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.

Wood, Cornelius L.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

Colonel Cornelius Wood
1845-1911

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, Dec. 4, 1911, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

COLONEL WOOD WAS A PIONEER
Was brought to Michigan from Ohio when an infant. Died Sunday.

    Colonel L. Wood passed away Sunday morning about 11 o'clock at his home a mile and a half northwest of Niles where he has resided since came to Michigan in 1845.
    Mr. Wood's death was due to heart disease from which he had been a sufferer for about four years.  His death was sudden however, inasmuch as he was able to be in town a week ago and was sick in bed but one day prior to his demise.
    Mr. Wood was born in Oleary, near Cleveland, Ohio, July 12, 1845.  When he was but a few weeks old his parents came to Michigan overland, the subject of his sketch being brought on the long journey on a pillow.
    Mr. Wood's parents cleared the land and erected a log cabin and a part of this primitive home is incorporated in the larger and more modern house where Mr. Wood and family have resided for so many years.
    Mr. Wood was married in Niles 37 years ago to Miss Sarah Beswick, who with three daughters survive[sic] him.  The daughters are Mrs. Harry Scott of Buchanan, Mrs. Fred Klute of Three Oaks and Miss Gertrude Wood, who teaches in the South Bend public schools.
    A brother and four sisters, who reside at a distance also survive. They are all well advanced in years and will be unable to attend the funeral.
    The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house.  Rev. G. Huntington of Trinity Episcopal church will officiate.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

 AND


Niles Daily Star, Monday, Dec. 4, 1911, p. 4, col.19, microfilm Niles District Library

DEATH OF COL WOOD
Well Known Resident Passed Away Yesterday

    Cornelius L. Wood, aged 66 years, a well known and highly respected citizen of this community, died at his residence, one and one half miles north-west of Niles, at 11 o'clock Sunday morning, from organic heart trouble.  Mr. Wood was born in O'Leary, Ohio, July 12, 1845, his parents moving to Niles a few months later, where he has since resided.
    He leaves a widow and three daughters, Miss Gertrude Wood of Niles, Mrs. H.W. Scott of Buchanan and Mrs. F.H. Klute of Three Oaks, beside a brother and three sisters.
    He was a devoted husband, a kind and indulgent father, and a tender brother.  He believed the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellowmen, who let into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy, and human happiness is following in the footsteps of his master.
    Funeral services will be held at the late residence, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev George Huntington officiating.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery

Wood, Gertrude L.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Miss Gertrude L. Wood
1874-1947

RETIRED TEACHER SUCCUMBS

    Miss Gertrude L. Wood, 73, retired school teacher, died Sunday at 12:45 a.m. at her home, 517 West Main street, where she had been ill for 10 days.
    The daughter of Cornelius and Sarah Wood, she was born Jan. 28, 1874, near Niles, and taught school for 30 years prior to her retirement seven years ago.  For many years she taught third grade in the Muessel school in South Bend.  She was a member of Trinity Episcopal church.
    Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Harry W. Scott, Portage Prairie, and several nieces and nephews.
    Friends may call at the residence where the body was taken from the Swem funeral home in Buchanan.  Service will be conducted Turesday at 2:30 p.m. at the home by Rev. Harry L. Nicholson.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday March 3, 1947, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Hamilton, Margaret Ann

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Margaret Ann Hamilton
Died May 15, 1892

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 16, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Obituary

    Mrs. Margaret Ann Hamilton, widow of the late Edward L. Hamilton, died at the home of her son, E. LaRue Hamilton, yesterday afternoon in the 57th year of her age.  Mrs. Hamilton was a native of Warwick, Mass., and removed with her parents to Michigan when she was a child.  In 1856 she married E.L. Hamilton and removed to a farm in Niles Township.  After her husband's death she came to his city and has lived with her only son.  For several years she had been an invalid, and during the past year and up to the hour of her decease she was a great sufferer.  As long as health and strength permitted she was one of the most hospitable of entertainers and a host of friends will bear cheerful testimony to her many virtues.  The funeral will take place from the family residence on Broadway at 2 p.m. Tuesday.  (Same appeared in Niles Mirror, Wed. May 18, 1892, page 5, col 3.)

and

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, May 16, 1892, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

OBITUARY

    Died, Sunday afternoon, May 15, after a long and painful illness, Mrs. Margaret Ann Hamilton, aged fifty-two years.
    Mrs. Hamilton was born n Warwick, Mass., and came with her parents to St. Joseph, Mich., when a child.  She was married to Edward L. Hamilton in 1856.  Soon after the death of her husband she removed from the farm to this city with her only son, with whom she has since resided.  She has left a large circle of friends and relatives who can testify to her Christian patience and fortitude during her long years of suffering.
    The funeral will be held at the residence of her son, E.L. Hamilton, tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon at 2 o'clock.  (Same appeared in Niles Republican, Thursday, May 19, 1892, page 5, col. 3)

Dreher, Helen E.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Helen E. Dreher
1904-1991

    Funeral services for Helen E. Dreher, 87, 1711 Cedar Street, Niles, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home, by the Rev. William H. Marshall, pastor of the First Baptist Church.
    Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mrs. Dreher died at 10:25 a.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital, following a brief illness.
    She was born March 27, 1904 in Cass County, and lived in Niles since 1946, coming from Benton Harbor.
    A graduate of Dowagiac High School, she was a member of First Baptist Church.
    On Oct. 17, 1922, in Dowagiac, she married Horace L. Dreher, who preceded her in death.
    Survivors include a son Dennis M. Dreher of Lander, Wyoming; a daughter, Cynthia D. Baker of Niles, five grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
    Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 31, 1991, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Hoover, Louise

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
Louise Genevieve Hoover
1921-1991

    Funeral services for Louise Genevieve Hoover, 69, of 1338 Regent Street, Niles, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Halbritter Funeral Home, by the Rev. Donald A. Wieber, pastor of the St. Mark Catholic Church.
    Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mrs. Hoover died at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at her home, following a short illness.
    She was born Dec. 10, 1921, in Chicago, Ill., and lived in Niles most of her life, recently returning from retirement in Florida.
    A retired employee of Arrick's Decor Service.
    She as a member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles.
    On April 25, 1942, in Niles, she married Russell Lee Hoover, who preceded her in death.
    Survivors include a daughter, Diane Louise Hoover of Niles; a son, Dennis Lee Hoover, Sr. of Port Huron; four grandchildren, Scott Lee Hoover, Cordell Lee Hoover, Dennis Lee Hoover, Jr., and Melissa Emmalee Bagwell; three sisters, Catherine Hahn-Feld of Mishawaka, Ind., Margaret Letcher of South Bend, Ind., and Genevieve Bromley of Niles.
    There will be no visitation.
    Memorial contributions may be made to Michigan heart Association.
    Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home.
    
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 31, 1991, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Ryder, Emily

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries
EMILY RYDER
1900-1991

    Funeral services for Emily Ryder, 90, of 911 South Third Street, Niles, will be 4 p.m. Saturday at New Apostolic Church, by the District Evangelist John Lindstedt, of the New Apostolic Church.
    Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
    Mrs. Ryder died at 4 p.m. Thursday at Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.
    She was born Nov. 23, 1900, in Germany, and lived in the Niles area all her life.
    Mrs. Ryder was a member of the New Apostolic Church in Niles.
    On April 14, 1917, in Kalamazoo, she married Rollie J. Ryder, who preceded her in death.
    Survivors include a daughter, Dorothy Guisinger of Jackson; five sons, Rollie Ryder, Jr. of Niles, George Ryder of Niles, Larry Ryder of Niles, Kenneth Ryder of Niles, and Robert Ryder of Lakeland, Fla.; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-five great grandchildren' and nine great-great-grandchildren.
    There will be no visitation.
    Memorial contributions may be made to donor's choice.
    Arrangements handled by Halbritter Funeral Home.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 31, 1991, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Ryder, Rollie J. Sr.

Mary Ellen Drolet Obituaries

ROLLIE J. RYDER, SR.
April 2, 1899-Sept. 25, 1957

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1957, page 2, col 4., microfilm Niles District Library

Rollie J. Ryder, Sr., 58, of 957 Pine Street died Wednesday at 1:25 a.m. in Pawating Hospital following an illness of two months.

Born in Dowagiac on April 2, 1899, he came to Niles 30 years ago.  He was a plumber.

Surviving  are his wife, Emily; two daughters, Mrs. Helen Clark, and Mrs. Dale Guisinger, both of Niles; five sons, Robert, Rollie, Jr., George and Kenneth, all of Niles; and Lawrence, serving with the Navy; a brother, Lyle Ryder, Battle Creek; a sister, Mrs. Howard Dorn, Edwardsburg; and 10 grandchildren.

The body was taken to the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home.


Funeral services for Mr. Ryder, who was a member of the South Bend Odd Fellows, will be held at the New Apostolic Church, 1453 Broadway, at 2 p.m Friday.  The Rev. Hugh Lee will officiate.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

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