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.

Merritt, George Curtis 1883-1940

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George Curtis Merritt
Feb. 11, 1883- Nov. 23, 1940

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 25, 1940, page 1, col. 8; Continued page 2, col. 1

WORKMAN KILLED IN DITCH CAVE-IN ON MICHIGAN ST.

Victim Smothers as Walls Collapse; Buried Under 18 Inches of Clay

Killed Saturday in cave-in of a water-line trench, George C. Merritt, 57, of 1517 Michigan street, will be buried Tuesday in Silverbrook cemetery after rites at 2 in the Rutherford funeral home.

The Rev. Harry Barnett, pastor of the Full Gospel Assembly, will conduct the service.

Merritt was suffocated late Saturday—probably about 4:30—beneath 18 inches of clay when the walls gave way as he worked alone in a seven-foot-deep ditch, laying water pipes into the home of A.N. Cochrane, 1535 Michigan street.

Discovered at 5 P.M.

The accident was discovered at 5 o'clock when his grandson went to Cochrane's to call Merritt for his evening meal.

Cochrane, told of the cave-in, started shovelling to locate Merritt while police, the fire department's pulmotor squad and an ambulance were called.

Despite belief that Merritt was dead when taken from the ditch, firemen used the pulmotor until the ambulance reached Pawating hospital. There physicians pronounced the victim dead.

Native of Niles

Merritt, a laborer at Silverbrook cemetery, was born here Feb. 11, 1883, and had lived here all his life.

He was married in 1907 to Hazel Kizer, who died in 1910, and again in 1917 to Mrs. Martha Cook, who survives.

Other survivors are his mother, Mrs. Sarah Merritt, Niles; a son, Arthur Merritt, south Bend; three stepchildren, Thomas Cook,with the U.S. Army in Hawaii; Silver Cook, Grand Rapids, and Mrs. Katie Scheittecatte, Mishawaka; two sisters, Mrs. Arthur Thompson and Mrs. Sadie Ray, Niles; a brother, Frank W. Merritt, Niles; the grandson and six step-grandchildren.

Another sister, Mrs. George Huff, died in March.

 

 

McMenamin, Thomas G. 1888-1940

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Thomas G. McMenamin
Sept. 20, 1888-Nov. 11, 1940

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 11, 1940, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

T.G. McMenamin, Resident of Niles 14 Years, is Dead

Thomas G. McMenamin, 52, who had lived in Niles 14 years, died early this morning of pneumonia. Death occurred at his home, 610 Vine street, at 3:15.

Mr. McMenamin was one of the voters who stood in the line during the rain storm last Tuesday at an election precinct. Physicians believe the exposure induced pneumonia which caused his death.

He was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where he was born Sept. 20, 1888. He came to Niles from St. Thomas, Ont., in 1926. He was a member of the Eagles lodge.

Mr. McMenamin was married in St. Thomas in 1913 to Miss Catherine Verrell, who survives. He also leaves four children―Thomas, Helen, George and James, all at home.

Other members of his family are two brothers and two sisters, John McMenamin, New Jersey and Hughe McMenamin, Chicago; Mrs. Elizabeth Aird and Mrs. Emily Vandervort, both of Chicago.

Services will be Wednesday afternoon, at 2:30 in the Pifer funeral home, the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home prior to the services.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, November 12, 1940, page 2, col. 4

McMenamin Rites Wednesday at 2:30; Eagles Will Attend

Frank Shardonow, Frank Gleason, John Helleger, W.F. Glaser, Wesley Baker and George Zechlin will be pallbearers Wednesday afternoon at the funeral services for Thomas G. McMenamin. Mr. McMenamin died early Monday morning in his home, 610 Vine street.

Omitted from the list of survivors Monday was Mr. McMenamin's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth McMenamin, Chicago.

Services will be at 2:30 in the Pifer funeral home, the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating.

Members of the Eagles lodge, of which Mr. McMenamin was a member, will attend.

 

McClure, Timothy Scott 1959-1987

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Timothy Scott McClure
Oct. 10, 1959-March 4, 1987

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, March 5, 1987, page 1, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Man Killed while crossing US-31-33

Niles—A pedestrian was killed Wednesday night after being struck by two automobiles while crossing US-33 South near Bertrand Road.

According to Niles Township police, Timothy Scott McClure, 27, 2718 East St., Niles, was attempting to cross US-33 south at Shula's bowling alley when he was hit by two southbound vehicles. He was dead at the scene of the 10:22 p.m. accident, police said.

Further details of the accident were withheld, including the names of both drivers. An investigation continues.

Township police were assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police at the Niles Post.

McClure was an employee of Georgie Boy Manufacturing, Edwardsburg.

He was born Oct. 10, 1959 in Niles, where he lived his entire lifetime.

Survivors include: his mother, Mary Jane McClure of Niles; a grandmother, Mary Burns of South Bend, Ind.; two brothers, Richard and Norman, both of Niles; and three sisters, Nancy Fuller of Hollywood, Fla., Lydia McClure of Buchanan, and Peggy McClure of Niles.

Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call after noon Friday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Niles Lions Club for Sight Conservation.

 

 

Morris, Kenneth Arthur 1904-1987

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Kenneth Arthur Morris
Aug. 18, 1904-April 11, 1987

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, April 13, 1987, page 2, col 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Kenneth Arthur Morris, 82, 2714 Horton Court, Niles, died at 8:50 a.m. Saturday at Woodfield Manor. A lifetime area resident, he was born Aug. 18, 1904 and was a retired tool and die maker with Capitol Tool and Die Shop.

On July 19, 1932 in Goshen, Ind., he married Helen Hansen who survives. Also surviving are three sons, Kenneth Morris Jr., of Milwaukee, Conrad Morris of Westmont, Ill., and Robert Morris of St. Joseph; two daughters, Patricia Neesley of Coldwater, Sue Cuddeback of Niles; 20 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Rev. Leo Kostizen officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call 2 to 4 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Niles Community Library.

Machemer, Arthur Earl 1943-1978

editor Obituaries

Arthur Earl Machemer
Sept. 22, 1943-Dec. 18, 1978

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, December 19, 1978, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles—Arthur Earl Machemer, 35, of 1633 North 13th St., died at 11:45 a.m. Monday at the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, following a brief illness.

A veteran of the U.S. Navy and a pressman for Simplicity Pattern Co., he was born Sept. 22, 1943 in Centreville, and lived his lifetime in the area.

On Aug. 3, 1968 in Niles he married Cathy J. Frucci, who survives.

Also surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur T. Machemer of Niles; a son, Joey A. at home; a daughter, Amy at home; a brother, Melvin of Stevensville; and a sister, Mrs. Jack Bair of Marcellus.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John D. Slowey officiating.

Friends may call beginning Wednesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home.

 

Larsen, Jacobean 1862-1940

editor Obituaries

Jacobean Larsen
April 22, 1862-Nov. 24, 1940*

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, November 25, 1940, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Former Resident of Niles Stricken in Buchanan Home

Buchanan, Nov. 25—Mrs. B. Larsen died Sunday morning at 10:30 in the family home, 414 East Front street, her death terminating a long illness.

Surviving are her husband; a son, Charles Larsen, Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Andrea V. Wright, Buchanan, and Mrs. Henrietta Kiblinger, Detroit; four grandchildren, Ben Larsen, Chicago; Andrea Larsen, Detroit; Clayton Larsen; Benton Harbor,and Virginia Wright, Buchanan; also two great-grandchildren, Jan Allen Larsen, and Sheila Kay Larsen, Chicago.

She was born in Oslo, Norway, and came to Buchanan from Niles in 1928.

Services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Swem funeral chapel, the Rev. Wanzer Brunelle officiating. Burial will be in the mausoleum at Silverbrook cemetery in Niles.

Mrs. Larsen was a member of the Niles Presbyterian church and the Niles chapter of Eastern Star and Royal Neighbors of America.

*Death Record has name as Jacobina; dob from Death Record

Kubeck, James F. 1897-1987

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James F. Kubeck
Oct. 7, 1897-April 9, 1987

Niles Daily Star, Friday, April 10, 1987, page 2 col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

James F. Kubeck, 89, 1020 Huntly Road, Niles, died at 4:20 p.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital following an extended illness.

He was a retired employee of Penn Central Railroad, and a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers and a life member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4 4 F&A.M.

Kubeck was born Oct. 7, 1897, in Alba, and lived in Niles since 1924, coming from Grayling.

In Frederick, he married Emily Oleson, who died in 1952.

Survivors include: a brother, John Kubeck of Grand Rapids; a son-in-law, Rex W. Weller; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A daughter, Shirley M. Weller, died July 15, 1983.

Funeral services are 11 a.m. Monday at Halbritter Funeral Home with William Taylor of Jehovah's Witnesses officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.