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.

Swartz, John

John Swartz
Died July 14, 1902


John Swartz, who is suffering from hydrophobia as the result of having been bitten by a mad dog, is still living, but the attending physicican[sic] expects that the end will come within the next 48 hours. It is an extremely sad case. (Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 14, 1902, page 3, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Next day:

DEATH RELIEVES HIM
John Swartz, Victim of Hydrophobia, is Dead


John Swartz, after having suffering untold agony for several days, died at 5:30 o'clock last evening, a victim of hydrophobia.  Mr. Swartz was bitten by a mad dog last April when a number of persons were attacked, among them being Wellington Welling, who was immediately sent to the Pasteur Institute in Chicago, where the virus treatment is given.
The wound in the left hand from which Mr. Swartz has suffered almost untold agony, had healed up and no evil results were anticipated, but last Wednesday the usual hydrophobia symptoms appeared. First a loss of appetite and violent pains, radiating from the left hand were experienced, which grew rapidly worse.
Mr. Swartz' illness was accompanied by an abnormal dread of water, said to be a symptom of canine madness.  The deasase is caused by a bite from a rabid creature, as was the case in the present instance, or with the inoculation of a mad dog.  The chief symptoms of the disease, all of which Mr. Swartz' condition showed, are, a sense of dryness and constriction in the throat, causing difficulty in deglutition, a marked heightening of reflex excitability, producing convulsions whenever the patient attempts to swallow, or is disturbed in any way, as by the sight or sound of water.
Mr. Swartz was 79 years of age and has been a resident Niles for nearly forty years.  He is survived by six children, four sons and two daughters.
The funeral will be held from the residence of Harry Swartz on Third street, to-morrow at 4 o'clock, p.m. , Rev. Ager, officiating. Interment will take place at Silver Brook. (Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, July 15, 1902, page 3, col 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

 

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The funeral services of the late John Swartz were held this forenoon at 10 o'clock at the home of his son, Harry, on north Third street, Rev. Charles Ager conducting the services. The remains were laid to rest in Silver Brook cemetery.  (Niles Republican, Thursday, July 17, 1902, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Coan, Emily L.

Emily L. (Emma) Coan
1841-1902


    Mrs. W.G. Ferson received a telegram today announcing the death of her sister, Miss Emma Coan, at Kalamazoo.  Death was caused by paralysis.  Miss Coan was a graduate fof the Niles high school and was a teacher in the public schools here for a number of years.  The remains will be brought to Niles and the funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock at the residence of Mrs. Ferson.  The interment will be in Silver Brook cemetery. The deceased was also a cousin of Mrs. H. N. Dean of this city.

(Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, July 17, 1902, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

    The remains of Miss Emma Coan arrived this morning from Kalamazoo and were taken to the home of Mrs. W. G. Ferson, where the funeral services were held this afternoon at 4 o'clock, Rev. Dr. J.G. Lowrie conducted the services. The interment was in Sliver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Republican, Thursday, July 17, 1902, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Swartz, Milton

Milton Swartz
Oct. 23, 1869-May 8, 1951


    Milton Swartz, 1011 Birch street, died Tuesday afternoon at the Berrien Center hospital after an illness of two days.
    Surviving is a son, LaVerne Milton Swartz, of Niles; three stepsons, Alvin Cox, of LaPorte, Ind., and Dewey and Henderson Cox, of Niles.
    Swartz was born in Niles township on Oct., 23, 1869, and had lived all his life here.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 9, 1951, page 2, col. 7; microfilm Niles District Library)

Rohdy, James A.

James A. Rohdy
Aug. 15, 1952-March 19, 2008

DOWAGIAC - James A.  Rohdy, 55, died Wednesday, March 19, in his home unexpectedly, but of natural causes. Mr.  Rohdy was born on August 15, 1952, in Reed City, Michigan to Glenn C. and Mary A. (McLachlan)  Rohdy.
      James graduated from Roscommon High School with the Class of 1970. He lived in Southwestern Michigan for 35 years, coming from Higgins Lake, Michigan. He was employed by Slatile Roofing and Restoration in South Bend and had previously been employed at Custom Tire in Berrien Springs, Michigan. James was a veteran of the Vietnam era, having served in the United State Army. He was a member of Roofers Union Local #23 in South Bend and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #449 in Buchanan, Michigan. He was an avid bowler and hunter.
      On December 4, 1976, in Niles, he married the former Jackie Hoy, who survives.
Mr.  Rohdy is also survived by his mother, Mary A.  Rohdy of Claire, Michigan; sister, Glenda (Dennis) Carmoney of Claire; brother, Cameron (Hoi)  Rohdy of Bellevue, WA; brother-in-law, Kenneth (Cheryl) Hoy Jr. of Dowagiac; sister-in-law, Cindy (Rick) Anderson of Lakeland, Florida; eight nephews; two nieces and 12 great-nieces and nephews.
      Funeral services for James A.  Rohdy will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2008, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Rev. Emmett H. Kadwell Jr. of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles officiating.
Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, where full military honors will be held following the services at the graveside by American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.'
      Friends may call beginning at noon on Monday at the funeral home.
      Contributions in memory of James A.  Rohdy may be made to Saint Jude Children's Hospital or to Pet Refuge of Mishawaka.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

McCoy, Harley L.

Harley L. McCoy
May 19, 1892-December 7, 1950


    Harley L. McCoy, 58, Terminal hotel, died suddenly at 5 p.m. yesterday at the Eagles lodge.  He was born May 19, 1892, in Grand Rapids, and moved to Niles 33 years ago.
    McCoy was employed as a car repairman by the New York Central railroad and was a member of the Eagles lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
    Survivors are a sister, Mrs. Clyde Webber, two nephews, and one niece, all of Niles.
    Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home where full military services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday by the American legion.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 8, 1950, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Seeley, Lucinda (Haggerty)

Lucinda Seeley
1834-1920


    WIDOW OF SOLDIER DEAD
Mrs. Lucinda Seeley Had Reached the Age of 86 Years

    Mrs. Lucinda Seeley, Pokagon street, widow of Horace Seeley, who was a veteran of the Civil war, died last evening at 5 o'clock at the home of her son, Clayton Seeley, in north Fifth street.  Mrs. Seeley had reached the advanced age of 86 years, and her death was caused frim[sic] the infirmities of old age.
    The deceased was born in Ohio in 1834.  She was married to Horace Seeley in 1853. Of the eight children born of this union, but one, Clayton Seeley, survives the mother.  She is also survived by one brother, Hampton Haggerty of NIles.
    The deceased was a pioneer resident of this section, having come to Michigan in 1848, and enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout the community and was highly respected.
    The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30  o'clock from the son's home.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

((Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 8, 1920, page 1 col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

Seely, Clayton H.

Clayton H. Seely
January 16, 1879-April 2, 1952


Clayton H. Seely, 73

    Clayton H. Seely, 73, a retired New York Central yard engeineer, died Wednesday at 3 p.m. at his home,1608 Hickory street, following a year's illness.  Funeral services will be held at the Kiger funeral home Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Seely was born January 16, 1879, in Kent county, Michigan, and came to Niles from Sand Lake 60 years ago.  Before retirement, he was a yard conductor with the New York Central railroad.
    Surviving is the wife, Ethel N. Seely.
    He was a member of the Presbyterian church and the Switchmans Union of North America.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 3, 1952, page 2 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)