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.
Ms. McCleaf (Lydia)
Died February 7, 1892
Mrs. McCleaf, died of a complication of diseases, Sunday morning, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Enoch Flegal, on Hickory Lane, aged 78 years. The funeral was held at the residence Tuesday p.m. at 2 o’clock.
(Source: Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 10, 1892, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)
Mrs. Robert (Sybil M.) McOmber
1850-1919
MRS. M’OMBER SUCCUMBS TO APOPLEXY
About the Same Time Her Sister is Hurt in Accident
Mrs. Robert McOmber died at her home, 812 North Fourth street this morning at 9:15 o’clock. Last Monday afternoon she was stricken with apoplexy while feeding her chickens. After lying prostrate in the rain for two hours she was found by her husband when he came home from his work at 6 o’clock. Up to the time of her demise she did not regain consciousness.
Deceased was born at Lodi, Seneca county, New York, July 3, 1850. April 2, 1876, she was married to Robert McOmber of this city. Three children were born to them, Arthur, of Kalamazoo; Mrs. Filbert Williams of Niles and one who died in infancy. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Francis Smith and Mrs. Elvira Battles, of New York state, and one brother, Wilbur Salisbury, of Los Angeles, Calif.
Mrs. McOmber took an active interest in the affairs of the Methodist church, of which she was a devoted member. She also belonged to the Rebekah and Maccabee lodges of this city.
Funeral announcement will be made later.
Shortly after the time of her death a telegram was received which conveys the sad news that Mrs. McOmber’s sister, Mrs. Francis Smith, had been seriously injured in an automobile accident in New York.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday evening, February 28, 1919, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)
Sarah Coolidge
Dec. 9, 1820-Dec. 30, 1884
Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 31, 1884, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
--We stop the press to announce that Mrs. Judge H. Coolidge died on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, January 1, 1885, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Sarah Coolidge, widow of the late Ex-Judge H.H. Coolidge, died Tuesday, at her home in Niles.
Buchanan Record, Thursday, January 1, 1885, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Sarah Coolidge, widow of the late Ex-Judge H.H. Coolidge, died Tuesday, at her home in Niles.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, January 3, 1885, page 5, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
The death of Mrs. Coolidge, wife of the late Judge H.H. Coolidge, which occurred on Tuesday morning last, called forth universal expressions of regret and sorrow.--Mrs. Coolidge had been confined to her room for some months. Indeed, since the death of her brother, Dr. A.J. Mead, followed soon after that by that of her beloved husband, she had never seemed to rally, and she peacefully followed her most cherished ones to the final rest. Mrs. Coolidge was a lady of rare social qualities and had endeared herself in a peculiar way to all with whom she came in contact. Her life was one of vast usefulness and the broadest charity, and none could have passed away who will be more sincerely mourned for than she.
Helen Eliza Coolidge
1842-1903
LIFE WORK DONE
Life of Activity Ended With Death of Miss Helen Coolidge
Helen Eliza Coolidge, daughter of the Late Judge H. and Sarah A. Coolidge, and sister of Judge O.W. Coolidge, of Niles, and Mrs. Charles A. Chapin, of Chicago, was born in Edwardsburg, Mich., Sept. 22, 1842. At the age of 17 she removed with her family to Niles, which has been her home until over eight years ago, when she went to Chicago to be with her aunt Mrs. Amelia Reading. Early last spring she returned to the home of her brother, herself an invalid, where she has been ministered to with tender care, through months of suffering until the end which came peacefully Saturday evening, January 3, 1903.
The going out of this active life calls for more than the above brief notice. Endowed with a mind of unusual strength, with a keen intellect, sound judgment and practical good sense, Miss Coolidge became a prominent and valuable factor in the social, intellectual and religious life of this community, where as a matter of course, she was accorded a high place.
She was the only woman in Niles who was ever honored with a place as member of the Board of Education, which place she resigned upon leaving for Chicago. She was the only woman in her church who was ever given the position of superintendent of the Sunday school. She was also for some time president of the Woman’s Missionary society, and a helpful aid in all the activities of the church, discharging her duties with intelligent conscientiousness and while never seeking them she never shirked them.
Her education in the public schools was supplemented by a course in Beloit college, and later she followed the bent of an inherited taste by studying law and was admitted to the bar. Thus was she equipped for any career. With all these stronger qualities of mind were combined those tender womanly traits and graces which made her the dutiful daughter, the devoted sister, the loving aunt, the trusted friend and a social favorite.
Upon going to Chicago, although she knew her stay might be temporary, she transferred her church membership to the sixth Presbyterian church of that place and there her unusual abilities were soon recognized and she was made president of the Home Missionary Society where her talents were consecrated anew to the cause which had always been so dear to her. In a letter to her from the pastor of the church expressing his appreciation of her “faithful and efficient service,” he says “The whole church owes you a debt which cannot be paid except as our Lord pays you in the joy of service and reward.” The secretary of the Woman’s Presbyterian society of Home Missions, wrote her that her “earnest co-operation in al the great work of which Chicago Presbyterial forms a part can never be forgotten.” Upon returning to Niles, Miss Coolidge resumed her connection with her old church and her last effort was made when in great physical weakness, she attended the September Missionary meeting and read an able and interesting paper on the work of the Home Missions in Chicago. Faithful to the last, she has gone to her reward leaving both in Niles and Chicago a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn her departure.
Thus passed peacefully away from earth life an earnest and active Christian, whose faith was shown by her works; whose cheerful kindness and courtesy won popularity with all classes—while to the friends of a life time, her devotion was such as is rarely seen in this world of change.
Intellectually gifted, refined in taste, self-sacrificing and helpful—in the home of her parents, and in the other homes which she has brightened in later years—she filled a place which can never be other than “vacant” in the saddest sense of that heartbreaking work. But with her “all is well;” she has gone to the Paradise of “loyal hearts and true,” where, God grant, we may meet her! L.B.L.
Source: Niles Republican, Thursday January 8, 1903, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)
Sarah Elizabeth Stowell
1856-1918
Niles Daily Star, Wed. January 22, 1918, page 1, col. 2 microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Stowell, a former resident of this city, died at her home in South Bend Monday morning at 4 o'clock, following an illness of two years. She was born in Prospect, N.Y., April 19, 1855, and was 62 years old when she died. She moved to South Bend from Niles and lived in that city for seven years. A daughter, Miss May Stowell, residing at home, a sister, Mrs. Emma Meyers of California, and a brother, Samuel Serviss, survive.
Funeral services will be held from the residence Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock, Rev A.M. Eells officiating. Burial will take place in Silver Brook cemetery, this city.
ALSO:
Niles Daily Sun, Wed. January 22, 1918, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Stowell, a former well known and highly esteemed Niles resident for many years, died at her home, 729 Sherman avenue, in South Bend Monday morning at 4 o'clock, following a two years' illness with paralysis.
Mrs. Stowell was born in Prospect, N.Y., April 19, 1855. Seven years ago Mrs. Stowell went to South Bend to reside.
The deceased is survived by one daughter, Miss May Stowell, of South Bend, one brother, Samuel Serviss in Wyoming, and one sister, Mrs. Emma Meyers of California and by a grandson, Donald Stowell, son of the late Charles Stowell.
The funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock from the house, Rev. A.M. Eells, pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian church officiating.
The body will be brought to Niles for burial.