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.

Lambert, Julie A. (Maddron)

Julia A. (Maddron) Lambert
July 9, 1890-July 25, 1941

Julia Lambert

Niles Resident 46 years, dies 

Mrs. Julie A. Lambert resident of Niles 46 years, died Friday July 25, 1941 at 10 in her home at 998 Platt Street. She had been ill nine months of cancer.

Mrs. Lambert was born July 9, 1890, in Buchanan and came to Niles when she was five years old. She was a member of the Old Faith Assembly Church.

She is survived by her husband, Howard Lambert; four children, Albert Weaver and Mrs. Loretta Arnold, Niles and Earl Weaver and Mrs. Lillian Brand, Elkhart, Ind.; four sisters, Mrs. Gratina McOmber and Mrs. Pearl Causey, Niles, and Mrs. Caroline Haines and Mrs. Grace Purdy, South Bend; three brothers, Charles Maddron, Niles, Elsa Maddron, Benton Harbor, Ernest Maddron, Bertrand and three grandchildren. Friends may call at the Rutherford Funeral Home where services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 3:30. Mrs. Ruth Lunch will officiate at the services and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Lakes, Steven Scott

Steven Scott Lakes
Nov. 28, 1967-March 26, 2000

Mr. Steven Scott Lakes, 32, formerly of Miller Drive, Niles, Mich., died at 1:53 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2000,  in the exercise room of his apartment community in Carrollton, Texas. The circumstances of the death are under investigation.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1967, in Niles, to Gail Wentz and Terrance Renaud, and lived in Niles most of his life. He attended Brandywine schools and LaSalle High School, South Bend, Ind. He was active in wrestling at both schools, winning many competitions. He was employed by the Niles Precision Company for several years, and had been employed by the Eaton Corporation for the past three years. He was transferred by Eaton to Dallas in September 1999.

Steve was active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Niles, and enjoyed riding motorcycles, especially cross-country, and skydiving. He collected many types of music-associated memorabilia, often won radio call-in contests about music trivia, and was proficient on the guitar, sitting in on casual performances in the area.

He was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed. They include his mother, Gail (Steve) Crocker of Niles; his adoptive father, Ron Lakes of Niles; grandparents, Lorraine Wentz of Mishawaka, Ind., and Dillard and Dorothy Crocker of Niles; sister, Denise Connell of Niles; half brother and sister, Phil Renaud and Alisha Renaud of Mishawaka; stepbrother and sister, Todd Crocker and Stephanie Crocker of Niles; and by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services for Mr. Steve Lakes will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 31, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Daniel D. Miller of First Missionary Church, Niles, officiating. Committal services will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, March 30, in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Steve may be made to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass Counties.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

LaGue, Chester Loyd

Chester Loyd LaGue
Feb. 5, 1920-March 28, 2001

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 29, 2001, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Chester Loyd LaGue, 81, of 1260 South Thirteenth Street, Niles, are Monday at 10 a.m. At First Church of Christ—Christian, Niles, by the Rev. Lowell Black of First Church of Christ-Christian.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

LaGue Died Wednesday at 5 a.m. At Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.

He was born Feb. 5, 1920, in Benten county, Ind., to LeeRoy and Pearl Hands LaGue. He had lived in Niles for 20 years, coming from South Bend, Ind.

On July 29, 1995, in Niles, he married Audrey D. (VanDyke) Miller LaGue, who survives him in Death.

LaGue retired 19 years ago from Denny's Restaurant in Roseland, Ind. He was a member of First Church of Christ-Christian in Niles. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Marines Corps in the Pacific Islands and in Iceland and was a member of American Legion Post 1611, Mishawaka. He enjoyed going to Florida and liked to watch wrestling.

In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by: two daughters, Janette Jergensen of South Bend, Ind. and Tina Marie Gassiecki of South Bend, Ind.; two sons, John LaGue of California and David P. LaGue of California; four grandchildren; two step-daughters, Theresa Nash of Titusville, Fla. and Torene Miller of Niles; a step-son, Thomas Miller of Melbourne, Fla.; a brother, Floyd F. LaGue of Vero Beach, Fla.; and five sisters, Thelma Goetz of Fowler, Ind., Irene Pettyjohn of Fowler, Ind., Catherine Jones of Monticello, Ind., Darlene Kenny of Hillsboro, Ind. And Angeline LaGue of Lafayette, Ind.

Friends may call from 2 pm. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Full military honors will take place at the graveside by VFW Post 360 and American Legion Post 161, both of Mishawaka, Ind.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

 

 

Also:

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Chester Loyd LaGue, 81, of South Thirteenth Street, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2001, in Silverbrook Manor, Niles.

He was born Feb. 5, 1920, in Benten County, Ind., to LeeRoy and Pearl (Hands) LaGue, and had lived in Niles for twenty years, coming from South Bend, Ind.

Mr. LaGue was a veteran of World War II serving as a tech sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Islands and Iceland. After being wounded he was sent to Melbourne, Australia, to recuperate.

He retired nineteen years ago from Denny's Restaurant in Roseland, Ind., as a chief cook.

Mr. LaGue was a member of First Church of Christ-Christian in Niles and American Legion Post 161, Mishawaka, Ind. He liked to watch wrestling, and enjoyed wintering in Florida.

On July 29, 1995, in the rose garden of the bride in Niles, he married the former Audrey D. (VanDyke) Miller, who survives. The Reverend Lowell Black of First Church of Christ-Christian performed the cemetery.

Mr. LaGue is also survived by his children, Janette Jergensen and Tina Marie Gassiecki of South Bend, and John and David P. LaGue of California; four grandchildren; stepdaughters, Theresa Nash of Titusville, Fla., and Torene Miller of Niles; stepson, Thomas Miller of Melbourne, Fla.; brother, Floyd F. LaGue of Vero Beach, Fla.; sisters, Thelma Goetz and Irene Pettyjohn of Fowler, Ind., Catherine Jones of Monticello, Ind., Darlene Kenny of Hillsboro, Ind., and Angeline LaGue of Lafayette, Ind.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 2, in First Church of Christ-Christian, with the Reverend Lowell Black officiating.

Following the graveside committal service at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, full military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 360 and American Legion Post 161, both of Mishawaka.

The family will receive friends in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Mr. LaGue may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

He will be missed so very, very much by all who knew and loved him.

Altho your smiles have gone and your hands we cannot touch, we thank God for precious memories, of the one we loved so much, It breaks our hearts to loose you ,but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God called you home, God knows how much we'll miss you, your memories shall never fade,our thoughts will always wander

to the spot where you were laid.

Love You Forever,

Audrey Dorene LaGue & Family

 

   

Lacy, Ruby H. (Clark)

Ruby H. Lacy
April 11, 1926-March 17, 2006

Ruby H. (Clark) Lacy, 79, Clarendon Ave, Niles, passed away Friday March 17, 2006. at Lakeland Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

Ruby was born on April 11, 1926. in Jefferson City, Missouri. to the late Thurman and Clara (Henderson) Clark.

In 1935 Ruby married David F. Lacy in Parma, Missouri. The couple divorced but remained friends throughout her life. In 1967. she married Jonas L. Lacy at a ceremony in Niles, MI.

Ruby was a good mom, a good grandmother and a great friend to all. She never had an unkind word about anyone. She will be missed greatly by everyone whose life she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jonas L. Lacy.

Ruby is survived by two sons; David (Sandra) Lacy of Rochester, N.H., and Ivan (Ellen) Lacy of Milton, NH, three daughters; Geri (Robert) Fredericks of Niles, Mary (Bud) Dodd of South Bend, IN and Evelyn (Craig) Robbins of Niles, 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and a sister Mary (Sam) Gowen and a very special friend-sister-in-law Goldie Burks.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday March 21, 2006 at 1 p.m. in Brown Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Smith officiating. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles (formerly Pifer~Smith Funeral Home).

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kupper, Rose Ernestine

Rose Ernestine Kupper
Oct. 23, 1911-Feb. 2, 1994

Rose Ernestine Kupper, 82, of 1105 N. 13th St., Niles,  died at 11:25 a.m. Wednesday Feb. 2, 1994, in Pawating Hospital after an illness. Mrs. Kupper was born Oct. 23, 1911, in South Bend. On Jan. 3, 1935, in South Bend, she married Richard Kupper. He died Jan. 12, 1989. Surviving are two daughters, Amelia R. Richmond and Kathryn Horvath, both of Niles; a son, Richard H. of Niles; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Carl Schneck of Niles.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kuehn, John C. Jr.

John C. Kuehn Jr.
Sept. 22, 1940-June 22, 2008

John C. “Jack” Kuehn Jr. 67, of Hyrne Avenue, Niles, died at 6:05 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2008, in his home following an extended illness.

Mr. Kuehn was born on September 22, 1940, in Niles to John Carl and Ruth Edna (Willard) Kuehn Sr. He graduated from Niles High School and was a lifelong resident of Niles. Jack owned and operated J&R Snack Bar in Niles.

Jack was a founding member of Huntly Memorial Baptist church in Niles. He enjoyed Chicago Cubs baseball and University of Notre Dame football.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kubiak, William

William "Butch" Kubiak
Jan. 22, 1938-March 20, 2002

William "Butch" Kubiak, 64, of Stateline Road, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 5:53 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2002,  in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.

Mr. Kubiak was born Jan. 22, 1938, in Niles, to Leo and Mary Jo (Wiatrolik) Kubiak, and was a lifetime resident of Niles.

He graduated from Saint Mary School in Niles, was a member of the Class of 1956 at Niles High School, and attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. He played football for Niles High School, Ferris State, and the U.S. Army.

Mr. Kubiak continued in his father's footsteps by owning and operating Kubiak's Tavern, the oldest tavern in Michigan, owned by the same family since 1933.

He attended Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves. Mr. Kubiak enjoyed spending time with his family, grandsons, at the family cottage, and fishing.

On Jan. 25, 1964, in Niles he married the former Ellen Rose Armstrong. who survives. Their daughter and her husband, Diane C. and Daryl Janowiak of Niles; grandsons, Hunter J. and Connor W. Janowiak; and a brother and his wife, James and Kathleen Kubiak of Niles, also survive him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, in Saint Mary Catholic Church, with the Reverend William T. Melody of Notre Dame, Ind., officiating.  Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with veteran's flag presentation and taps by Harry Roberts of American Legion Post 26 in Niles following the committal services at the graveside.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. today.

Contributions in memory of William Kubiak may be made to the Niles Community Library.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown