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.

Walters, Harold L.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Harold Walters
April 30, 1923-March 28, 1983

    Harold L. Walters, 59, 701 Vann St., Niles, died 8:59 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Pawating Hospital, following a short illness.
    Born Apirl 30, 1923, in Kalamazoo. In Dowagiac, On August 6, 1946, he married Gloria N. Cox, who survives. He had been a resident of Berrien County most of his life.
    He was a retired auto salesman from Fefferman Olds-Cadilac[sic] in South Bend and a World War II Army veteran.  He was a member of st. Mary's Catholic Church and B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1322.
    Survivors include: his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thornton Walters of Niles; one daughter, Mrs. Charles (Candace) Kirchner of Seattle, Waeh.[sic]; one brother, Robert Walters of Kalamazoo; two sisters, Mrs. Leslie (Eileen) Glassburn of Niles and Mrs. Joyce Semrinec of Spring Lake, Mich.
    Services will be 12:00 noon Thursday, March 31, at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home with Rev. John M. Steffey of St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating.  Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.  March 30, at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, March 30, 1983, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Oswalt, Harvey E.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Harvey E. Oswalt
August 21, 1857-November 22, 1927

HARVEY E. OSWALT SUCCUMBS TO DEATH
Passes Away at River Street Home After Long Illness

    Harvey E. Oswalt, 28 River street, died at 12 o'clock today after more than two months of illness with stomach trouble and dropsy.  Mr. Oswalt was for 10 years prior to the time he was stricken with illness an employe at the Kawneer company, and was well known and liked by fellow employes.
    Mr. Oswalt was born in Nappanee, Ind., on August 21, 1857.  He is survived by a widow and by two step-children, who are Frank Stearns, of Oberlin, Ohio, and Mrs. Samuel Zartman, of Niles.
    The body was removed to the Rutherford Funeral Home, and friends may call there. While the plans for the funeral are not completed it probably will be held on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source; Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 22, 1927, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Brownell, Martha

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Martha Perkins Brownell
February 12, 1852-November 21, 1927

MRS. MARTHA BROWNELL IS STRICKEN BY DEATH
Passes Away at S. Fifth St. Home After Short Illness

    Mrs. Martha Perkins Brownell, 76, died this morning at 10:45 at her home, 230 S. Fifth Street. She was stricken with paralysis about 10 days ago and her condition has been considered hopeless almost since the time she was stricken.  The deceased was a life long and highly esteemed resident of Niles.
    Mrs. Brownell was born in Niles on Feb. 12, 1852. She was married to Marcus Albert Brownell on April 4, 1880.  He died several years ago.  Mrs. Brownell is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Hutchins, of Diamond lake, and Mrs. Minnie Veness who made her home with Mrs. Brownell.
    The funeral plans were not completed.  The deceased was a faithful member of the Trinity Episcopal church and was for many years prominent in its activities.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 21, 1927, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Cox, Edward Claude

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

E. Claude Cox
April 6, 1893-June 10, 1968

E. Claude Cox, 75, of 701 Vann St., was dead on arrival at Pawating Hospital at 8 p.m., Monday.
Moving here from Indianapolis, Ind., in 1917, Mr. Cox was born in Silverville, Ind., April 6, 1893.  He retired in 1958 from the National-Standard Co.
In addition to his widow, Angie, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Joseph Gessinger of Garver Lake; Mrs. Harold Walters of Niles, and two grandchildren.
He was a member of the St. Joseph Valley, F&A.M., 4.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday in the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. Lloyd Schloop, pastor of the Wesley Methodist United Church, officiating. Graveside services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 11, 1968, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Cox, Angie F.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Angela F. (Johnson) Cox
February1, 1896-August 26, 1973

Mrs. Angie Cox

Niles--Mrs. Angie F. Cox, 77, of 701 Vann St., died Sunday in her home.
Born Feb. 1, 1896, in Martin County, Ind., Mrs. Cox had lived here since 1917, coming from Indiana.  On Dec. 6, 1913, in Crawfordsville, Ind., she married Claude E. Cox, who died in 1968.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Harold (Gloria) Walters and Mrs. Joseph (Virginia) Gessinger, both of Niles; three brothers, Charles Johnson of Niles, McKinley Johnson of Indiana and Ura Johnson of Kalamazoo, and two grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey of St. Mary's Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the Halbritter Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Berrien County Cancer Service.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 28, 1973, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Cox, Abram B.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Abram B. Cox
April 12, 1848-June 4, 1939

Abram B. Cox, 91, Stricken; Service Tuesday at 3 P.M.

    Ill for the last seven months, Abram B. Cox, of 914 South Fourteenth street, died Sunday in the Berrien county hospital. He was 91 years old.
    A native of Indiana, Mr. Cox was born near LaPorte, April 12, 1848.  He was a retired farmer and made his home in Niles for the last 10 years.
    Surviving are three sons, Dudley and Dewey, Niles, and Alvin, LaPorte; also four grandchildren.
    Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be held at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. C.J. Harpold officiating.
    Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 5, 1939, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Reid, Edward D.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Edward D. Reid
January 16, 1905-June 11, 1968

    Edward D. Reid, 63, of 2676 Starr Ave., died at 1 a.m. today in Pawating Hospital, after being a patient there since Saturday.
    Moving here from South Bend 57 years ago, Mr. Reid was born in South Bend on Jan. 16, 1905. He was employed as a custodian by the Niles Community Schools System.
    On Jan. 11, 1925, he married Lucille Andrews in Niles.
    In addition to his widow, he is survived by two brothers, George of Niles; William of St. Cloud, Fla., and a sister, Mrs. John Mason of Niles.
    A veteran of World War II, Mrs. Reid was a member of St. Mark's Catholic Church, the Niles Elks Lodge and the American Legion Post, 26.
    Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the St. Mark's Catholic Church with the Rev. Francis Timmons officiating . Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
    Rosary services will be recited at  8:30 p.m., Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home.
    Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, June 11, 1968, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

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