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.

Fowler, Walter

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 12, 2010

Walter Fowler
Died July 25, 1885

Drowned in Barren Lake
Walter Fowler the Victim

Saturday evening, about seven o'clock, in company with lady and gentlemen friends, Walter Fowler went in bathing at Barren Lake, a few rods east of Platt's ice houses. Attired in pants and a woolen shirt, C.W. Halloway accompanied him in a row boat. They pulled out into waters near ten feet deep. Walter was not an expert swimmer, but he dove from the boat, Halloway following. As soon as the latter came up he asked: "How deep is the water there, Walt?" Fowler muttered something but was not understood. Nothing was thought of the answer and Halloway dove again. Being on opposite sides of the boat from each other, and both hid from view, it was not thought of that anything could be wrong, but Walter had made his last dive and he was lost sight of. The women on shore called attention first to his drowning and immediate search was initiated. He could not be found. The word soon spread and willing hands began a search for the body, but it was not until Sunday afternoon that the remains were found, Dave Carrott diving down from a boat, bringing them to the surface. Indications of being bruised on the face were apparent, and it is generally supposed that when he dove he struck the ground with much force and was stunned. Walter Fowler was 19 years old, of good disposition, and was the family favorite, beloved by all. His remains were interred in Silver Brook cemetery on Monday, a large concourse of people accompanying them to their last resting place.
Father, mother, three brothers and four sisters are left to mourn his loss.

(Source: Niles Mirror, Wednesday, July 29, 1885, page 4 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

Walter Fowler Drowned

Last Saturday evening about 7 o'clock Walter Fowler was drowned in Barron Lake. He and Mr. C.W. Halloway, of this city, went out in a boat for the purpose of bathing, and when in water about ten feet deep they commenced diving from the boat, jumping into the water from opposite sides. Young Fowler had dived once and came up, but on going down again he failed to rise. The alarm was given at once and many of his friends and neighbors made diligent search for the body, but it was not recovered until Sunday afternoon when it was brought to the surface by Mr. David Carrett who dived from a boat and secured it. The face was somewhat bruised, and it is thought that when diving he struck the bottom and was stunned and probably strangled. Mrs. Fowler was 19 years old and a general favorite. His untimely death, coming as it did just as he was verging into manhood, has caused much sadness in the community where he was so well known. To the large family circle the blow is a sad one indeed. The body was buried in Silver Brook cemetery on Monday and the funeral was largely attended.

(Source Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 1, 1885, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

also

WALTER FOWLER, of Niles township, was drowned while bathing In Barren Lake Saturday. He is a relative of Doc Fowler of this place.

(Source: Buchanan Record, Thursday, July 30, 1885, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Note: Per Death Record, son of Thomas and Margaret Fowler

Gage, Robert C.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 12, 2010

Robert Charles Gage
January 14, 1893-May 15, 1903

ROBERT C. GAGE
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Gage Passed Away this Morning

Robert C. Gage, the ten-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Eli Gage, passed away at 6:45 o'clock this morning after a week's illness with dread diphtheria. The boy was a bright and cheerful little fellow, and his premature taking off grieves the family sorely. The remains will be laid at rest in the shade of the oaks at Silver Brook at 4 o'clock this afternoon. There will be no funeral service, owing to the contagious nature of the disease to which the boy succumbed, which renders it expedient that the interment take place privately ane as promptly as possible without undue haste.
Mr. and Mrs. Gage have the sympathy of the community in their sad bereavement.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday Evening, May 15, 1903, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Gage, Arza G.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 12, 2010

Arza G. Gage
April 21, 1847-April 10, 1929

DEATH CLOSES ACTIVE LIFE OF A.G. GAGE, FOR YEARS A MERCHANT HERE

   Arza G. Gage, 82, a pioneer resident and merchant of Niles, died this morning at 2 o'clock at his home at 116 S. Fourth street. While the immediate cause of death was heart disease Mr. Gage had suffered for several months from a complication of diseases and had for some time been under the constant care of nurses. However, until stricken with the illness which resulted in his death Mr. Gage had been remarkably vigorous and had had taken a deep interest in community affairs and still attended meetings of several of the organizations of which he was a member.
   Mr. Gage was a cousin of the late Lyman Gage, former secretaty of the U.S. treasury. He was born on April 21, 1847, in Wayne township, Cass county, a son of Ebenezer and Minerva Gage.
   Mr. Gage took a commercial course in the Detroit Business college in his early 20's. He then came to Niles and worked in a basket factory. In 1870 he purchased a grocery business in partnership with a Mr. Spaulding who later sold his interest to Eli Gage, a brother, and under the firm name of Gage Bros., the business was carried on until the death of Eli Gage, in 1903. Gurman Hoppe followed as a partner with the surviving members of the firm until Mr. Gage sold his interest in 1909 after being in the grocery business for 39 years continuously.
   Mr. Gage was married on Oct. 30, 1877 to Henrietta M. Wood, who died on July 27, 1927. The one child born to them, Mrs. Edith Gage Van Riper, wife of Dr. Paul Van Riper, of Champion, survives her father, also three (Continued from Page One) grandchildren, Charles and Joesph, at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Dorothy Van Riper of Champion. A halfsister, Mrs. Eugene McKenzie, of Dowagiac, also survives.
   Mr. Gage was active in Masonic circles. He was a member of St. Joseph Valley lodge, No. 4, F. and A. M., St. Joseph Valley chapter, No. 2; R. and A.M., Niles Commandery, No. 12 Knights Templar and Niles Council, No. 10, R. and S.M. In these organizations he has held several positions of honor and trust continuously for many years. For over 50 years he had been a member and faithful in attendance, of the Presbyterian church. His business, fraternal and social relations had resulted in contacts with practically unlimited numbers of people, and he enjoyed their respect and esteem and had also made many warm personal friends by whom his death is mourned.
   Mr. Gage had been for many years a member of the cemetery board of the city and at the time of his death was president of the board.
   The funeral services will be held at 2:30 on Friday afternoon at the home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery. The committal services will be under Masonic auspices.
   Mrs. Van Riper arrived in Niles on Saturday From Champion and her Husband, Dr. Paul Van Riper will arrive tomorrow.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 10, 1929, page 1, col. 4, continued on page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Eckler, Charles H.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 12, 2010

Charles H. Eckler
October 10, 1873-December 21, 1943

CHARLES ECKLER DIES; RITES FRIDAY

   Charles H. Eckler, 70, painter and decorator who lived at 1004 Birch street, died at 1 Tuesday afternoon in the Berrien county hospital, Berrien Center, after an illness of three days.
   He was born in St. Joseph county, Indiana, Oct. 10, 1873, and came to Niles 50 years ago. He married Etta M. Holmes, who died in 1928. In June, 1939, he was married to Mrs. Norah Curtis, who survives.
   Survivors besides his wife include two sons--George of Niles, and Fred, Barron lake; five stepchildren, Frederick Curtis, Mrs. Elizabeth Edinger and Mrs. Lila Makepeace, Niles; Mrs. Florence Coleman, Buchanan, and Mrs. Ilah Christine, Allegan; a brother, Allen, of Niles, and three grandchildren.
   The body is in Rutherford funeral home where services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 [illegible]. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 22, 1943, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fowler, Alice M. (Collins)

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 11, 2010

Alice M. Fowler
Died March 11, 1916

DEATH AT MISHAWAKA OF MRS. ALICE FOWLER
Was a Former Resident of Niles--Burial will Occur Here.

   Mrs. Alice Fowler, a former well known and highly esteemed resident, died this morning at the home of her brother, Albert Collins in Mishawaka. She has been in ill health for some time with heart disease and her death is attributed to that cause. Mrs.Fowler was about 65 years of age. She was born on what is now the A.D. Young farm west of Niles and until five years ago she had always resided in Niles. Her maiden name was Alice Collins.
   Her husband, Fred Fowler, died several years ago. Her only son was drowned a number of years ago in the river above the dam here and her only daughter, Mrs. Shockley, has been dead for several years. The immediate surviving relatives are two brothers and a sister, Albert Collins of Mishawaka, Rev. Stanley Collins of Port Austin, Mich., and a sister, Mrs. Edwin Fowler, of Neosha, Mo., The latter was formerly Miss Emma Fowler. There are also other relatives in this city.
   The body will be brought to Niles on Monday. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon from the First Baptist chruch. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Sun, Sat., March 11, 1916, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

ALICE M. FOWLER PASSES AWAY AT MISHAWAKA TODAY

   Alice M. Fowler, for years a resident of Niles, passed away this morning about 9 o'clock, at the home of her brother, Albert Collins, in Mishawaka. Last Thursday night she suffered a stroke of apoplexy, from the effects of which death came this morning. Mrs. Fowler was 63 years of age and will be remembered here, having passed some time in the city last summer. Since the death of her husband and children, however, she had not made her permanent home here, although her visits were frequent.
   She is survived by two brothers, Albert Collins of Mishawaka, Stanley Collins of Port Austin, Mich., and one sister, residing in Missouri.
   Funeral services will be held from the First Baptist church in this city at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon with Rev. A.W. Lyons officiating. Interments will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source Niles Daily Star, March 11, 1916, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fowler, Archibald P.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 11, 2010

Archibald P. Fowler
December 22, 1847-May 3, 1943

A.P. FOWLER DIES; RITES WEDNESDAY

   Funeral services for Archibald P. Fowler, 95, formerly of 717 Grant street, will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. J. Kenneth Hoffmaster, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate with burial in Silverbrook cemetery.
   Mr. Fowler died Monday in the home of his daughter, Miss Mabel Fowler, Glenwood, Ill., with whom he had lived the last two years.
   Surviving with the daughter are a son, Archie Fowler, Niles, four grand children and three great grandchildren.
   Mr. Fowler was born Dec. 22, 1847, in Delaware and was the last of a family of eight children. In 1855, he accompanied his parents, the late George and Elizabeth Fowler to Michigan and settled near Adamsville.
   For a time he was actively engaged in farming, first at Edwardsburg and then north of Niles and later worked in a Buchanan Furniture [illegible].
   After his retirement he lived in Niles with his son until two years ago, when he moved to Glenwood. Friends may call in the Prince and Kiger funeral home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, May 4, 1943, page 2, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library)

Fowler, Archie A.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries June 11, 2010

Archie A. Fowler

July 25, 1889-July 15, 1943

ARCHIE FOWLER, 59, DIES TODAY

   Archie A. Fowler, 59, of 1316 Hickory street, a resident of Niles 45 years, died this morning at 1 after a week's illness.
   Born in Buchanan July 25, 1889, [illegible]during his childhood.
   Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Lynn Butler, Niles' three sons, Earl and Phillip Fowler, both of h Niles, and Leroy Fowler, serving with the marines in San Diego, Calif., and a sister, Miss Mabel Fowler, Glenwood, Ill.
   Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral Home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 15, 1943, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library)

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