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.

Krueger, Sally Ann (Lathrope)

Sally Ann Krueger
Dec. 27, 1938-Sept. 2, 2007

Sally Ann Krueger, 68, of Airport Road,  Niles, died following a brief illness at 9:08 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

Mrs. Krueger was born on December 27, 1938, in Galien Township, to Robert and Marion Lillian (Mitchell) Lathrope. She had lived all of her life in the Niles-Buchanan area and graduated from Buchanan High School. Sally retired in 2002 after 39 years of service at the Simplicity Pattern Company.

Sally was a member of the Women's Service League at Simplicity. She enjoyed music and traveling, especially to Nashville and Branson, enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and crocheting. She was a Notre Dame football fan, and enjoyed attending family sports activities.

On October 13, 1948, in Niles, she married Henry N. Krueger, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Christopher (Carol) King of Niles; a daughter, Pamela (Brad) Cross of Niles; three grandchildren, Angie (Toby) Mann, Amy (Andy) Chodzinski and Matthew Cross; a great-grandson, Blake Mann; a brother, Johnny Manley of Pueblo, CO; and a sister, Laura Nason of Niles.

Mrs. Krueger was preceded in death by a brother, George Manley, and a sister, Roberta Krueger.

The funeral service for Sally Ann Krueger will be at 11 a.m. Friday, September 7, in Halbritter Funeral Home, with Rev. R. Allan Poage of Niles officiating. Committal service will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Sally may be made to the Secret Sister Society to encourage screening for breast cancer.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Krueger, Lorene (Culver)

Lorene Krueger
May 10, 1913-March 27, 2006

Lorene (Culver) Krueger, 92, of Birch Lakeview Drive, Vandalia, Michigan, died at 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2006.  in Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis, Michigan, following an extended illness.

Mrs. Krueger was born on May 10, 1913, in Coldwater, Michigan, to Dr. Bert W. and Louise (Clizbe) Culver. She moved from Coldwater to Niles in 1936, and moved to the lake in 1976. Lorene graduated from Albion (Michigan) College. She taught art in Niles Community Schools for several years.

Lorene was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles. She was also a member of the Cosmopolitan Club, Niles Service League and the Niles Garden Club. She volunteered at Fernwood Botanic Gardens and enjoyed gardening at home.

On June 26, 1940, in Coldwater, she married Lloyd H. Krueger, who died on May 10, 1987.

She is survived by their two daughters, Martha (& Thomas) Athanas of Niles and Phyllis Beck of Carbondale, Illinois; four grandchildren and three great-granddaughters.

Mrs. Krueger was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

A memorial service for Lorene M. Krueger will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

There will be no visitation. Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to Fernwood Botanic Garden.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Krueger, Bill E.

Bill E. Krueger
Dec. 27, 1955-June 9, 1994

Services for Bill E. ''Billy-Jean'' Krueger, 38, of 2230 E. Main St.,  Niles, who died at 2 p.m. Thursday,  June 9, 1994, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

Mr. Krueger was employed with Georgie Boy Manufacturing Inc., Edwardsburg. He was born Dec. 27, 1955, in Niles, and was a lifelong area resident. On July 22, 1991, in Niles, he married Phyllis A. Cole. She survives, with two stepdaughters, Wilma Bowling and Tammy Beavo, both of Niles; a stepson, Buddy Beavo of Niles; four granddaughters; his mother, Norma L. Krueger of Niles; a sister, Lorraine K. Gaul of Vallejo, Calif.; and two brothers, Fred L. and Scott E., both of Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kroll, Beulah E. (Vaughn)

Beulah E. Kroll
March 29, 1916-Aug. 19, 2004

Beulah E. Kroll, 88, of Michigan 62 South, Edwardsburg, Mich., passed away at 3:25 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, in Laurels of DeKalb Nursing Home, Butler, Ind.

She was born March 29, 1916, in Wolverine, Mich., the daughter of the late Millard and Fannie Mae (Adkins) Vaughn.

On May 29, 1954, she married Herman F. Kroll in Niles, Mich. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1990.

She is survived by a nephew, William Jann of Spencerville, Ind., who took care of her for the last nine years. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Beulah was a homemaker of her own home and managed Wygant Dry Cleaners, Niles, for seven years. She was a graduate of Edwardsburg High School and a member of the former Adamsville United Methodist Church.

Services will be at noon (Michigan time) Monday, Aug. 23, in the Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, where friends may call two hours before services. The Rev. Jeff Reese, pastor of the Hope United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 624, Edwardsburg, MI 49112.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Krisher, Harold R.

Harold R. "Dick" Krisher
June 19, 1925-Jan. 4, 1996

Private services for Harold R. ''Dick'' Krisher, 70, of 314 N. Sixth St., Niles, who died at 12:20 a.m. Thursday Jan. 4, 1996, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, after an illness, will be later. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity.

Mr. Krisher worked at National-Standard Co. for 15 years. He was born June 19, 1925, in Huntington, Ind. Surviving are two daughters, Donna Santana of Niles and Katherine Acevedo of Kissimmee, Fla.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis J. Davis of Niles; and a brother, Robert G. of Niles.  Mr. Krisher was a Navy veteran of World War II.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 and Disabled American Veterans.

 Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kraft, Lavella I. (Gray)

Lavella I. Kraft
April 15, 1919-April 20, 2005

Lavella I. "Vella" Kraft, 86, formerly of Grand Avenue, Niles, Mich., died of a brief illness in Saint Joseph Hospital East, Lexington, Ky., on Wednesday, April 20, 2005.

Mrs. Kraft was born on April 15, 1919, in Sullivan, Ind., to James Luther and Edna Grace (Nash) Gray. She had lived in Niles since 1940, coming from Buchanan, Mich. She was a former employee of Electro-Voice in Buchanan.

On June 22, 1940, in Niles, she married Raymond W. Kraft, who preceded her in death on Feb. 26, 2001.

Mrs. Kraft is survived by their daughter, Sharon R. (Ron) Brown of Winchester, Ky.; a grandson, Chard (Terri) Williams; a granddaughter, Carrie (Phillip) Gonzales; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald Gray of Owosso, Mich.; and one sister, Betty Syson of Niles.

Funeral services for LaVella L. Kraft will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 25, 2005, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Vella Kraft may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kozelka, Kenneth

Kenneth Kozelka
March 9, 1925-Nov. 20, 1994

Kenneth Kozelka, 69, of 902 Michigan St., Niles, died at 6:06 p.m. Sunday Nov. 20, 1994,  in Pawating Hospital after an illness. Mr. Kozelka formerly was employed at Kawneer Corp. He was born March 9, 1925, in Chicago and had lived in the Niles area for most of his life. On Sept. 1, 1946, in Douglas County, Nev., he married Stella M. Stasiak. She survives with a daughter, Patricia Hunsberger of Granger; a son, Raymond of Moreno Valley, Calif.; and five grandchildren. Mr. Kozelka was a member of John McLaughlin American Legion Post 26, Bertrand Post 116 and 40 & 8, Voiture Locale 983 (honorary veterans). He was an Army veteran of World War II.

Services will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home, where members of the American Legion will conduct a flag presentation. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown