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.

Weaver, Harry Richard

Harry Richard  Weaver
Jan. 3, 1910-Dec. 11, 1933

Journal Era, Thurs. Dec. 14, 1933, page 1; Microfilm Niles District Library

WEAVER FUNERAL TO BE HELD FRIDAY AFTERNOON

 Harry R. Weaver, 23, died at 10:30 o’clock Monday night at the farm home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Weaver, about a mile south of Berrien Springs on US-31 in Berrien township.

 Harry, who had been an invalid for 11 years, was born in Niles, January 3, 1910.    As a child he contracted rheumatism and complications developed.    The family moved from Niles to the Berrien township farm seven years ago.

 Besides the parents, the deceased leaves five brothers and sisters, namely:    Mrs. Pearl Meddo, Berrien Springs; Rosalie, James and Ellsworth, at home, and George, of Michigan City, Ind.

 Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Berrien Springs, Methodist church, the Rev. R.B. Spurlock officiating.    Burial will follow in Silverbrook cemetery at Niles.    Pallbearers are cousins of the deceased.    The body will rest in Clark’s Funeral parlors until the hour of the service. 

 

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, December 13, 1933, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Set Weaver Funeral

Funeral services for Harry Richard Weaver, 23, who died Monday night at his home one mile south of Berrien Springs, will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Methodist Episcopal church, Berrien Springs., the Rev. Raymond B. Spurlock, officiating.  The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silverbrook cemetery.

He was born Jan. 3, 1910, in Niles. He is survived by the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charley E. Weaver; two sisters, Mrs. Edward Meddo, South Bend, Ind. and Rosalie, at home; three brothers, George, Michigan City, Ind., and James and Ellsworth at home.

He attended school in Niles until about seven years old, when he was stricken with an attack of rheumatism. He has been an invalid since.

 

Weaver, Isaac W.

Isaac W. Weaver

1845-1922

I.W. Weaver Dies in South Bend

            Isaac W. Weaver, 77, a former resident of Niles, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L.A. Walker, 537 E. Indiana avenue, in South Bend, at 3:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon.  He had been ill for two years and death was ascribed to euromic[sic] poisoning.

            Mr. Weaver is survived by three children, Mrs. L.A. Walker of South Bend, William N. Weaver of Niles and Mrs. William Young of Coldwater.  He leaves one brother, William N. Weaver, also of Niles.

            Mr. Weaver had lived in South Bend about 13 years, going to that city from Niles.  He was a native of Maryland, having been born near Baltimore, March 16, 1845.  On Nov. 19, 1868, he married Amanda Wagoner at Greenville, Ohio.

            There will be two funeral services.  The first one will be on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. L.A. Walker.  Rev. Edwin G. Meister will officiate.  After this service the body will be brought to Niles to the home of his son, Wm. N. Weaver, 298 Parkway, where another service will be held Thursday afternoon, after which, the body will be taken to Silver Brok[sic] for burial.  (Source: Niles Daily Star-Sun, Tues. Oct. 3, 1922, page 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

 

Weaver, George W.

George W. Weaver
July 15, 1840-April 1, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, April 2, 1912, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

GEORGE W. WEAVER DEAD

Had long been a resident of Niles. Eight children survive.

 

George W. Weaver, a pioneer resident of Niles, died last evening at 5 o'clock at the home his daughter, Mrs. Emma Schaffer on Elm street, after a prolonged illness.

Mr. Weaver was born in Maryland, July 14, 1840.*

He is survived by eight children as follows: Mesdames Henry Steinbauer and Emma Schaffer, Charles, Misses May and Myrtle  Weaver of Niles; Mrs. Ed Jones, Henry and Jesse Weaver, all of Berrien Springs.  Also by three brothers and one sister, John and William Weaver and Mrs. John Burge of Niles; Isaac Weaver of South Bend.

The funeral will be held Thursday under the auspices of Union Camp. W.O.W. of which the deceased was a member.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, April 2, 1912, page 1, microfilm Niles District Library


George W. Weaver, a resident of Niles the past 26 years, ill for some time, died last night at 9 o’clock of abcess[sic] of the brain. He was born in Maryland over 71 years ago.  He was a laborer.  The wife passed away two years ago.  Ten children remain, as follows:

Mrs. Emma Shaffer, Mrs. Henry Steinbauer, Mrs. James Webster, the Misses Myrtle and May Weaver and Chas. Weaver of Niles.; Henry, Isaac and Jesse Weaver and Mrs. Edwin Jones of Berrien Springs.  Deceased was a member of the Woodmen of the World, with a $3,000 insurance. The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. from the home, 108 Elm street, under the auspices of the lodge.  Wm. Putman to officiate.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday,  April 4, 1912, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for George W. Weaver were held at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Emma Shaffer, 108 Elm street, this afternoon at 2 o'clock, under the auspices of the Woodmen of the World.  Rev. William Putnam officiating. Interment at Sliver Brook cemetery.

*Date of birth per Michigan Death Record was July 15, 1840.

Weaver, Fred

Fred Weaver

Died April 20, 1932

Funeral services for Fred Weaver were held this afternoon.  The Rev. M.R. Everett, pastor of the Evangelical church, conducted the services.  Burial was made in Silverbrook cemetery.  Mr. Weaver, who was 83 years of age, died on Wednesday morning in the home of his son in Dowagiac where he had lived for three years after having been a resident of Niles for nearly 50 years.  (Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 22, 1932, page 4, col. 3, Microfilm Niles District Library)

 

Stevens, Thomas L.

Thomas L. Stevens
March 23,1815-May 2, 1891


Obituary

    Thomas L. Stevens died at his home in this city on Saturday, May 2 after a lingering illness.
    He was born at Tyngsboro, Mass., March 23 1815.  Soon after attaining his majority he came to what was then the far west, arriving at Paw Paw in the fall of 1836 and remaining at that place until 1839 when he removed to Berrien Springs.
    At this place in 1845 he was married to Hester B. Kimmell, who survives him.  In 1853 he returned to Paw Paw where he engaged in mercantile and manufacturing pursuits until 1868 when he removed to Niles with the intention of retiring from active business.  Upon the organization of the First National Bank, of Niles, in 1871 he took a prominent part as one of the original incorporators and became the first cashier of the institution.  The connection with it was maintained, first in the capacity of cashier and afterwards as its president until a few months before his death when, debarred by failing health from an active participation in its management, he insisted against the protests of his fellow directors in declining the re-election which was tendered him.
    Mr. Steven's career as a business man was long and honorable.  Identified in his time with many enterprises his prudence, sagacity and conservative management made him uniformly successful in all.
    For many years delicate health forbade any but the most limited participation in social pleasures and it was the good fortune of but few to know him except through the medium of business.  The few who advance beyond mere acquaintanceship and met him on terms of intimacy at his own fireside, found in him a genial companion and a kind friend.  Essentially domestic in his tastes, he was a devoted husband and an indulgent father. .

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Tues. May 5, 1891 page 2, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Gould, Henry Clay

Henry Clay Gould

Died December 21, 1872

Obituary of Henry Clay Gould,

DIED
    Saturday afternoon, Dec. 21st, in this city, HENRY CLAY GOULD, age 29 years, 5 months and 4 days.
    Eight years ago Mr. Gould came to his city.  He remained two years, and then absent a year.  He returned and entered into business as a druggist, and during the past five years he rose into a position of great usefulness and honor.  Though being a young man of only twenty-nine years, his habits of life were of such an excellent character that  became a most influential and highly esteemed citizen.  About eight years ago he received Confirmation at Trinity Church by the Bishop of Michigan, and for a number of years was the leading person in the Sunday School.  In all religious and benevolent work he was ever faithful and efficient.  His prominent traits of character were truthfulness, amiability, and conscientiousness.  For nearly three years he has been a member of the Vestry of Trinity Church.  On the 18th of January, 1872, he was married, the bride being the daughter of the Hon. T.L. Stevens.  One year ago on the 21st of Dec., the same day of the month as his death, a daughter was born, now left fatherless.   On Monday last the burial took place from Trinity Church and was largely attended.  The pew occupied by Mr. Gould was very tastefully trimmed with evergreen and white immortelles.  The preparations for Christmas were evident throughout the church, and were very suggestive of the welcome of the Saviour of the world.  The hymns and chants were rendered very sweetly, especially the twenty-third psalm, and a solemn stillness pervaded the church as the simplicity and beauty of the life and character of the departed were gently and affectionately presented by the Rector.  The Scripture incident of Christ stilling the tempest, particularly the words, "Peace, be still," a subject selected b the deceased, was touchingly applied to the peaceful death after the storms of a severe sickness.  The death is deeply felt by all, but by none more than the parents again called to pass through the fires of an almost crushing affliction.-A profound sympathy has pervaded the community, and the great loss has been deeply realized.  Blessed is the memory of the departed one, and sweet is his rest in Paradise.  (Source:  Niles Democrat, Saturday, December 28, 1872, page 3 col. 4, Microfilm Niles District Library)

Graham, Henry E.

Henry E. "Red" Graham

1872-1949

NILES MAN BURNS TO DEATH IN FIRE

BODY OF HARRY GRAHAM PULLED FROM GRASS FIRE

 

            An elderly Niles man was found burned to death in a grass fire near Plym park Monday afternoon.

            The partially burned body of Henry E. Graham, 76, of 1219 Canal street, was found about 3:30 p.m. lying amid burning grass about 100 feet north of his home.  Members of the Niles high school cross county track team which was training in the area discovered the body.

            Coroner William Pifer retuned a verdict of accidental death.  Niles firemen who answered a call to the scene theorized that Graham had suffered a heart attack and fallen into the flames.

            Graham was born in Buchanan July 2, 1872.  He spent most of his life in Niles and was known familiarly as “Red” Graham.  He was a bachelor and had no immediate survivors.

            Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Pifer Funeral home.  The Rev. L. George Beacock will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.  (Source: 

Niles Daily Star, Tues., April 12, 1949, page 1, Microfilm Niles District Library)