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.

Radewald, Edwin Jr.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Edwin Radewald Jr.
Dec. 3, 1924-Jan. 28, 2009

Prominent Berrien County fruit and vegetable grower, Edwin Radewald Jr., 84, lifelong resident of the Radewald family farm on M-140, Niles, died at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2009 in Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, MI, following an illness.

Edwin was born on December 3, 1924, in the farm home to Edwin and Florence (Knott) Radewald Sr. He graduated from Niles High School in 1941 and attended Michigan State University for two years.

On February 4, 1951 he married Virginia Marie Totzke, who survives. In 1948, after the sudden death of their father, Edwin and his brother, Stanley formed the partnership of Radewald Farms. In 1965, they built a packinghouse and cold storage on the farm. They were the 1981 recipients of the Master Farmer Award of the Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Association.

Ed was a lifelong member of Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, serving on the council and its president for nine years, and chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. He was also a life member of the Michigan Horticultural Society, serving as a director for six years and president in 1972. He was a member of the Great Lakes Vegetable Growers Association, and the Berrien County Farm Bureau.

He served as a director of the North American Strawberry Growers Association, the Saint Joseph Valley Soil Conservation Board, the Berrien Township Board of Appeals, and was treasurer of the Fairland School Board for 12 years. He served as supervisor of the Berrien County Community Garden, was a 4-H leader for 10 years, and a director of the Berrien County 4-H Foundation.

Ed loved John Deere tractors, restoring several antique tractors, and was a charter member of the Michiana Two Cylinder Club. He was a life member, volunteer, and strong supporter of the Berrien County Youth Fair, and was a life member of the Michigan State University Alumni Association.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Stanley.

Surviving family includes his wife, Virginia; their children, Marie (John) Parsey of Phoenix, AZ, Lois (Fred) Thurnherr of Holland, NY, Jean (Curt) Loutzenhiser of South Bend, IN, and Vern (Laura) Radewald of Hopkins, MN; grandchildren, Stephen and Carolyn Parsey, Emily Thurnherr, and Karen and Brent Radewald; step-grandchidlren, Joshua Loutzenhiser and Jessice Tysman; and four step-great-grandchildren; and Ed's sister-in-law, Barbara Radewald; niece, Diane Radewald, and nephew, Donald Radewald.

The funeral service for Edwin Radewald will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2009, in Satin John's Untied Church of Christ with the Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating. Committal service will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Ed Radewald may be made to Saint John's United Church of Christ, or the Berrien County Youth Fair.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Clymer, Eleanor "Ellie"

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Eleanor Clymer
March 26, 1939-February 8, 2009

Eleanor Clymer "Ellie," 69, of Niles, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2009, in West Woods Nursing Home following an extended illness.

She was born on March 26, 1939, in Canada, to the late James and Edna Meldrum. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, former Niles Mayor and Berrien County Commissioner Larry Clymer in 2008.

Eleanor is survived by two sons, Larry "Jim" (Patty) Clymer of Niles and Jeffrey D. (Laura) Clymer of Valparaiso, Indiana; four grandchildren; and by her mother-in-law, Edith Clymer of Niles.

In keeping with Eleanor's wishes, cremation has taken place and public services will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery later this summer.

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

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.

Johnson, Jennings Alvin

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Jennings Alvin Johnson
April 12, 1929-January 19, 2009

Jennings Alvin Johnson, 79, of Niles, died at 12:45 p.m. Monday Jan. 19, 2009 in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.  He was born April 12, 1929. Survivors include sons, David (Carlean) Johnson Sr. and Robert Johnson, both of Indianapolis and Gregory (Ana) Taylor of Kansas City, MO; and a sister, Mattie E. Smith of Niles. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where friends may call one hour before services. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Waxman, Jane ( Zabel)

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Jane Z. Waxman
1925-2009

Jane Z. Waxman, MD, 83, of Prairie Village, KS, passed away on January 18, 2009.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 24, in South-Broadland Presbyterian Church, 7850 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO.

Graveside services and burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI, at 1 p.m. Friday, January 30, followed by a reception for family and friends at McGann Hay Funerals | Cremations | Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Road).

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to The Jane Zabel Waxman Fund, Camp Eberhart Alumni Association, 316 S. Eddy Street, South Bend, IN 46617.

Dr. Waxman was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Walter and Adah Zabel.

She was the valedictorian of her Niles High School class of 1943, Niles, MI. She learned to be an expert sailor, equestrian and riflewoman as a youth at Camp Eberhart, Three Rivers, MI. She attended The University of Michigan where she was Phi Beta Kappa and received a bachelor in science in 1946 and a doctor of medicine in 1949. Her postgraduate training was at Syracuse University Medical School, Syracuse, NY, where she met her husband of 57 years, David Waxman, MD. She later moved with her family to Kansas City, MO, where she began a private practice in pediatrics. She was the first woman president of the Kansas City Pediatric Society, from 1982-84. After 25 years in private practice, Dr Waxman moved to an outpatient pediatric practice with the military, first at Richards Gebaur AFB in Grandview, MO, then later at Munson Army Hospital in Leavenworth, KS. She received the Commander's Award for Civilian Service and the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Award. She retired from medical practice in 1993.

Dr. Waxman was preceded in death by her husband David in 2007, and by her brother, Robert Zabel, in 1999.

She is survived by her daughter, Gail Prestigiacomo and husband, Michael of Killeen, TX; son, Michael Waxman, MD, and wife, Nancy of Leawood, KS; son, Dan Waxman, MD, and wife, Sharon of Indianapolis, IN; daughter, Annie Lopez, JD, and husband, Alberto of Glencoe, IL; son, Steve Waxman, MD, and wife, Betsy of Iowa City, IA; and daughter, Abby Moore, CPA, and husband, Ronnie of Overbrook, KS; grandchildren, John, Jennifer, Sarah and husband, Michael Kline, Jacob, Rachel, Max, Sam, Isaac, Mary Jane, David, Walter, William, Chelsea and Jessica.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Day, Charles Frank

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Charles "Chuck" Day
March 22, 1919-January 18, 2009

Charles Frank Day, 89, of 48 N. St. Joseph Avenue, died of natural causes at 1:54 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Riveridge Manor, Niles.

He was born on March 22, 1919, in Benton Harbor, to the late Guy and Ophelia (Porter) Days. On March 7, 1942, in Dyersburg, TN, he married Bertha Louise Day, who preceded him in death on May 21, 1999. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Edwin Days and Albert Days; and sisters, Thelma McIntyre, Minnie Stick and Mildred Schroeder.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, started the Chuck Day Music Center in Niles in February 1962, was a lifetime member of the VFW and was very active in music and Sunday school at church. He had worked at I&M Electric, and had been a guitar teacher and music store owner for almost 46 years. He was a lifetime area resident, having grown up in New Buffalo, moved to Buchanan and then moved to Niles in 1962.

Survivors include daughters, Linda Louise Jaroch of Niles and Cheryl Charlene "Kay" Morris of Ferndale, CA; grandchildren, Charles Jaroch, Anthony (Melinda) Jaroch, Jamie Bowman, Kimberly (Kit) Chambers, Lyle (Harmony) Morris and Terry Morris; and great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Ryan, Tonya, Amanda, Carissa, Christopher, Cody, Zachary, Kelly, Kyle, Kade, Kenton, McKayla and Trinity.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, with Pastor Russell Simonson of Forgotten Man Ministries. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Curtis, Susan A. (Aldrich)

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Susan Curtis
Oct. 22, 1922-Jan. 7, 2009

NILES - Susan A. Carpenter Curtis, 86, of Ontario Road, Niles, Michigan, died at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2009, in Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles, due to a brief illness.

She was born on October 22, 1922 in Niles, to Edward and Cora (Lundy) Aldrich, and continued to live in Niles her whole life.

She graduated from the old Central High School in Niles in 1941. She worked at the old A & P formerly on Front and Second Streets, Westside Super on Chicago Road and Prince's Market on Wayne Street.

She attended the Church of God in Cassopolis for many years before joining St. John's United Church of Christ in Niles in 2006.

She enjoyed her involvement at the Cass County Council on the Aging in Cassopolis and the Niles Senior Center.

Susan enjoyed traveling. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.

On May 1, 1971 in Edwardsburg, she married Lloyd Starr Carpenter, who preceded her in death on May 26, 2001.

On September 30, 2006 in Niles, she married Edwin Curtis, who survives.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Dale (Cindy) Vernon of Niles; daughters, Shirley (Chuck) Starks of Searcy, Arkansas and Lynda (Dale) Miller of South Bend; brothers, Dick (Margie) Aldrich and Bobby (Judy) Aldrich, both of Niles, Jim (Mildred) Aldrich of Mishawaka, IN; sisters, June Williams of Wayne, Michigan and Jule Eakins of Mishawaka; a sister-in-law, Florence Aldrich of Osceola, Indiana; her grandchildren, Bobby Starks and Ruby Wolford, both of Searcy, Robert Vernon and Genny Seward, both of Edwardsburg, Michigan, Chris Miller of Sunfield Michigan, Heather Estes of South Bend and Shelby Vernon of Niles; 14 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Norma Fruehauf of Portage, MI, Don Carpenter of Elkhart, Dennis Carpenter of Dowagiac, Michigan, Lynette Miller and Janet Barr, both of Niles; and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also beloved by many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Laurence Vernon; a grandson, Chuckie Starks; a brother, Edward Aldrich; and a stepdaughter, Carmen Mitchell.

Funeral services for Susan will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. John's United Church of Christ, with Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating. Internment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

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

Contributions in memory of Susan may be made to Cass County Council on the Aging.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Brooks, Linda S. (Allen)

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Linda S. Brooks
August 18, 1946-December 6, 2009

Linda S. Brooks, 62, of Michigan Street, Niles, Michigan, passed away at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana, following a brief illness.

She was born on August 18, 1946, in Judsonia, Arkansas, to Raymond Winter and Beatrice Odell (Walls) Allen. She graduated from Niles High School and had lived here most of her life. She was a longtime employee of the Federal Mogul Corporation, South Bend.

Linda was baptized at the Church of Christ of Niles. She enjoyed flower gardening, completing crossword puzzles, and traveling to the Four Winds and the Blue Chip casinos, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family.

On August 22, 1964, at the Church of Christ of Niles, she married Daniel S. Brooks, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Kimberly (Mick) Ferrell of Niles, Kelly Sue (Neal) Thompson of Buchanan, Michigan, and Daniel S. "Spinner" Brooks II of Niles; their grandchildren, Michael, Keri, Malinda, Rikki and Donaven; and great-grandchildren, Kaylynn, Drake, Kaylee and Colt. She is also survived by her mother, Beatrice O. Allen of Niles; brothers, Merrial Allen and Jerry Allen; a sister, Theresa Warrick, all of Niles; several nieces and nephews.

Linda's father, Raymond W. Allen, preceded her in death on February 20, 2003.

The funeral service for Linda S. Brooks will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2008, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. David Thompson of the Church of Christ of Niles officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today, December 9, 2008, in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Linda may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown.

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