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.

Blackmun, William H.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

William H. Blackmun
March 29, 1925-Sept. 1, 2008

Mr. William H. Blackmun, 82, of Yankee Street, died at 7:35 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1st, in Riveridge Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.

Mr. Blackmun was born on March 29, 1925, in Buchanan, MI, to Harold and Ruth (Carnes) Blackmun, and had lived in this area most of his life. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, earning two bronze battle stars. He attended the University of Notre Dame (Indiana), the Chicago Art Academy, and the American Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, and had been a professional artist all of his adult life.

Bill was especially gifted in both commercial arts and painting. Early in his career he created the original "Tidy-Cat" icon which was on every package and advertisement for many years. He was capable of creating freehand (without models or plans) replicas of ships, airplanes and historic figures. He also lent his hand to community projects such as the mural encircling the children's area of the Niles District Library.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Niles, where he was active in the choir and served as a deacon. He had been a member of the Niles-Buchanan Club of Rotary International since 1959, and had served as its secretary for over 32 years. He also had an interest in nature and wildlife, and enjoyed studying history, especially the Civil War (in which his great-grandfather, Hoel C. Wright, served) and World War II.

Nearly 60 years ago, on January 1, 1949, in Niles, he married Doris J. Harrington, who survives. Also surviving are their daughter, Linda (Tom) Frey of Defiance, Ohio, and Judi (Pat) Quinn of Lansing, MI; four grandchildren; Bill's brother, Robert (Pat) Blackmun of Hilton, NY; and sister, Mary (Jack) Crouch of Goshen, IN.

The funeral service for William H. Blackmun will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5th, in First Presbyterian Church, Niles, with the Rev. Janet VanLear officiating. Committal rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Bill Blackmun may be made to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church or to the Niles District Library.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Hartman, Anna O.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Anna O. Hartman
October 18, 1905-August 29, 2008

Anna O. Hartman, 102, of Berrien Center, formerly of Niles, passed away following an illness on Friday, August 29, 2008, in Berrien Specialty Hospital.

Anna Hartman was born on October 18, 1905, in Chicago, IL, to the late Emerick and Marie (Svajlenka) Olack.

Anna is survived by a daughter, Mary Jo Deutscher of Berrien Center; a sister, Mary A. Doyle of Galien; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; as well as many special nieces and nephews.

Anna Hartman was preceded in death by her husband, W.L. Hartman; parents, Emerick and Marie (Svajlenka) Olack; a son, James Hartman; and the rest of her siblings.

She worked as a waitress at many local restaurants and retired from the cafeteria at Niles Community Schools in 1969. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church for many years.

Her hobbies included cooking, traveling to Spokane, Washington, garage sales and knitting. After developing macular degeneration, Anna was determined to care for herself even with limited eyesight.

A service for Anna will be held in the Brown Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. An interment will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in Anna's memory to Lakeland Hospice, to Macular Degeneration or to a charity of one's choice.

Those wishing to leave a message, photos or condolences for the family may do so at www.brownfuneralhomeniles.com.

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

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown. 

Slater, Joseph M.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Joseph M. Slater
June 24, 1923-August 6, 2008

Joseph M. Slater, 85, of Niles, formerly of Berrien Springs, went to see Jesus on August 6, 2008, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center.  He was born June 25, 1923. A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, August 23, at the Faith Victory Fellowship in Buchanan, Michigan. Interment will be in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown. 

Worl, Thelma J.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Thelma Worl
Feb. 4, 1942-July 31, 2008

Thelma Jean "Sissy" Worl, 66, of Grill Avenue, died following a brief illness at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31,2008, in her home.

Mrs. Worl was born on February 4, 1942, in Niles, to LaVall and Dorothy (Luther) Lane. She was a lifetime resident of Niles. Thelma retired in 2005 from Woodwind and Brasswind in South Bend. She was also formerly employed at Niles Radio Supply.

Thelma loved to bowl, fish and camp. She enjoyed taking care of her family. Cappuccino was her favorite hobby.

Mr. Worl is survived by her children, Billy Wayne Walls Jr. of Niles, Brian Keith (Carrie) Walls of Buchanan, Tina Marie (Gary) Sherman of Niles and Kevin Frederick (Melissa) Worl Jr. of Niles; her grandchildren, Billy Wayne Walls III, Jeffrey, Ricky, Ryan, Justin Walls, Brian K. Walls Jr., Tricia and Caitlin Compeau, Gary Sherman Jr., Kyle, Jeremy and Spencer Sherman, Courtney and Seira Franks, Damein and Jesse Worl, Kayla and Seeairah Sherman; four great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Shirley Joanis, Richard, Kenny and Terry Lane, Diana Ferris and Patsy Mead, all of Niles, and Susan Horvath of South Bend.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Wayne Walls Sr., who died September 1, 1973; a granddaughter, Nicole Walls; two brothers and two sisters.

The funeral service for Thelma Jean Worl will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug 6th, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Scott Labbe, chaplain of Lakeland Healthcare Hospice, Niles, officiating. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, following the service.

Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Thelma Jean Worl may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Rose, Robert W.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Robert W. Rose
March 19, 1930-July 9, 2008

Robert W. "Sonny" Rose, 78 of Michigan Street, Niles, died at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in his home following a brief illness.

Mr. Rose was born on March 19, 1930 in Niles to Harold K. and Sallie Lucile (Whitfield) Rose Sr.

He graduated from Niles High School, earned a degree in Communications and Computer Science from Ivy Tech, South Bend, and continued his education at Southwestern Michigan College. He lived in Niles most of his life.

He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Era serving in the United States Army. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exemplary performance in saving a soldier's life on May 18, 1964 at great personal risk. He earned the Purple Heart award, having been wounded in action by enemy gunfire on January 21, 1966. He was honored to serve on the Golden Knights Paratrooper Drill Team. Staff Sergeant Rose completed his remarkable and highly decorated military career on December 2, 1972, retiring after 20 years of service. In retirement, Robert taught computer classes at Brandywine High School in Niles for 14 years. He also owned his own business, S & B Custom Software, and was a manager at Lou Ann's from 1969-76.

Bob was elected as the City of Niles Councilman of the Third Ward, serving in 1982 and 1983. He was also the State Director of MARS (Military Amateur Radio System) for Michigan, and had been a licensed operator since 1948 with the call "K8UZC".

He was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Niles the John W. Moore Lodge #42 F. & A.M., and Wolverine State Chapter #33, Disabled American Veterans.

On January 28, 1952 in Yokohama, Japan he married the former Mitsue Murata who survives. He is also survived by his daughter Jodi (Anthony) Vanlerberghe of Richland, MI. grandchildren, Ashtyn, Macen, and Ava; Jodi's mother, Sharon Matthews of Niles; and a sister, Ona Fouche of Niles.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Harold K. Rose Jr., who died on April 22, 1998, and sister, Bettie Bailey who died in 1988.

The funeral service for Robert W. Rose will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2008 in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with full Military Honors by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home, with Masonic Rites at 7:30 p.m. by the John W. Moore Lodge #42 F. & A.M.

Contributions in memory of Robert W. Rose may be made to the Niles District Library.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

Albert, Emil

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Emil Albert

March 17, 1926-June 21, 2008

Mr. Emil Albert, 82, of Niles, MI, and Sanibel, FL, died following a brief illness at 12:13 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2008, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

He was born on March 17, 1926, in Fairmont, MN, to Martin and Emma (Gratz) Albert, and had graduated from Fairmont High School in 1944. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy, and was later a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Air Force. He completed 20 years of service, retiring from the U.S. Air Force Reserves with the rank of major.

Mr. Albert graduated from Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later earned a doctorate degree in business from Michigan State University (East Lansing).

Dr. Albert began his career at the Kawneer Company and Tyler Refrigeration, both of Niles, and with the Bendix Corporation. He served as vice president of the Adams & Westlake Corporation, and was an owner of the R.E. Jackson Company, both in Elkhart, IN. Dr. Albert became an associate professor at Indiana University South Bend where he taught graduate MBA students and assisted in the startup of the entrepreneurship program.

He was an active member of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, and had previously served as an elder and an usher for many years. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was a life member of the VFW, and enjoyed golf and reading business journals and texts. He co-authored an academic text on inventory control.

On December 4, 1954, in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, he married the former Verda M. Ramsby, who survives. Also surviving are their son, Timothy (Patti) Albert, and grandson, Pierce Albert, all of Niles; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by two brothers, Reinhard Albert and Lloyd Albert.

The funeral service for Emil Albert will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 23rd, in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Niles, with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Emil Albert may be made to Saint Paul's Lutheran Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Reed, Ida

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Ida Reed
March 28, 1928-May 27, 2008

Ida Reed, 80, of South Third Street, died May 27, 2008 in Lakeland Hospital following a brief illness.  She was born March 28, 1928. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. There will be no visitation. Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is handling arrangements.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

 

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