert, of Barron lake, his four-year-old son, Stephen, his widow, the former Betty Hardesty, of Mishawaka, and now Mrs. Stanley Goss, of Mishawaka, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sheaks, of Walkerton, Ind.

 

Marrs, Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray Marrs
Died August 7, 1891


Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, August 8, 1891, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral of the late Murray Marrs will occur to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.

Niles Mirror, Wednesday, August 12, 1891, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Murry Marrs, of West Niles, died at his home Friday, of consumption, aged 38 years.  He leaves a wife and two children.  The funeral occurred from the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at two o'clock.

Buchanan Record, Thursday, August 13, 1891, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    Murry Marrs, of West Niles, died at his home, Friday, of consumption, age 38 years.He leaves a wife and two children.
    

Webber, Ella B.

Ella B. Webber
January 30, 1860-July 29, 1946


Mrs. Ella Webber Dies Monday in Home of Her Son


Mrs. Ella B. Webber, 86, died Monday at 10 p.m. in the home of her son Emmett Webber, 529 Platt street. She had been ill for one year.
She was born in Niles, Jan. 30, 1860, and had lived her entire life here.  Her husband, Emmett Webber, died in 1931.

Leaves 20 Grandchildren


Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Albert Bennett, Bertrand; and Mrs. Warren Burrows, 18 North State street; two sons, John, of South Bend; and Emmett; four step-sisters, Mrs. Alfa Willis, Benton Harbor; Mrs. Ada Dark and Mrs. Bessie Weaver, both of South Bend, and Mrs. Henry Williams, Niles; 20 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The funeral will take place Friday at 2 p.m. from the Kiger funeral home, with the Rev. G. Allen Steeby officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home until time of the services.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 30, 1946, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Webber, Emmett

Emmett Webber
Died February 18, 1935


Emmett Webber, 80, Pioneer Resident, Claimed by Death

    Emmet[sic] Webber, 80 years old, of 16 North State street, died at his home early this morning.
    Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Ella Webber, two sons, Emmett L. and John H., Niles, and two daughters, Mrs. Lydia Burroughs, Niles, and Mrs. Emmett [sic: Emma Bennett], South Bend, 19 grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Clara Marrs, Buchanan.
    Mr. Webber, before his retirement several years ago, had been employed by the French Paper company for more than 40 years.  He had spent his entire life in Niles and this vicinity.
    Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Price and Kiger funeral home, where friends may call before the hour of the funeral. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetrey[sic].

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 18, 1935, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Webber, Eva V.

Mrs. Eva V. Webber
June 6, 1872-February 4, 1965

    Mrs. Eva V. Webber, 93, of Ann Arbor, died there Thursday. She was a former Niles resident.
    Mrs. Webber was born here June 6, 1872, and lived here until 1945, when she moved to Ann Arbor.  Her husband, Judson, died in 1945.
    Surviving is a son, Lawrence F., Ann Arbor.
    Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Pifer Funeral Home.  Elder Robert L. Boothby of the Niles Seventh-day Adventist church, will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Friends will be received at the funeral home after 7 p.m. tonight.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 5, 1965, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)