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.

Carpenter, Messick

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

Messick Carpenter
June 3, 1872-Nov. 18, 1922

Messick Carpenter dies in hospital.

Messick Carpenter, 1424 Broadway died this morning at 1 o’clock at St. Joseph’s Hospital in South Bend where he had been a patient for about three months suffering with a complication of diseases. The body will be brought to the Troost undertaking rooms today. The funeral arrangements have not been made. Mr. Carpenter was about 54 years old. He is survived by three children, Mildred, Lloyd and Leon, whose ages range from eight to 15 years. Mrs. Carpenter whose maiden name was Bertha Starr, died four years ago. Besides the children, Mr. Carpenter is survived by his brother, Elmer, 1424 Broadway. Until ill health prevented Mr. Carpenter was employed in the freight department of the Michigan Central railway company.

Funeral services for Messick Carpenter, who died Saturday morning at St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend where held this morning at the Evangelical Church in west Niles. Rev. Peter Schurman conducted the services. Misses Dahlstrom and Willard sang. Burial took place in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Carpenter, John Byron 1859-1933

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

John Byron Carpenter
Oct. 17, 1859-May 26, 1933

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, May 29, 1933, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

John Carpenter Dies of Lobar Pneumonia

John Byron Carpenter, 73, died in his home, 932 South Thirteenth Street Sunday morning at 12:30 after a brief illness with lobar pneumonia. He became ill last Friday morning.

Mr. Carpenter was born in Milton Township, Cass county, a son of Purnell W. and Elvira French Carpenter on Oct. 17, 1859. He lived the greater part of his life in Cass and Berrien counties but had made his home also in Niles for a number of years.

Mr. Carpenter was married on October 17, 1865 in Miss Sophia Speckien at Wawaka, Ind, who with one son, Carl Carpenter of Milton Township, Cass County and two daughters, Mrs. John Shook and Mrs. William Moneysmith of Niles survive him. Five of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter preceded him in death.

Besides the widow and children. Mr. Carpenter is survived by a sister, Mrs. Florence Martin of Elkhart, Ind., two brothers, Wyman Carpenter of Howard Township and Alva Carpenter of Milton township; a half brother, Elmer Carpenter of Niles; 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

More than 30 years ago Mr. Carpenter united with the Methodist denomination. He was a member of the Methodist church in Niles.

The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock in the Methodist church. The pastor, the Rev. Robert Meader, will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery.

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, May 31, 1933, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

The Rev. Robert Meader, pastor of the Methodist church conducted the funeral services this afternoon in the Methodist church for Byron Carpenter, 72, who died Sunday of pneumonia. Burial was made in the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery.

Carpenter, James Elmer

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

James Elmer Carpenter
Feb. 22, 1868-March 9, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 10, 1952, Page 2. col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

James Elmer Carpenter, of rural route six, died at 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the Grand Rapids home of a son, Orsie Carpenter, where he had been visiting.

Also surviving are a son, Milford, of Niles; about 25 grandchildren, and one-half-brother, Alvie Carpenter, of Niles. He was born on Feb. 22, 1868, in Howard township, Cass county, and had lived all his lifelife in this community.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m Tuesday by the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe, Presbyterian pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Carpenter, Howard E.

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

Howard E. Carpenter
Jan. 1, 1888-December 24, 1916

Death on the Rail is fate of Niles Boy who left here Saturday.

Chief Francis Notified by Deputy Coroner yesterday, Remains to arrive here this afternoon.

Yesterday, Deputy coroner Buhland of Hobart, Ind., phoned Chief Francis that he was in the possession of the body of Howard E . Carpenter, a young man who has been killed, presumably on the Michigan Central railroad, and requested that his relatives be notified. Chief Francis investigated immediately and learned that the deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Carpenter, of this place and that he had been sent to Hobart Saturday to relieve the track pan tender. The young man’s father who has charge of the Michigan Central pumping station in Front Street was notified and he and one of his sons left for Hobart.

Dr. Buhland the corner who, by the way, formerly resided here gave no particulars concerning the way in which the young man was killed.

Howard E. Carpenter was 28 years old, and leaves a father and mother; two sisters, Mrs. John Shoop of Day street and Miss Louise Carpenter and two brothers, Carl and Harvey of this place to mourn his tragic death.

The body arrived here over the Michigan Central this afternoon, and was taken to the Shoop home. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Later: it has been learned that Mr. Carpenter was killed by a South Shore Interurban Car between Gary and East Gary, although there is considerable mystery connected with the case.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Carpenter, Harvey Earl

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

Harvey Earl Carpenter
May 28, 1885-Feb. 6, 1955

Harvey Earl Carpenter, 69, died at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at his home 627 James Street, after a seven month illness.

He was born May 28, 1885 in Fulton county, Ind., had lived in Niles 51 years and been employed as a plasterer.

He married Ruth Hartman, May 25, 1911 in Rochester, Ind. She survives.

Other survivors are a daughter, Mrs. George Chikar of Claremount, Calif.; five grandchildren; three brothers, Wilbur and Ray Carpenter of Niles and Arthur Carpenter of Tucson, Ariz.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home where the Rev. Clarence Pederson will conduct services at 2 pm. Tuesday. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Carpenter, Harvey D.

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

Harvey Carpenter
Aug. 28, 1898-July 28, 1920

Death Claims Young Man

Harvey Carpenter, age 21 years, died today at 12:30 O’clock at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Carpenter in Vernon Heights. The young man had been afflicted with tuberculosis for about three years. When last employed he was at the R. M. East laundry. He was born in Howard Township, Cass County, but had practically spent his entire life in Niles, having come here when he was but two years old. He was well known in Niles and many friends had hoped he would be able on combat with illness that cause his untimely death.

Besides his parents, Mr. Carpenter is survived by a brother, Carl, and two sisters, Mrs. Alma Shook and Mrs. Louise Moneysmith of Niles.

The funeral arrangements have not been complete.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Carpenter, Frank P.

Vickie Caison Obituaries February 28, 2009

Frank P. Carpenter
June 21, 1878-January 20, 1951

Frank P. Carpenter, 72, 940 North Fifth Street, died at 2:20 a.m. today in Pawating hospital. He had been ill one year. Carpenter was born in Disko, Ind., on June 21, 1878. He came to Niles from Rochester, Ind., 31 years ago and was a city employee for 25 years.

Surviving are his wife, Cora; daughter, Mrs. Theodore Helt; and a son, Doyle , both of Niles; four brothers, Wilbur, Ray and Earl, all of Niles; and Arthur of Tucson, Ariz., four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home where services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. L. George Beacock will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

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