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.

Hansen, Jerry D. Sr.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Jerry D. Hansen, Sr.
April 21, 1930 - Jan. 12, 2008

Niles Daily Star (0nline) Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:32 AM EST

Jerry Hansen, Sr., 77, of Denison, Texas and formerly of Almaugus Drive, Niles, died at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at his home, following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with the Rev. Collin D. Seitz, of Community Evangelical Free Church in Niles, officiating. Services will conclude with the Veteran's Flag Presentation by American Legion Post No. 26 in Niles.

Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice of Sherman, Texas.

Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

also

Jerry D. Hansen Sr., 77, of Denison, TX, and formerly of Almaugus Drive, Niles, died at 4:10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12,  2008, in his home following a brief illness.

Mr. Hansen was born on April 21, 1930, in Canby, MN. He was the fifth out of 12 children born to the late Anna (Penner) and Christ Hansen, a Danish immigrant.

Jerry spent his early years traveling with his family out West during the Great Depression and his formative years on a farm in Harlan and in Kirkman, IA. He came to Niles in 1943 and graduated from Niles High School. Jerry followed his job with Kawneer Company to Texas in 1976. Jerry was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the United States Army.

While at Kawneer, he participated in industrial athletic leagues including bowling, softball and golf. In retirement, he walked three miles daily, golfed at the Denison Country Club, traveled to see his large family, and took care of his neighbors.

He was first married in 1950 to Mary "Maxine" (Green) Hansen. Later, in 1979, he married Martha "Marty" (Simpson) Hansen, who survives. Mr. Hansen is also survived by his daughter, Marcia (Erv) Marker of Niles; a son, Jerry (Margaret) Hansen Jr. of Niles; stepchildren, Tonja (Charlie) Ellsworth of McAlister, OK, Billy Godbey of Denison and Marty John (Sandra) Godbey of Hugo, OK; grandchildren, Emily, Caleb, Betsy, Ben, Abby, Jessica, Ashlie and Josh; great-grandchildren, Deborah and Kaleb; and his siblings, Joy Nichols of Niles, Yetive (Puzzle) Carr of Cassopolis, Don Hansen of Seaford, DE, Gene Hansen of Niles and Jan (Pat) Hansen of Richmond, VA, Lonnie Hansen of Cypress, CA, and Vicki Bliss of Grand Rapids.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Harry Hansen, Sharon Hansen, Gladys Roy and Christ Hansen Jr.

Funeral services for Jerry D. Hansen Sr. will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Rev. Collin D. Seitz of Community Evangelical Free Church, Niles, officiating, and will conclude with the Veterans Flag Presentation by American Legion Post #26, Niles. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Jerry Hansen Sr. may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, Sherman, TX.

Published in the South Bend Tribune from 1/17/2008 - 1/18/2008.

Jarman, Kenneth

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Kenneth Jarman
February 4, 1948-January 11, 2008

Kenneth Jarman, 59, of Hill Street, Dowagiac, MI, died unexpectedly but of natural causes at 3:00 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, in his home.

Mr. Jarman was born on February 4, 1948, in Chicago, IL, to James Monroe and Mildred Louise (Johnson) Jarman.  He had lived in Dowagiac for 18 years, moving there from Niles and Chicago. Kenneth graduated from Niles High School with the "Class of 1966."  In 2000 he retired after 25 years of service from Modineer Company in Niles.  He was a veteran of the Vietnam Era, having served two tours of duty while in the United States Army. He was a member of VFW and DAV. He enjoyed radio-controlled cars and airplanes, and restoring automobiles.

Mr. Jarman is survived by his daughter, Jennifer J. Farber of Bloomington, IN; three grandchildren, Madison, Sierra and Nicholas Farber; mother, Mildred Louise Clubb of Niles; father, James Monroe Jarman of South Bend; two sisters, Brenda J. (Craig) Biek of Niles and Nancy C. Ott of Mishawaka; two brothers, Douglas (Susan) Jarman of East Bernstadt, KY, and James P. (Rebecca Weeks) Jarman of Albion, IN; and his companion, Marilyn McAmis of Dowagiac.

Funeral services for Kenneth Jarman will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Pastor Terry D. White of Beacon Baptist Church in Niles officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, where full military honors will be presented by American Legion Post #51, Buchanan. Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the DAV Chapter #55 in Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Vassar, Lucius Jr.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Lucius Vassar Jr.
December 29, 1922-January 7, 2008

Lucius Vassar Jr., 85, of Poplar Street, Niles, MI, died at 2:48 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, in West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

Mr. Vassar was born on December 29, 1922, in Blytheville, AR, to Lucius and Elnora (Williams) Vassar Sr. He had lived in Niles since 1942, coming from Arkansas. Lucius retired from Clark Equipment.

Lucius was a member of Franklin A.M.E. Church in Niles where he was a steward, trustee, lay reader and taught Sunday school.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. He was past Master of John W. Moore Lodge F.& A.M. and was a 32nd degree Mason, past Potentate of AIZiber Temple #81 in Kalamazoo, and past Patron of Miriam Chapter #53. Lucius was a former member of the City of Niles Zoning Commission. He also helped St. John's United Church of Christ for many years as a custodian.

On July 3, 1945, in Niles, he married the former Ruth M. Emmons, who survives. Mr. Vassar is also survived by their children, Gwen (Luther) Taylor Sr. of South Bend, Margaret (Dennis) Thompson of Wichita, KS, Vernita "Tuffy" Vassar of Niles, Jacqueline (Benjamin) Johnson of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Lucius Adam Vassar of Detroit, MI; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Lucius Vassar Jr. will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in the Franklin A.M.E. Church in Niles, with Rev. Jared L. Graves of the church and Rev. Alfred Watts of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, officiating.

Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call one hour prior to the services in the church.

Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Senior Citizens Center Building Fund, 1109 Bell Road, Niles, MI 49120.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Kleckner, Irene E.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Irene E. Kleckner
July 21, 1918-January 6, 2008

Irene E. Kleckner, 89, formerly of Hickory Street, died at 2:03 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 in Silverbrook Manor, Niles, following an extended illness.  She was born July 21, 1918. Survivors include her son, Myron "Skip" Doehrer Jr. of Niles; three granddaughters, Rita Lee, Tammy Trist and Lisa Horvath; seven great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Wilma Reitz of Stevensville, MI. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, in Halbritter Funeral Home, where friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today. Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown  

Carbiener, John A.

Vickie Caison Obituaries

John A. Carbiener
January 7, 1919-January 4, 2008

ELKHART - John A. Carbiener, 88, died at 2:45 a.m. Friday Jan. 4, 2008 in Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Jan. 7, 1919. Survivors include his wife, Gladys; a grandchild and two great-grandchildren. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday in Waterman Westbrook Clouse Funeral Home. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Condolences may be sent to watermanfh@aol.com.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Brodersen, Wanetta Marie

Vickie Caison Obituaries

Wanetta Marie Brodersen
February 2, 1917-December 5, 2007

NILES - Wanetta Marie Brodersen, 90, of LaSalle Avenue, Niles, Michigan, died following an extended illness at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2007, in Silverbrook Manor, Niles.

Mrs. Brodersen was born on February 2, 1917, in Kimmell, Indiana, to Frank and Edna (Huff) Knauf. She had lived in Niles since 1954, coming from Berrien Springs, Michigan.

She was a member of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle in Niles. Wanetta and her husband, Henry, were active in a nursing home ministry, serving area nursing homes, and a prison outreach ministry, writing to over 70 prisoners monthly.

Wanetta loved flowers, indoor plants and birds. She was known for her baking skills, especially cookies.

On June 29, 1947, in Niles, she married Henry Brodersen, who preceded her in death on April 9, 2002.

Mrs. Brodersen is survived by their four daughters, Kathy (Rev. Wayne) Graham of Niles, Susan (Gary) Shelton of Jones, Michigan, Sharon (Larry) Lovell of Vernon, Texas, and Karen Tolliver of Dowagiac, Michigan; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service for Wanetta Marie Brodersen will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles, with Pastor William J. Pollock of the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today (Friday) in the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Wanetta may be made to the Apostolic Christian Tabernacle or to Riley Children's Hospital.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

McNitt, Orlo

Obit Editor Obituaries

Orlo D. McNitt
Dec. 19, 1912-Nov. 20, 2007

THREE RIVERS - Orlo "Mac" Dell McNitt, 94, of Riverview Manor in Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2007.

Mac was born on December 19, 1912, to the late William and Wavia (Palmer) McNitt, in Keeler, Michigan. He was one of three boys.

On December 19, 1934, Mac wed the love of his life, Lois McBain, at a ceremony in South Bend. She passed away in 2002.

Mac worked for National Standard until his retirement after 38 dedicated years of service.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, grandson Randy DeJonge, and brother James R. McNitt.

Mac is survived by his two daughters, Lois (Bruce) DeJonge of Niles and Shirley (Chuck) Cottrill of Three Rivers; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and a brother, Gail (Joanne) McNitt of Coldwater, MI.

A time of visitation will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2007, in Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Niles from noon to 1 p.m., with Mac's funeral service immediately following at 1 p.m. Mac will be interred at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Pastor Emmett Caldwell will be officiating.

Memorial donations may be made in Mac's memory to Hospice at Home, Inc., 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Condolences may left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Niles.

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