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.

McLaughlin, Audra Esther

Audra E. McLaughlin
Nov. 19, 1908-April 12, 2006

Mrs. Audra Esther McLaughlin, 97, of Parkway, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2006, in her home.

She was born on November 19, 1908, in Decatur, Indiana, to Stewart LeRoy and Viola (Daugherty) Everhart. She was raised in Dowagiac, Michigan, and came to Niles as a young lady, living in the same house since 1936. She was employed by the National-Standard Company of Niles for 28 years, retiring in 1972.

Mrs. McLaughlin enjoyed the outdoors, feeding birds and animals in her yard, and fishing and mushroom hunting. She also enjoyed baking and cooking for others, and going shopping and going out to lunch.

The family's pet dogs held a special place with her, especially the Dachshunds.

On December 1, 1928, in South Bend, Indiana, she was married to Raymond W. McLaughlin. They were able to celebrate the 66th anniversary of that marriage before he preceded her in death on June 2, 1995. She was also preceded in death by a son, Kenneth McLaughlin in 1933; two brothers, Marcel and Paul Everhart; and by a sister, Frances Runyon.

Surviving family include two daughters, Evelyn Hughes of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Jean McLaughlin and her husband, Joseph Chalhoub of Edgewater; a son, Walter (Mary) McLaughlin of Niles; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Audra E. McLaughlin will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 17, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Chaplain Phil Apol of Hospice at Home officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. McLaughlin may be made to Hospice at Home.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McLauchlin, Clarence Edgar

Clarence E. McLauchlin
Aug. 10, 1909-July 15, 2000

Mr. Clarence Edgar "Mac" McLauchlin, 90, of Silverbrook Avenue, Niles, Mich., died at 12:35 p.m., Saturday, July 15, 2000, in the Oakcrest Manor Adult Foster Care, Spring Lake, Mich., following a brief illness.

He was born on August 10, 1909, in Cassopolis, Mich., to Albert David and Emily Elizabeth (Bartholomew) McLauchlin. He was graduated in 1928, from Marcellus (Mich.) High School, where he had been a member of the Baseball and Football teams. The same year he moved to Niles, where he lived the rest of his life. He was retired in 1974, from the National-Standard Company, Niles, after 33 years of employment.

Mr. McLauchlin had been a member of the former Church of the Savior, Niles, a member of the Hammond Organ Club, and was the oldest surviving officer of the B.P.O of Niles Elks #1332. He always enjoyed camping with friends, dancing, and more recently had been practicing carpentry in his home shop.

On December 31, 1933 in Niles he was married to the former Marie Emily Holloway, with whom he celebrated the sixty-fifth anniversary of their wedding, prior to her death on March 30, 1999. He was also preceded in death by five brothers, Ellery, Lemi, Myron, Glen and Marcus McLauchlin; and by an infant sister.

He is survived by his son and his wife, Larry H. and Sharon L. McLauchlin of Graand Haven, Michigan; three grandsons, Mark, Todd & Kirk McLauchlin; and by four great grandchildren, Kyle, Jarred, Justin and Kristin McLauchlin.

Funeral services for Mr. Clarence E. McLauchlin will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2000, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Leon Roggen of Niles officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. McLauchlin may be made to the Hospice of Grand Haven.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McKibbin, LaVoid Irvin, Sr.

LaVoid McKibbin Sr.
Oct. 3, 1933-April 15, 2003

Mr. LaVoid Irvin "Curly" McKibbin Sr., 69, of Redfield Street, Niles, Mich., died at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2003 in his home. His passing was unexpected but of natural causes.

He was born Oct. 3, 1933, in Elkhart, Ind., to DeWayne Daniel and Lois Ruth (Dettweiler) McKibbin, and had lived in this area most of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Leota Davis.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army. As a member of Teamster's Union Local 364, South Bend, Ind., he was employed by the local Bendix Trucking division until it was closed, and then drove for Mohawk Flush Doors.

Mr. McKibbin chose as an adult to complete his education, and was graduated from Brandywine High School in 1979. He also chose Christianity and was baptized in the same ceremony with his grandson in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, where he became a member. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening, but his greatest joy was his grandson.

On July 14, 1956, in Elkhart, he was married to the former Dorris Elizabeth Schaen, who survives. He is also survived by their children, Lois McKibbin-Cooper (Kelly Cooper) of Niles, Esther (Thomas) Nowicki of Mishawaka, Ind., and LaVoid (Kris) McKibbin Jr. of Dowagiac, Mich.; grandson, Daniel Greenwood Nowicki; and by his brothers and sisters, Ralph McKibbin of Homosassa Springs, Fla., Benjamin McKibbin of Sarasota, Fla., Arthur McKibbin of Virginia, DeWayne D. McKibbin Jr. of Bradenton, Fla., Grace Christie of Sarasota and Lola Poneleit of Bradenton.

Funeral services for LaVoid I. McKibbin Sr. will be at 10 a.m. today, April 19, in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of the church officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the veteran's flag presentation by American Legion Post 26 Commander John McLaughlin.

The family has received friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 18, in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. McKibbin may be made to the organization of the donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McKibbin, Helen M. (Miller)

Helen M. McKibbin
Nov. 30, 1917-March 14, 2005

Helen M. McKibbin, 87, of White Street, Niles, died Monday (March 14, 2005) in Gillead Elder Care, Berrien Springs, after an illness. She was born Nov. 30, 1917. Survivors include a daughter, Carolyn Churchill of Cheboygan, Mich.; two sons, Dave Richey of Decatur and Gary Richey of Cassopolis; and three brothers, Paul Miller, Peter Miller and Dick Miller, all of Niles. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Halbriter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McKee, Mary Ann (Franz)

Mary Ann McKee
March 26, 1894-Dec. 13, 1906

Death of Mrs. Myron McKee.

Sad and premature taking off of an estimable woman. 

Mrs. Myron McKee of West Niles, passed peacefully away at 1 o’clock (Dec. 13, 1906), last night after a lingering illness with tuberculosis. The deceased was in the very prime of life, being only 36 years of age. She survived by a husband and two children; also two brothers, Fred and Scott Franz of this city, and two sisters, Mesdames Kate McKune of Sister Lakes, and Otto Kolloff of Galien. The funeral will take place from the Methodist church at 2 o’clock next Sunday afternoon. The remains will be laid at rest in Silverbrook cemetery. The deceased was an estimable woman, who was popular with a wide circle of friends, whose sympathy is with the bereaved husband and children. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McIntyre, Edith F. (Matthews)

Edith F. McIntyre
March 24, 1910-March 2, 1999

Edith F. McIntyre, 88, formerly of 1331 Maple Street, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, March 2,  1999, at the Lakeland Continuing Care Center, Berrien Center, Mich.

She was born on March 24, 1910, at Summitville, Tenn., to Chester and Ida (Bradshaw) Matthews, and had lived here since 1926, coming from Coffee County, Tenn.

Mrs. McIntyre retired in 1969 from the Simplicity Pattern Company, Niles, following 25 years of service.

She attended the First Baptist Church, Niles, with Mr. McIntyre, and Wesley United Methodist Church, also in Niles, with Mr. Crumb.

Mrs. McIntyre had traveled extensively in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. She practiced outdoor activities including fishing, small game hunting, archery and gardening. She had also bowled in area leagues. Mrs. McIntyre enjoyed sewing for all of her family, and was proud to use Simplicity clothing patterns.

On Dec. 5, 1930, in Niles, she first married George Elmer Crumb, who died on Jan. 6, 1968. She was also preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Patricia Keiser, who died on Dec. 23, 1997; a stepson, Clarence J. McIntyre, who died on Jan. 12, 1996; and by eight sisters and brothers.

On June 28, 1975, in Niles, she married Clarence W. McIntyre, who survives.

She is also survived by a daughter, Betty Nieb of Denver, Colo.; a stepson, James McIntyre of Wichita, Kan.; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and by a daughter-in-law, Patricia A. McIntyre, who provided her care.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Nolan R. Williams of Wesley United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. McIntyre may be made to Alzheimer's Disease, to the Niles Community Library, or to the charity of donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McIntire, Jessie L.

Jessie L. McIntire
Sept. 19, 1910-Aug. 30, 2000

Jessie L. McIntire, 89, of 2615 U. S. 31 North, Lot 58, Niles, Mich., died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000,  in Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Niles, of natural causes.

She was born on Sept. 19, 1910, in Vandalia, Mich. She was a homemaker, played bingo, made dolls and crochet.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Bright in 1967; a daughter, Donna Mae Clements; and by two sons, Kenny Bright and Michael Raynes.

She was also married to John McIntire, but later divorced.

She is survived by three daughters, Ruth F. Smith of South Bend, Ind., Connie Baxter of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Kathy Payton of Little Rock, Ark.; four sons, Donald W. Bright, Jr., Kenneth McIntire and Michael McIntire, all of Niles; and John McIntire of South Bend; a sister, Mary Bybee of Niles; a brother, Charles Lintz; and by 21 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Pifer/SMITH Funeral Home, Niles, with burial at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 4, in the Pifer/SMITH Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donors choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown