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.

Power, Mary

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Mrs. Mary Power
Died October 4, 1917
LIFE PASSES PEACEFULLY AT DAWN OF DAY

    Another of the pioneers of Niles, Mrs. Mary Power, had passed beyond beyond. Her death was unexpected and those nearest her were not prepared for the shock. Her demise has cast a deep shadow of sadness over host of friends, and they were legion, and leaves those to whom she had administered in other times stricken with grief.
    A true Christian spirit, a noble woman, one loved by all who knew her, and a devoted self-sacrificing mother has gone.  The place which she filled will ever be vacant, but the lesson of her life remains and it will always be a help to those who are now bowed down with sorrow.  The wounds may heal in a measure, but she has departed.  Yet, in this time of bereavement, it is surely a comfort to those left behind to think of her many, many good deeds and to know that a useful life has been spent.
    Mrs. Power was a life long member of the Presbyterian church and  before failing health prohibited was an active worker, but it was outside of the church that the beautiful qualities of her life were best exemplified.  In her younger years whatever she could do good, wherever help was needed, there she was wont to be and many a home has been comforted in time of sorrow by her bright presence and willing hands.  She was ever ready to sacrifice herself physically to others and in so doing her true Christian spirit was given emphasis. It pleased her to make others happy and in failing health her thoughts seemed to be for those who would be left.  A noble spirit has gone and while her passing casts a shadow of gloom, the fact that she lived and made so much of the living cannot fail to inspire others to better things.
    Words fail to express the sorrow of those bereaved, sympathy ever falls far short, but when a life that has been filled with usefulness goes out, the record awakens the realization that living is good if we make it so.  That is what Mrs. Power did. She was one of God's noblewomen and left the world better for her having lived and been a part of it.
    Mrs. Power became ill about 1:30 o'clock this moring and died an hour later.  Deceased was 70 years of age. (Continued on page 4)  She was born at St. Davids, Canada, but had resided in Niles for the past 55 years.  Left to mourn her loss are three sons, one daughter, and two sisters, Robert, of Paris, Ill.; Edward and Horace, of this city, and Mrs. James Smith, of South Bend.  The sisters are Mrs. William McBride and Mrs. Margaret Park, also of Niles.  Funeral will be held from the residence Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. W.H. Phelps officiating.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 4, 1917, page 1, col. 5, continued on page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)
   

Sarley, Hannah

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Hannah (Ulrich) Sarley

Born April 19, 1891-Died Oct. 1, 1851

MRS. HANNAH SARLEY, 60

    Mrs. Hannah Sarley, 715 North Fourth street, died at 10:30 a.m. Monday after a four-week illness.
    Surviving are three sons, James, Jr., of Niles, Willard, of Paris, France, and Warren Dale Sarley, of Lansing; one daughter, Virginia, of Mt. Pleasant; two grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Anna Krause, of Chicago, and two brothers, August Ulrich, of Hobart, Ind., and Edward Ulrich, of Chicago.
    Mrs. Sarley was born on April 19, 1891, in Chicago, and came to Niles from there in 1931.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, October 2, 1951, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Codding, Lora

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
MRS. LORA CODDING IS STRICKEN AFTER FALL
Fracture of Hip Three Years Ago is Cause of Complications

    Mrs. Lora Codding, wife of S.B. Codding, 554 Broadway, died abut 11:30 last evening at her home.  Although long in ill health her condition had been considered alarming since last Sunday.  Mr. and Mrs. Codding lived for many years on a farm on Lake street but a few years ago they moved to their present home.
    Mrs. Codding was prominent in both the city and rural social life of the community and was a member of several social organizations and clubs until her health failed or after she had sustained a fall during the Christmas holiday season three years ago and broke her hip.
    She was a member of the Musical club and of the Woman's Progressive league and was at one time chairman of the philanthropic work of the league.  She is survived by her husband, one grandson, Louis Ehninger, of Niles, and a nephew and a niece, Arthur Hull of Boston, Mass., and Miss Georgia Hull of Philadelphia.  The latter is expected in Niles tomorrow afternoon.  The funeral services will be held in the home at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 4, 1929, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles Daily Star.)

Weaver. Charley E.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

CHARLEY E. WEAVER

Charley E. Weaver, 85, of 1515 North 11th Street, died at 3:15 p.m. Monday at the home of his son, James Weaver, following an illness of one week.

Mr. Weaver, a retired carpenter, was born July 16, 1873, in Greenville, O., and had lived in the community for the past 50 years, coming here from South Bend. He was a charter member of the Loyal Order of Moose. His wife, Emma, preceded him in death on May 26, 1955.

Surviving beside the one son, James, are: two other sons, George Weaver, of Michigan City, Ind., and Ellsworth Weaver, of Logansport, Ind.; two daughters, Mrs. Pearl Neddo, of Benton Harbor, and Mrs. Homer Stoops, of Louisville, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, and two brothers, Henry and Jesse Weaver, both of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. Herbert Meussling, pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

(Source: The Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 12, 1959, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Weaver. Perry

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

INJURIES ARE FATAL

Perrp[sic] Weaver Succumbed Last Night as Result of Accident

            The injury received by Perry Weaver on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 7, when he was kicked by a horse in the Zwergle livery barn where he was employed, proved fatal and the young man passed away last evening at 7:15 o’clock at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Weaver, 398 Mill street.  Death was caused directly from inflammation of the brain.

            Although Mr. Weaver’s condition has seemed almost hopeless from the first yet at times he would rally from his delirious condition and encouragement would be offered regarding his recovery.

            But the case baffled the skill of the attending physicians.

            Mr. Weaver was 32 years of age and was born in Ohio.  He has resided in Niles for the past 19 years.

            In 1901 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Bertha Coker of this city, who survives him.  Besides his widow and parents, one brother, William Weaver of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. Louis Walker of South Bend and Mrs. William Young of Coldwater, also survive.

            Mr. Weaver has been engaged in various capacities since coming to Niles.  For a time he was a member of the city fire department and accordingly the central station is draped in mourning.  He was a faithful and conscientious employe and was held in high esteem by his employers and fellowworkmen as well as by a large circle of friends.

            The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock from his parents’ home.  Rev. C.J. DeCoux will officiate.  Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, January 16, 1909, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Weaver, Bertha T.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Bertha (Thayer) Weaver

1875-1941

           Mrs. B. Weaver, 66, is Taken by Death; Rites Wednesday

            Mrs. Bertha T. Weaver, 66, of 211 Sycamore street, who had lived all her life in Niles and vicinity, died Sunday night at 10 in Berrien Center. She had been ill two months.

            She leaves a brother, Harry Thayer, Niles.

            Mrs. Weaver was born in Niles township Jan. 1, 1875.

            Services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2 in the Price and Kiger chapel. The Rev. George Horst will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 21, 1941, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Weaver, John W.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

John W. Weaver

Died Oct. 5, 1942

 John W. Weaver, Stricken Tuesday in Howard Home

            John W. Weaver, 85, a resident of the Niles community 58 years, died Tuesday night at 8:30 in his home on Route 1 in Howard township.  He had been ill only a few hours.

            A carpenter by trade, he was born in Paulding county, Ohio, and lived there until he came to Niles. The only survivor is a son, Clyde Weaver, Niles.

            Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where the service will be conducted Friday morning at 10.  W.F. Putnam will officiate with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 6, 1942, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

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