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.

Morris, Mary K.

Mary K. Morris
Jan. 5, 1870-Dec. 8, 1970

Mary K. Morris (Whittig), 100, formerly of Berrien Springs, died at 10 a.m. today, Dec. 8, 1970, in the Quick Convalescent Home, Niles.

Born Jan. 5, 1870, in Elkhart, Mrs. Morris had lived in this area all her life. On March 5, 1893, in Niles, she married Clifford Morris, who died in 1953.

Survivors include a son, Lyle of Berrien Springs, a daughter, Mrs. Erwyn Kehrer of Niles; a foster daughter, Mrs. Ruth Cleary of Detroit; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, with the Rev. John R. Wyngarden of the first Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.   

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Morris, Grace R.

Grace R. Morris
June 30, 1905-March 7, 1995

Services for Grace R. Morris, 89, of 325 S. Fifth St., who died at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday  March 7, 1995,  in Woodfield Manor after an illness, will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Saturday in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Halbritter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Morris was born June 30, 1905, in Long Island, N.Y., and had lived in Niles since 1955, coming from Grand Rapids. On June 7, 1955, in Grand Rapids, she married Edward Henry Morris. He died July 7, 1991. Surviving are a sister, Florence Lerm of Grand Rapids; and several nieces. Mrs. Morris was a member of Daughters of the King and its choir. She was a graduate of Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing, Grand Rapids.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Morris, George W.

George W. Morris
March 1, 1825-April 4, 1909

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, April 5, 1909, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

GEORGE W. MORRIS
Venerable Resident of Niles Succumbs After a Short Illness.

    
George W. Morris, octogenarian and one of the oldest residents of Niles passed away Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the home of his son, Ernest D. Morris, 710 south Ninth street.
    Although past 84 years of age Mr. Morris was in excellent general health and his demise was most unexpected.  He was taken ill last Saturday. On Sunday afternoon abut 3 o'clock although still in bed he expressed a desire to read the daily papers and while so engaged he passed away.
    Mr. Morris was born in Rochester, N.Y., March 1, 1825. He came to Niles in 1849 and has resided here almost continuously since.
    In 1851 Mr. Morris was united in marrige[sic] to Miss Jane Loop of Niles. Two sons were born to them, both of whom survive their father. They are E.D. Morris of Niles and A.J. Morris of Brighton, Ia.
    The deceased during his residence here has always enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He was a deep thinker and scholar and during his declining years spent much time reading Greek and translating into that language.  He took a keen interest in all modern inventions and improvements and had many interesting stories to relate of the days when such things were unknown.
    He served his country with active service in the civil war.  He is a member of Frank Graves, Post G.A.R.
    In his younger day, the decease[sic] was a shoemaker but later followed the trade of a carpenter.
    Mr. Morris spent the greater part of the past winter with his son in Iowa and returned to Niles about two weeks ago.
    The funeral will be held from the late residence tomorrow afternoon at 3:30, Rev. W.R. Yonker of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  The remains will be laid to rest at Silver Brook beside those of his late wife who passed away in 1902.
* * *

Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 5, 1909, page 1, col 5, microfilm Niles District Library

GEORGE W. MORRIS IS DEAD.
Well Known Civil War Veteran Passes Away.

George W. Morris, a well known veteran of the civil war, passed away at the home of his son, E.D. Morris, 710 South Ninth Street, April 4, 1909 yesterday afternoon, of heart trouble at the age of 84 years.

Mr. Morris had been a resident of Niles, for many years, having come here in 1849. He was a well read and well posted man and was a Greek scholar.

Mr. Morris leaves two sons, H. A. Morris of Brighton, Iowa, who is expected to arrive her tomorrow morning, and E. D. Morris of this place. The funeral will take place under the auspices of Frank Graves Post, G.A.R., tomorrow afternoon at 3:40 o’clock from the home. Rev. Mr. Barns officiating. Burial will take place at Silver Brook Cemetery.

Morris, Ernest D.

Ernest D.  Morris
1858-May 2, 1915

Word has been received from Alva Morris in Brighton, IA, that on account of being seriously ill, he will be unable to attend the funeral of his brother, Ernest.   Harry, Mr. Morris eldest son, arrived today from Columbia, Mich.  The funeral of Ernest D. Morris (died May 2, 1915) will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the home on Ninth Street, Rev. Geo Huntington officiating.  Interment will be made in Silver Brook Cemetery. The report that the funeral will be private is erroneous. 

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Morris, Edward H.

Edward H. Morris
April 4, 1918-July 7, 1991

Edward H. Morris, 73, of 325 S. Fifth St., died at 7 a.m. Sunday in his home (July 7, 1991) after an illness. Mr. Morris was retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was born April 4, 1918, in Niles. On June 7, 1955, in Grand Rapids, he married Grace R. Dyer. She survives with a sister, Esther Rasmussen of Kalamazoo; and two brothers, Walter G. of Vicksburg, MI, and Harold of Orinda, CA. Mr. Morris was an Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and of its choir. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the church. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Morris, Daisy B.

Daisy B. Morris
Aug. 20, 1864-May 9, 1944

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 10, 1944, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

DAISY MORRIS, 79, TAKEN BY DEATH

Mrs. Daisy B. Morris, 79, lifetime resident of Niles, died in her home at 415 South Ninth street Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 after being seriously ill three weeks.

She was born near Bertrand Aug. 20, 1864, the daughter of David and Dorsey Brown. Her husband, Ernest D. Morris, died in 1915.

Surviving are three sons, Robert and Richard Morris, Niles, and Harry A. Morris, Hamilton, Mont.;  a daughter, Genevieve Morris, at home; a sister, Mrs. Dorsey Brown, Niles; a brother, Frank M. Brown, Mt. Carmel, Ill.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Rites Thursday.

Friends may call at the Rutherford Funeral home, where services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. H.L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Morris was a member of the Trinity Episcopal church, Order of Eastern Star,   Degree  of Honor Lodge and  American Legion Auxiliary.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 12, 1944, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MORRIS FUNERAL

Services for Mrs. Daisy B. Morris, 79, lifetime resident of Niles, who died Tuesday afternoon, were conducted in the Rutherford funeral home this afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. H.L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church.  Pallbearers were Milo Webster, Fred Babcock, Paul Thayer, Lee Babcock, Louis Medders and Richard Morris, Jr.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

Morris, Clifford F.

Clifford F. Morris
Feb. 11, 1862-April 1, 1953

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 1, 1953, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library.

Clifford F. Morris, 91, rural route two, Berrien Springs, a resident of Niles Township, died at 10 a.m. today in his home. He had been ill six weeks.

Morris was born in Warren County, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1862, and came here from New Carlisle, Ind.,  85 years ago.

The former farmer married Mary Whittig in Niles on March 5, 1893.

His widow survives, along with two daughters, Mrs. Erwyn Kehrer of Niles and Mrs. Ruth Cleary of Detroit; one son, Lyle Morris at home; four grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Grace Simpson of Barrington, Ill.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held Friday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe of the Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.