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.

Hinegardner, Frank L.

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Frank L. Hinegardner
Sept. 17, 1933-May 28, 1999

Frank L. Hinegardner, 65, of 2114 Lewis Drive, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 1999, at his home.

He was born in Cando, N.D., on Sept. 17, 1933, to Rueben Lewis Hinegardner and Gladys Gertrude Cramer, and was a lifetime resident.

Mr. Hinegardner retired as a locomotive engineer from the Conrail Railroad in Elkhart, Ind., in 1995, after 43 years of service. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Niles. He enjoyed traveling and spending his spare time camping.

On Oct. 10, 1970, he married the former Dorothy A. Horner, who survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Cindy (Frank) Byrne of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Dawn (Robert) Camfield of Lawton, Mich.; five sons, Frank ''Skip'' (Karen) Hinegardner of Fishers, Ind., Brian (Kathy) Hinegardner of Elkhart, John (Cheryl) Hinegardner of Edwardsburg, Mich., Mike (Laura) Hinegardner and David (Sherry) Hinegardner, both of Niles; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara (David) Bicard of Niles; and by two nieces and a nephew.

Funeral services for Mr. Hinegardner will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with The Reverend Al Bastin of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Hinegardner may be made to Hospice at Home or to the church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Hill, Skye Morgan

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Skye Morgan Hill
Jan. 20, 2005-March 3, 2005

Skye Morgan Hill, the daughter of Carlton Grant and Carrie Lynn Hill, age one month and thirteen days, of North Saint Louis Boulevard, South Bend, Ind., died at 12:08 a.m. Thursday, March 3, 2005, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind., unexpectedly -- but of natural causes.

Skye was born Jan. 20, 2005, in South Bend, Ind., to Carlton Grant and Carrie Lynn (Krieger) Hill. She was a happy, good baby. Skye was "Daddy's Angel."

Skye is survived by her parents, Carlton Grant and Carrie L. (Krieger) Hill of the home; a brother, Dylan R. Hill of the home; a sister, Chloe A. Hill of the home; her grandparents, Kim Krieger of South Bend, Indiana, Harley (Janis) Krieger of Wayne, Mich., Carol (Wayne) Pompey of Niles and Carl Hill of Dowagiac, Mich.; her great-grandparents, Maebelle Hill of Dowagiac, Mich., Janet Dunbar of Westland, Mich., and Delores Krieger of Taylor, Mich.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The funeral services for Skye Morgan Hill will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 7, in Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Niles, with Pastor Brian Bacon officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the charity of donor's choice.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Hill, Rebecca

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Mrs. Levin Hill dies After brief illness.Funeral services planned for Friday afternoon; was born in Ohio.Mrs. Rebecca Hill, 61, wife of Levi Hill, 215 North Fifteenth Street died on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. While she had been seriously ill for only four days, she had long been a sufferer from a complication of diseases.Mrs. Hill’s maiden name was Rebecca Stiles. She was born near Areamusm, Darke County, Ohio, on November 3, 1866. She was married to Mr. Hill on January 11, 1889. In 1901 the family moved to Niles and had since resided her. Mr. Hill was employed at the Drykold Factory. Besides her husband, the following children survives, Jess Hill, Mishawka, Jacob, 1663 Huron St. and Mrs. Frank Eckenrod, 395 N. Fifteenth Street also the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Jesse Weaver, Mrs. Isaac Weaver, Niles and Mrs. Mahalia Trimble and Andrew Stiles of Niles, William Jams Stiles and Miss Ella and Mrs. Dora Brown, all residing in Ohio. Many friends also mourn her death. Mrs. Brown, who resides in Areaumusm, is in the city on account of Mrs. Hills death and other relatives are expected for the funeral services which will be held on Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Rutherford Funeral Home. Rev. Salkeld, pastor of the Adrent Christian Church in south Bend, will officiate. Burial will take place in Silver Brook Cemetery.

Hill, Mabel Elizabeth

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Mabel Elizabeth Hill, 88, of Park Lane, Niles, Mich., died following a brief illness at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 1999, in the Lakeland Medical Center-Niles.

She was born on May 25, 1910, in Bourbon, Ind., to Harry Ellis and Ella (Luty) Hillis, and had lived here since 1946, coming from Adrian, Mich.

Mrs. Hill was a public school teacher, beginning her career in Indiana, and at the former Sumnerville School in Cass County. She taught for many years in the Niles Community Schools at Northside School before retiring in 1975. One of her classes planted a magnolia tree in the school's front yard which brings memories to many as they pass by.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, a graduate of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and was a member of the Michigan Education Association. Mrs. Hill was an avid bridge player, enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading the classics, and working in her flower garden.

On Dec. 1, 1933, at Geneva, Ill., she was married to C. Richard ''Dick'' Hill, who survives. She is also survived by her children, Barbara (Charles) Miltenberger of Niles, Nancy (James) King of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Cynthia Jensen of Indianapolis, Ind.; and by six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, John Richard Hill, who died at 5 years of age; and by a sister, Dorothy Schroeter.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 14, in the First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with the Rev. D. Ronald H. Wakeman officiating. Committal services will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hill may be made to encourage reading at Northside School or to the Niles Community Library.

Hill, Levi W.

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Levi W. Hill
Nov. 6, 1866- Feb. 8, 1949

EDWARDSBURG, Feb. 8, Levi W. Hill, 82, Edwardsburg, formerly a resident of Niles, died today at 4 a.m. at the Cass county Hospital. He had been seriously ill for about one week, but had been ill five years. He was born Nov. 6, 1866 in Darke County, Ohio, and came to Niles in 1904 following the occupation of a stationary engineer. In 1939 he moved to Edwardsburg and has since made his residence here. His wife, Rebecca, preceded him in death in 1927. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Anna Eckenrod, Ensley, Ala, and two sons, Jesse S. of Edwardsburg and Jacob H. of Galien, 20 grand children and 27 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Kiger Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. F.E. Ogle of the Presbyterian Church of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook cemetery in Niles. Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home until noon Thursday.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

Hill, Florence

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Mrs.. Florence Metzger Hill, 32 wife of Carl B. Hill, a yardmaster at the Michigan Central railway yards, died at 9 o’clock last evening of scarlet fever. A son born to Mrs. Hill nine day ago, or on June 24, also has scarlet fever, but it is though the infant will survive. Mrs. Hill was well known in Niles as is her husband, and many friends are shocked and grieved over her death. How Mrs. Hill contracted the disease which caused her death is not know. She was stricken with the scarlet fever just three weeks ago.Mrs. Hill was born in Galien September 17, 1892, a daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Richard Metzger, both deceased. She had before her marriage been a stenographer in the office of the Kawneer Company. She was married on July 6, 1924 to Mr. Hill at the Methodist parsonage in Niles by Rev J.W. Sheehan. Besides her husband and son, she survived by three sisters, and five brother as follow; Mr. Dora Wallace who lived north of Niles, Mrs. Clarence Potter of Dayton, Mr. Gertude Hartline, Leo, Arthur, Victor and Ray Metzger of Galien and Ben Metzger of Buchanan. the funeral services will be held this afternoon at 4 o’clock at Silverbrook Cemetery, no services to be held at the home on account of the quarantine. Rev. J.W. Sheehan will conduct the services at the grave. Besides member of Mrs. Hill’s family, other expected from out of the city for the services are Mr. Hill’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Hill, his sister, Mrs. C,.H. Thoms, and Mrs. Hill’s uncles, Leonard Hill and the latter’s wife, all of Michigan City. Mr. Hill has been employed her by the Michigan Central Railway company since December 1919.

Hill, Dorothy Virginia "Dottie"

Vickie Caison Obituaries March 7, 2009

Dorothy Hill
May 31, 1923-May 20, 2000

Dorothy Virginia "Dottie" Hill, 76, of East Park Drive, Niles, Mich., passed on to eternal life on Wednesday, May 10, 2000, at her residence.

She was born in Niles on May 31, 1923, to Henry A. and Flora J. (Schanbacher) Kist. She had lived most of her life in Niles.

Mrs. Hill is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 57 years, Clayton P. Hill; her son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Diane Hill of Niles; her two daughters and sons-in-law, Lorcasa and William Hyde of Plano, Texas, and Tammi and David Mayfield of Holland, Mich.; grandchildren and their spouses, Jeff and Mary Hill, Brent and Tamara Hill, Chad and Nichole Hill, Heather Hill, Christopher and Brian Hyde, and Christina and Isaac Mayfield; great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, Jacob, Hannah, Kyle, Katie, Allie, and Alexandria Hill.

She graduated from Niles High School in 1941, and worked at various positions, including South Bend Lathe Works, Simplicity Pattern, Allen Test Products, North Side School, and Michigan National Bank.

Mrs. Hill was a member of Saint John's United Church of Christ in Niles where she taught Sunday School, played the piano, and sang in the choir. She later attended Church of the Savior in Niles.

An avid bowler and gardener who enjoyed many flowers, she also participated in Arts and Crafts while wintering in Port Richey, Fla.

On October 10, 1992, Mr. and Mrs. Hill repeated their wedding vows, as they had done 50 years ago on the same day, at Saint John's United Church of Christ at the original hour, with Mrs. Hill wearing her wedding dress, and with all of her original bridesmaids in attendance.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 15, in Saint John's United Church of Christ with the Rev. Al Bastin of the church officiating,. and with the Rev. Leon Roggen of Niles assisting. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hill may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., or to Hospice at Home, Inc.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

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