| David William Kessler, 77, of Ridgedale Road, formerly of South Bend, Ind., and Channel Drive, Diamond Lake, Cassopolis, Mich., died Wednesday morning, May 7, 2003, in the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center. David was owner of Kessler Realty, South Bend. He was born on Oct. 5, 1925, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Karl and May (Bartholomew) Kessler, who preceded him in death. He had lived in South Bend for 48 years after coming from St. Joseph, Mich. On July 1, 1975, in Escanaba, Mich., he married Beatrice "Betty" Miles, who died June 21, 1991. A son, Doug, also preceded his father in death in 1974. Surviving is a daughter, Kathy Rehm of Norcross, Ga., and a grandson, Brian Rehm of Norcross. David was a member of the South Bend Board of Realtors, Farm and Land Institute, South Bend Elks Lodge 235, the Musicians Federation, and was a World War II Army veteran. Services will be at 1 p.m. Friday (South Bend time) in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, 289-1000. Interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, Mich. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until services Friday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Northern Indiana Chapter, 108 N. Main, South Bend, IN 46601. |
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.
Ruth M. Kendrick
Nov. 20, 1908-Feb. 3, 2004
Ruth M. Kendrick, 95, Kokomo, Ind., formerly of Niles, Mich., until moving to Kokomo in 1998 to be near her family, died at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, in Waterford Health Campus in Kokomo.
She was born Nov. 20, 1908, in Bellevue, Mich., the daughter of Leslie Clyde and Lora B. (Garity) Martens. She married William Howard Kendrick in Bellevue on June 26, 1937, and he died June 9, 1982.
She was a 1925 graduate of Bellevue High School and a 1929 graduate of Olivet College in Olivet, Mich. She earned her master's degree from Michigan State. She was a history teacher at Niles Junior High School for many years until retiring in 1971.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles where she served as an elder. She was actively involved in a number of clubs over the years, including the Niles Garden Club. During her time in Kokomo, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
She was an accomplished musician having played the cello in high school and college. She remained a fan of classical music throughout her life, and also loved flowers and gardening. She was fortunate to have traveled extensively during her lifetime.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathryn K. Cofield, and her husband, Malvin of Kokomo; one granddaughter, Catha C. Huff, and her husband, Jason of Indianapolis, Ind.; a great-grandson, Jackson P. Huff of Indianapolis; a step-grandson, M. Scott Cofield, and his wife, Jean of Brownsburg, Ind., and their children, Paul, Andrea and Brad; a step-granddaughter, Paige C. Amsler, and her husband, Kevin of Wayzata, Minn., and her sons, Nathan, Trevor and Morgan Funk.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and by a sister, Myrna, who died in infancy.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the First Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson St., Kokomo, with Rev. William O. Emrich officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from noon until time of services. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, with the Rev. Ron Wakeman officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Foundation, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120.
The Fenn & Shirley Mortuary, Kokomo, is in charge of arrangements.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknownGeraldine Marie Kelley
October 6, 1919-July 20, 2006
Geraldine Marie (McCain) Kelley, 86, of Jefferson Street, Merrillville, Indiana, and formerly of Niles, Michigan, died following an illness at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Towne Centre in Merrillville.
Mrs. Kelley was born on October 6, 1919, in Memphis, Tenn., to Henry and Aline (Reed) McCain. She moved to Merrillville in 2003, coming from Niles where she had lived since 1962. Prior to living in Niles, she lived in Oak Lawn, Ill. She had been employed as a secretary for J.R. Lutes Distribution in Niles. Geraldine also worked for Gittleman's Clothing Store and Garrett Laboratory, both in Niles.
Geraldine was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles. She was active in the schools when her children were attending and volunteered at many of the schools. On November 9, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, she married Robert E. Kelley Sr., who died on January 20, 1998. She is survived by their children: a daughter, Patricia (John) Szot of Merrillville, and a son, Robert E. (Theresa) Kelley Jr. of Myakka City, Florida; four grandchildren, Thomas and Kathleen Szot of Merrillville, and Scott and Meaghan Hogan of Myakka City; two brothers, Harding J. McCain of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Calvin McCain of Dallas, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Kelley was preceded in death by two sisters, Celia McCain and Virginia "Nonnie" Strang; and by two brothers, Henry J. and George McCain.
Funeral services for Geraldine M. Kelley will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2006, in Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with The Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will be receiving relatives and friends beginning at 1 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to the Macular Degeneration Research or Alzheimer's Association.
She will be loved and missed by family and friends.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
Betty C. Kelley
July 5, 1925-Sept. 27, 2001
Mrs. Betty C. Kelley, 76, of Walhalla, Mich., formerly of Niles, Mich., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, in Mercy Hospital, Muskegon, Mich.
Betty was born on July 5, 1925, in Niles, to Robert and Lucile (Swartz) Mann, and married Gene Kelley on June 12, 1970, in Lansing, Mich.
Betty was preceded in death by her daughters, Sharon Thompson and Bonnie Praklet; her grandson, Ronald Barnett Jr.; and by her sister, Helene Barnes.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gene; her children, Shirley VanDurmen of Tehachapi, Calif., Vickie Johnson of Granger, Ind., Ronald "Bud" Barnett of Bonita Springs, Fla.; her stepchildren, Gary Kelley of Houston, Texas, Janet Kelley of Tampa, Fla., Kendrick (Sandie) Kelley and Kristi (Raymond) Breashears, all of Lansing; 20 grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; her brothers, Robert Mann of Oceanside, Calif., and Fredrick (Beverly) Mann of Niles; her sisters, Bertha Lifer of Ocala, Fla., Janice Fox and Carol (Donald) Mitchell, all of Niles, and Marjorie (Julian) Papcynski of Berrien Springs, Mich.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Al Bastin of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, at 2 p.m. Monday.
Friends may meet with her family from 2 to 4 p.m. this afternoon, Sept. 30, in the Stephens Funeral Chapel, Scottville, Mich., or on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
Jesse Lee Kelems IV
December 11, 1977-September 25, 2004
Jesse Lee Kelems IV, 26, of Niles, Mich., passed away on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2004, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Jesse was born to Jesse Lee III and Angela Kelems of Niles on Dec. 11, 1977. He was an electrician for Goshen Coach.
He is survived by Ralene Lausch, fiancée of Niles; Saelene C. Kelems, daughter of Niles; Tori Lausch, stepdaughter of Niles; Ryan A. Cowan, brother of Buchanan, Mich.; Jesse L. Jr. and Charlene Kelems, grandparents of Buchanan; Bill and Dorothy Webb, grandparents of Buchanan; Claudia Webb, great-grandmother of Niles; Earl and Letha Bell, great-grandparents of Niles; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services for Jesse will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, in the Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Pastor Bill Pollock of Apostolic Tabernacle, Niles, will be officiating. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, in the Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
Contributions may be made to the Ralene Lausch and Saelene C. Kelems funds.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknownTheora L. Keeys
July 3, 1933-Sept. 28, 2005
Theora L. Keeys Services for Theora L. Keeys, 72, of Cass Street, who died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 in Our Lady of Peace Hospital at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend after an illness, will be at 5 p.m. Saturday in Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where friends may call one hour before services. Halbritter Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Born July 3, 1933.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown
Merle M. Keene
June 26, 1900-November 15, 1994
Merle M. Keene, 94, of Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend, formerly of Niles, died at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1994, in the center. Mrs. Keene was retired from New York Central Railroad. She was born June 26, 1900, in Niles. In 1921, as Merle Sweitzer, she married Harry Keene. He died in 1934. Surviving is a nephew, William Hargreaves of South Bend. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in Halbritter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown