Obituaries

Harold L. Briney
July 23, 1912-May 24, 1987

Harold Lealand Briney, 74, 1229 Phoenix St., Niles, died at 10:55 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph’s Medical Center following a long illness.

In 1974 he retired as a machinist with Clark Equipment Co., Buchanan, and was a member of Modern Woodman, the Buchanan moose Lodge Nor 449 and the Berrien Krusers of Good Sam Club. He also belonged to first Presbyterian Church.

Born July 23, 1912 in New Troy, he was a lifelong area resident.

On Nov. 7, 1932 in Paw Paw he married Evelyn M. Burton, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Harold L. Briney Jr. of Niles; two daughters, Betty Knoll of Niles and Carol Moyer of Las Vegas; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren . a daughter, Mary Lee Briney, died in 1967.

Services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, with Rev. Donald E. Nepstad of First Presbyterian Church, Buchanan, officiating. Burial will be at Silverbook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the funeral home.

‘Memorial may be made to Berrien County Hospice; the Berrien County Cancer Services of First Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown 

Helen Briney
Dec. 14, 1898-Dec 31, 1972

NILES – Mrs. Helen Briney, 74, of 85 Marmont St., died at 6:10 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital.

She was born Dec. 14, 1898, in Dayton, Mich. On Feb. 12, 1972 at Buchanan, she married Harry Briney who survives.

Survivors include two sons, Homer Zinninger of Buchanan and Richard Zinninger of Miami, FL; three daughters, Mrs. Ruby Reynolds of Niles, Mrs. Shirley Weaver of Buchanan and Mrs. Betty Arend of South Bend; two stepsons, Harold Briney of Niles and Kenneth Zinninger of Buchanan; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Ruth Sherman of Pierceton; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Pifer Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joe Johnson of the First church of Christ Christian officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the heart fund.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Robert Damon Briney
April 21, 1957-May 21, 1993

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 22, 1993, page 2, col. 4-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert Damon Briney
1957-1883
Former Community
Substance Abuse Services
employee in Allegan

Graveside funeral services for Robert Damon Briney, 36, 1615 N. Fifth St., Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery, with the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg Officiating.

Briney died at 1:25 p.m. Thursday in his mother’s residence in Niles, follow a brief illness.

Born April 21, 1957, in Niles, he was a lifetime area resident.

He was a former employee of Community Substance Abuse Services Inc. of Allegan. He attended San Francisco State University and the El Torro Marine Corps Training School in El Torro, Calif. He was a graduate of State Technical Institute in Plainwell.

Survivors include his mother, Georgie Perkins of Niles; four sisters, Katherine Briney of Niles, Rebecca Lidecker of Constantine, Mich., Rhonda Briney of Niles and Joyce Perkins of Niles; three brothers, Roger Briney of Front Royal, Va., Randy Briney of Edwardsburg and Cy Perkins of Niles; and a close friend, Edward L. Bryan of Stamford, Conn. He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Briney.

Friends may cal from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Halbritter Funeral Home

Memorials contributions may be made to Hospice at home.

Celestia M. Burge
1838-Feb. 28, 1914

Mrs. John Y. Burge was an old resident.

Died this morning, leaving two sons and two daughters.

One of the oldest residents of this city, having resided her 50 years, Mrs. John Y. Burge, died at 8:40 o’clock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. David Billett, 214 North Second Street. She had been seriously ill for two weeks, the cause of her demise being a general breakdown.

Mrs. Burge was born in Maryland, 72 years ago, and was married in Darke county, Ohio, in 1854. Together with her husband they came to Niles in 1862, where he followed the business of building mover. The husband passed away but a short time ago. She had many friends and was indeed an excellent woman. She was a member of the Relief corps of Frank Graves Post No. 47.

The daughters and sons are Mrs. U.C. Albright of Union City, In, and Mrs. David Billet of Niles; the sons are Wm. E. and W.S. Burge of this city.

Her home was at 1198 Sycamore Street, from which place the funeral will be held, probably Tuesday afternoon although the exact date cannot be stated at this time.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Ella Burge
March 28, 1850-January 16, 1919

Mrs. Ella Burge died Last Night

Surrounded by her five children, Mrs. Ella Burge, a former well know Niles lady, died at the home of her daughters. Mrs. W. W. Bracken of Jackson Mich., last night at 9:30 o’clock. Harry Burge journey on the fastest trains from Los Angeles, Calif., and arrived at his mother’s bedside 20 minutes before his mother passed away.

Mrs. Burge was a daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Jacob Brown, pioneer settlers in Niles. She was born in this city March 28, 1850. Her husband, Henry Burge, died Several years ago.

Deceased had been in ill health for a long time and in the hope of bettering her condition she went to California, where she remained about a year. Four months ago she started for home. Enroute she became ill and instead of coming her she was taken through Niles on a stretcher to the home of Mrs. Bracken, in Jackson.

Her children are Mrs. W. Keirn, Pittsburgh, PA; Mrs. W.W. Bracken, Jackson, Mich.; Mrs. H. C. Winters, Madison, WIS, Worth Burge, New York City and Harry Burge, Los Angeles, Cal. She is also survived by four sisters and a brother, who are Mrs. Thomas Dougan and Mrs. Emma Mahoney of Niles, Mrs. Lemon, Cincinnati, Ohio; Mrs. Clevering, Chicago, IL, and Will Brown of this city.

Funeral services will be held in Jackson and the body will be taken directly from the 12:30 noon Michigan Central train to Silver Brook Cemetery tomorrow. Rev. Peatross will officiate at the grave.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

Icy Marie Burge
June 24, 1900-February 8, 1977

NILES - Mrs. Icy Marie Burge, 76, formerly of 1323 Eagle St., died at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Wilmington Medical Center, Wilmington, Del., following an extended illness.

Mrs. Burge was born June 24, 1900, in Burlington, Ind., and lived in that area for a year. On Feb. 1, 1917, she married John Y. Burge in Niles. He preceded her in death on June 7,1964.  Survivors include Mrs. Kenneth (Norma) Hartman of Wilmington, Del., a sister; Delbert Susan of Texas, a half brother; Mrs. Walter Sutton of Niles, a half sister; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, the Rev. Harold G. Kaiser of St. John’s United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. 

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown