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.

Rice, Linda Alice

Linda Alice Rice
March 6, 1867-Nov. 15, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 16, 1933, page 1,col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Long Illness Fatal To Mrs. Linda Rice

Mrs. Linda Alice Rice, 66, died Wednesday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ray Nichols, 963 Hickory street, after a prolonged illness. Mrs. Rice was born in Niles March 6, 1867. Her husband, Walter, preceded her in death about five years ago.

Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Ella Early, two daughters, Mrs. Ray Nichols and Mrs. Emil Bachman, and two grandchildren, all of Niles.

Services will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. G.W. Simon of the Presbyterian church officiating.  Burial will follow in Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home any time before the services to view the body.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 17, 1933, page 2,col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

RICE RITES SATURDAY

Services for Mrs. Linda Alice Rice, 66, who died Wednesday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ray Nichols, 963 Hickory street, will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Price and Kiger funeral home.  The Rev. G.W. Simon of the Presbyterian church will officiate and burial will follow in Silverbrook cemetery.

Rodriguez, Rosina

Rosina Rodriguez
1898-Nov. 16, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 17, 1933, page 1,col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES WOMAN DRINKS FATAL POISON DOSE

Mrs. Rosina Rodriguez Mixes and Drinks Potion, Then Tells Nephew

Funeral services for Mrs. Rosina Rodriguez, wife of Joe Rodriguez, 1207 Wayne street, who died late Thursday afternoon after taking poison, will be held at the Rutherford Funeral home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mrs. Rodriguez, who was believed to be despondent due to recent ill health, took her life apparently after a carefully planned scheme.

Oliver and Leroy Pierson, nephews of the deceased were at the home Thursday afternoon and Mrs. Rodriguez, sent Oliver, the younger boy with a note to her husband explaining her action, and went into the kitchen and mixed the fatal dose of strychnine sulphate in a glass of water. After drinking the poison she ran back to the living room of the home and told Leroy, the older nephew what she had done.

Dr. Robert Henderson was summoned and arrived before death took place but was unable to offer aid to the stricken woman. Niles police were also called and the body was taken to the Price and Kiger funeral home. Later one of several notes to relatives, explaining the action was found and the note directed that the body be taken the  Rutherford Funeral home. It was taken there late Thursday evening.

The Rev. M.R. Everett will be in charge of the services from the Rutherford chapel and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Rodriguez is survived by her husband, Joe Rodriguez and by her mother, Mrs. Charles Weaver.  Two sisters, Mrs. John Weaver of Dowagiac and Mrs. Marshall Weaver of Niles and three brothers also survive. The brothers are Olive Camp of Cedar Rapids, Ia., William Camp of Chicago, and John Bocsen of Niles.

 

 

Starkweather, Frank

Frank Starkweather
1859-Jan. 27, 1933

The Journal-Era (Berrien Springs, Berrien Co. Michigan), Thursday, February 1, 1934, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.

FRANK STARKWEATHER DIES IN CALIFORNIA

Frank Starkweather, 75, former well known Berrien county Resident, died Saturday at San Diego, Calif., his home for the past 15 years or more. He had been ill for some time with a heart ailment. Funeral services were held in San Diego Monday.

For many years Mr. Starkweather lived in the Bend of the River neighborhood. He was on auctioneer and at one time represented Niles township as a supervisor.  He also served as a member of the Berrien County road commission.  Surviving Mr. Starkweather is the widow and a daughter, Mrs. Doris Sloan of Hammond, Ind.

 

Susan, William

William Susan
Oct. 28, 1878-Nov. 2, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 2, 1933, page 1,col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

William Susan Dies At Ann Arbor Today

William Susan, 55, 712 Maple street, trucking contractor of this city, died at 12:15 o'clock this afternoon at the University hospital, Ann Arbor, following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Susan had been reported improving at the hospital where he had been confined since Oct. 2, but suffered a heart attack abut noon which caused his death. Mrs. Susan had visited her husband a few days ago.

Surviving are the widow, three children, Delbert and Kenneth Susan, Miss Edith Suttan, Niles, and four brothers and sisters, John Susan, South Bend; Frank Susan, Niles, James Susan, Benton Harbor, and Mrs. Sarah Graff, South Bend.

Mr. Susan had lived in this city for the past 25 years and had been a trucking contractor, dealing in sand and gravel. He was born in Niles, Oct. 28, 1878, near Barron lake.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Troost and Turner Funeral home with the Rev. W.H. Turner, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiating.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 3, 1933, page 2,col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

SUSAN RITES MONDAY

Funeral rites for William Susan, 55, 712 Maple street, who died Thursday afternoon at the University hospital, Ann Arbor, will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Troost and Turner Funeral home. The Rev. W.H. Turner, pastor of the First Baptist church, will officiate. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body may be viewed at the funeral home from this evening until the hour of the funeral.

Mr. Susan died unexpectedly Thursday of a heart attack suffered about noon. He had been reported as improving.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 7, 1933, page 2,col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

SUSAN RITES HELD

Last rites for William Susan, 55, 72 Maple street, who died Thursday afternoon at he University hospital, Ann Arbor, were held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Troost and Turner funeral home. The Rev. W.H. Turner, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiated.  Interment was in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Thompson, Everett W.

Everett W. Thompson
May 4, 1863-Nov. 13, 1934

The Galien Gazette (Galien, Berrien Co., Michigan), Thursday, November 15, 1934, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library.

EVERT THOMPSON DIES IN KALAMAZOO HOSPITAL

Word was received here of the death of Evert Thompson, who died Tuesday at a Kalamazoo hospital after a long illness.

Funeral services were held this  (Thursday) afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the Rutherford funeral home at Niles, and interment will take place in Niles cemetery.

Mr. Thompson resided in Three Oaks several years ago, and was engaged as bridge contractor for the Michigan Central railroad. He was a member of the local order of F. & A.M., and several from here attended the services and had charge of the rites at the grave.  

Mr. Thompson is survived by two brothers, Frank, Galien, and Theodore, Berrien Springs.

Turner, Hubert or Herbert

Hubert Turner
Nov. 8, 1933-Nov. 8, 1933

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 9, 1933, page 1,col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Edwin Turner and Infant Son Die

Mrs. Anna E. Turner, 27, wife of Edwin Turner, 4 North St. Joseph avenue, and her newly-born son, Herbert, died Wednesday night at the home of her parents-in-law, the Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Turner, 515 Oak street.

The son died at 10 o'clock and at at 11:15 o'clock the mother died.

Surviving Mrs. Turner are the husband; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Banks, Milford, Conn., and a sister, Miss Lillian Banks, at home.

She was born Nov. 28, 1906, in Bridgeport, Conn., and was married Oct. 15, 1932 in Niles.

The body may be viewed at the Rutherford funeral home. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 10, 1933, page 2,col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

TO HOLD TURNER RITES

Funeral services for Mrs. Anna E. Turner, 27, wife of Edwin Turner, 4 North St. Joseph avenue, and daughter-in-law of the Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Turner, will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Rutherford funeral home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will officiate.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Turner died Wednesday night at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Turner, following the birth of a son, who preceeded her in death.

 

Turner, Anna E.

Anna Turner
Nov. 28, 1906-Nov. 8 1933

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 9, 1933, page 1,col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Edwin Turner and Infant Son Die

Mrs. Anna E. Turner, 27, wife of Edwin Turner, 4 North St. Joseph avenue, and her newly-born son, Herbert, died Wednesday night at the home of her parents-in-law, the Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Turner, 515 Oak street.

The son died at 10 o'clock and at 11:15 o'clock the mother died.

Surviving Mrs. Turner are the husband; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Banks, Milford, Conn., and a sister, Miss Lillian Banks, at home.

She was born Nov. 28, 1906, in Bridgeport, Conn., and was married Oct. 15, 1932 in Niles.

The body may be viewed at the Rutherford funeral home. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 10, 1933, page 2,col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

TO HOLD TURNER RITES

Funeral services for Mrs. Anna E. Turner, 27, wife of Edwin Turner, 4 North St. Joseph avenue, and daughter-in-law of the Rev. and Mrs. W.H. Turner, will be held at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Rutherford funeral home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, will officiate.  Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Turner died Wednesday night at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Turner, following the birth of a son, who preceeded her in death.