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.

Thomson, Samuel

Samuel Thomson
1798-December 25, 1882

Niles Democrat, Sat. Dec 30, 1882, page 3, col. 3

SAMUEL THOMSON, Esq., died at his home in Niles township on Christmas Day.

Samuel Thomson was in the 85th year of his age. Mr. Thomson was a native of Scotland, having been born near the city of Glascow[sic], in April, 1798. He removed to Niles in 1844 and purchased a farm on the west side, in Niles Township, where he resided until his death. He possessed a vigorous mental and physical organization, and maintained a character for strict honesty, unswerving integrity and uncompromising Christian character. In religion, he was a strong pillar in the Presbyterian church; in politics, he was a staunch democrat, and having after mature deliberation adopted a principle, he remained steadfast in that belief to the end. For nearly 40 years he was a constant subscriber to the DEMOCRAT, and was one of the most prompt of our patrons. As a husband and father and as a neighbor and citizen, his presence and counsel will be sadly missed notwithstanding his extreme age. He was buried in Silver Brook cemetery on Wednesday.

also

Berrien County Record, Thurs. Dec. 28, 1882, page 3

Mr. Samuel Thompson, for 38 years a resident of Niles township, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, died at his home Monday, in his 85th year.

Tomlinson, Rachael (Huff)

Rachael (Huff) Tomlinson

1872-1952

Deaths, Rachael Tomlinson, 79

Rachael Tomlinson, of 1103 Hickory street, died Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the
Smith Rest home in Three Oaks following a month's illness.
Funeral services will be held in the Pifer funeral home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday,
with the Rev. Ray L. McCoy, of the Baptist church, officiating. Burial will be
in Silverbrook cemetery.

Survivors include: a son Harold H. (Slim) Tomlinson, of this city; a brother,
George Huff, also of here; a sister, Ella Shockley, of Niles; and a grandchild.
Her husband, Alton, died in 1941.

Mrs. Tomlinson was born in Buchanan Aug. 6, 1872, and spent most of her life in
this area.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 20, 1952, p. 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Tomlinson, Harold H. "Slim"

Harold H. "Slim" Tomlinson
March 23,1901-Feb. 16, 1978

Niles Daily Star, Sat. Feb. 18, 1978, page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library

PLANT CITY, Fla.—Funeral services were scheduled for today at 2 p.m. here for Harold H. Tomlinson, formerly of Niles. He died Thursday at 5 a.m. at the South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.

Mr. Tomlinson, of Route 10, Box 2398, Plant City, moved to Florida in 1972 from Niles. He was the retired owner of Slim’s Garage.

Mr. Tomlinson was born March 23, 1901, in Buchanan. He was a life member of the Niles Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Edna Casper Tomlinson, a daughter, Mrs. Charles Burgess of Crestwood, Mo., and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Plant City. Burial is to be in the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. The Halbritter Funeral Home is handling the local arrangements.

Tomlinson, Alton Monroe

Alton Monroe Tomlinson
October, 16, 1874-May 18, 1941

Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 19, 1941, p. 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

A. M. TOMLINSON,, NILES RESIDENT 20 YEARS, IS DEAD

Alton Monroe Tomlinson, 1138 Fort street, died Sunday night at 6 in Berrien Center after an illness of two years. He was a member of the Baptist church and the Modern Woodman of America.

Mr. Tomlinson was born October 17, 1874 in Buchanan and come to Niles 20 years ago. He was married July 27, 1898 in Buchanan to Rachel Huff who survives.

He is also survived by a son, Harold; a grandchild, Catherine Jane; an aunt, Mrs. D.D. Pangborn and a niece Mrs. Clyde Catterlin, all of Niles, and a sister, Mrs. Alta Boyer, Seattle, Wash. He was a machinist.

Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home where services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2. The Rev. Floyd Johnson will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

 

Herkimer, John

John Herkimer
Died March 31, 1906

John Herkimer, residing five miles southwest of the city, died this morning at 5 o’clock at his home. The deceased was about 42 years of age and died from chronic valvular heart trouble, with which he has suffered for several months.

He leaves a wife and two children, besides a sister, Mrs. James Thomson, residing west of Niles; a brother, Dr. C.R. Herkimer of Dowagiac, and a mother, Mrs. J. Herkimer, who resided with him. The deceased was born here and has always lived in this vicinity. The funeral will take place from the house Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. C.E. Marvin of the Presbyterian church officiating. The body will like in state all day Tuesday. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Sat. March 31, 1906, page 3, col. 3)

Blanchard, Rebecca

Rebecca Blanchard
Nov. 6, 1868-Feb. 1, 1958

Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 3, 1958, page 2, col. 4,  microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. REBECCA BLANCHARD

            Mrs. Rebecca Blanchard, 89, of 839 North 11th Street, died at 12:25 p.m. Saturday in the Quick Convalescent Home here following an illness of several years.  Her Husband, Edward, died in 1945.

            Mrs. Blanchard was born Nov. 6, 1868, in New York State and came to Niles 50 years ago from Berrien Springs.

Surviving are:  two sons, Wilbur E. and Lewis E. Blanchard, both of Niles; four daughters: Mrs. Edgar Adams, Mrs. Robert Badgero and Mrs. George Fink, all Niles, and Mrs. Frank Ribble, Mishawaka, Ind.; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger-Halbritter Funeral Home here with the Rev. John MacLachlan, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home.

 

Drolet, Louis P.

Louis P. Drolet
May 14, 1925-May 19, 1993

DROLET, RETIRED PHARMACIST, DIES IN NILES


    Niles--Retired pharmacist and former city alderman Louis P. Drolet, 68, of 1401 Broadway St., died Wednesday evening at his home.
    Drolet was a second-ward Alderman and was owner of Drolet's Main Oak Pharmacy.  He also owned Drolet's mini mall and Drolet properties.
    Funeral services for Drolet are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark Catholic Church with the Rev. Staley E. Sulka, pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church, officiating.
    Born May 14, 1925, in Buchanan, he was a lifetime area resident.
    On June 5, 1948, he married Donna P. Drolet, who survives.
    He was a registered pharmacist and was an alderman from 1978-1982.  He represented the city of Niles on the Southwestern Michigan Commission.
    Drolet was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy.
    He was twice past president of the Niles Lions Club.  He was active in the Lions Club Leader Dog Committee for many years.  He was a member of the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post 26 in Niles and St. Mark Catholic Church.
    Survivors include five daughters, Mary Ellen Drolet of Niles, Martha Watrud of Middleton, Wisc., Margaret Hansen of Niles, Marla Stuver of Niles and Marissa Ryder of Niles; eight grandchildren; a sister, Mary Reilly of Flint and three brothers, Alfred Drolet of Phoenix, Daniel Drolet of Battle Creek and George Drolet of Phoenix.
    Friends may call Friday after 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home.  A Rosary service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
    Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Lions Club or "Support the Fort."

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 20, 1993, page 1, col. 1 and Friday, May 21, 1993, page 2. Microfilm Niles District Library)