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.

Johnson, Nadine

Nadine Johnson
Jan. 8, 1925-June 17, 1926


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 17, 1926, page 1 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

BABY, 18 MONTHS OLD, KILLED BY SEDAN ON WALK

 

Nadine Johnson, the eighteen months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Johnson, 40 River street, was killed almost instantly this morning when she was accidently struck by an Oakland sedan driven by Harvey Andress, who lives near Niles on the Barron Lake road. The accident occurred at about 10:50 o'clock. Mr. Andress who had been delivering some packages at the house next door to the Johnson home was backing his car out of the driveway between the two houses. The little girl was playing with her seven year old sister on a sidewalk directly behind the moving car.  Mr. Andress watched the older child until he saw she was out of the way and then proceeded down the drive. He did not see the baby and had no way of knowing that she was in his path, as as she made no outcry, did not know he had struck her until the car passed into the street.

When he saw the little body lying motionless on the pavement he immediately picked it up and carried it into the house. Medical aid was summoned but the child died before the doctors arrived.  Death is attributed to a fractured skull. It is thought that the little girl was knocked down by the car and struck her head on the pavement, thus fracturing her skull, as there are no broken bones to indicate that the wheels of the car passed over the body.

Coroner Hardy Langston called a jury composed of Lou Goodsell, Frank Miller, Ed Power, Floyd Bush, Harold Hutton, Revel Fowler, who visited the scene of the tragedy, viewed the body and will meet at his office tomorrow morning at 9:00 o'clock to render a verdict.

The boday was taken to the Rutherford funeral home immediately but no definite arrangements have been made for the funeral.

The little girl was one of a family of eight children, all of whom were under nine years of age. Mr. Johnson is a car inspector for the Michigan Central, and had left for Chicago for the day shortly before the accident.  A telegram was sent to Chicago to him, apprising him of the tragedy.

 

Nieb, Anna (Brechenser)

Anna Nieb
Sept. 9, 1845-July 1, 1926


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, July 1, 1926, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Anna Nieb, a Niles Resident For Sixty Years, Passes Away

 

Mrs. Anna Neib, widow of David Neib, a resident of Niles or vicinity for more than 60 years, died Thursday morning at 10:15 o'clock at her home, 621 Pokagon street. While Mrs. Neib had been in ill health for more than a year, three months ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis, and had since been confined to her bed.

Mrs. Neib's maiden name was Anna Brechenser. She was born in Germany on September 9, 1945. At the age of 17 years she came to America and located in Niles. She was married to David Neib on November 14, 1867, and both lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary eight years ago. Of the nine children born to them, four died in infancy. The five children survive who are: Mrs. W.J. Conrad, Sumnerville; Mrs. E.B. Straehly, Burr Oak; Mrs. Walter Montgomery and Mrs. Charles Neib, Barron Lake, and Mrs. J.D. O'Donnell, of Niles. Nine grandchildren and one great grandchild also survive. Mr. and Mrs. Neib lived for many years on a farm two miles north of Niles, or until 15 years ago when they moved to Niles. Mr. Neib died in February three years ago.

Mrs. Neib was well known and highly respected throughout the community.

The funeral plans have not been completed but the services may be held on Sunday.

 

Skalla, Bessie (Martin)

Bessie Skalla
Died Jan. 2, 1933


Niles Daily Star, Friday, January 6, 1933, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Skalla, widow of Eugene Skalla, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford Funeral home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be made in the Skalla family lot in Silverbrook cemetery. Mrs. Skalla died in Grace hospital in Detroit on Monday.  The body was brought to the Rutherford Funeral home yesterday afternoon.  Mrs. Skalla remained . . .[illegible] . . . in the home of Mrs. Elsie Skalla, after . . .[illegible] . . .ago and then went to Detroit where she had since lived.

 

Skalla, Eugene Paul

Eugene Skalla
Aug. 15, 1889*-July 2, 1926


Niles Daily Star, Friday, July 2, 1926, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

EUGENE SKALLA LOSES IN LONG HEALTH BATTLE

 

Paul Skalla received the sad message this afternoon of the death in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of his son, Eugene.  The body will be shipped to Niles for burial, although it is not known just when it will arrive.

Eugene was born in Niles in August, 1889. He was educated in the Niles public schools. About 13 years ago his health began to fail and he went to Albuquerque, and had since made his home there, being unable to stand the rigorous climate of the north during the winter. He made visits home frequently but on account of his health was able to remain for but a brief time. He had returned to Albuquerque on May 28 after one of these visits.

He is survived by his father and by one brother, Lawrence, of Niles. His mother died seven years ago. He had many friends in Niles and whose sympathy is extended to the bereaved father and brother.

 

*dob from Michigan Births @FamilySearch.org

 

Hirt, Marie M.

Marie M. Hirt
March 5, 1914-Oct. 30, 1992


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 2, 1992, page 2, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

Marie M. Hirt
1914-1992
Retired from
Simplicity Pattern Co.

Graveside funeral services for Marie M. Hirt, 78, 21 Carriage Lane, Niles, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. David M. Mitchell of Faith Victory Fellowship, in Buchanan, officiating.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Hirt died at 10:24 p.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital following a brief illness.

Born March 5, 1914, in Mishawaka, Ind., she lived in the area all of her life.

She worked at Simplicity Pattern and retired in 1974 after 31 years there. She was a member of the Bookbinders Union, Local 158.

She is survived by two daughters, Pat East of Niles and Shirley Prenkert of Niles; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.

Arrangements were handled by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

 

Bates, Clarinda

Mrs. Clarinda Bates
Abt. 1829-Nov. 2, 1902


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 4, 1902, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. C. BATES

Death of Former Well-Known Niles Lady

 

News has been received here of the sudden death on last Saturday night of Mrs. C. Bates, a former well-known resident of this place. Mrs. Bates' sudden demise is ascribed to heart trouble. She passed away at her home in Marcellus,Ill. Deceased is survived by one son, Harley Bates, of Springfield, Mo. She was a sister of Mr. U.H. Stebbins, of near this place.

The remains will arrive here tomorrow over the Michigan Central, at 5:30 o'clock. Interment will take place at Silverbrook.


Niles Republican, Thursday, November 6, 1902, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED SUDDENLY

Remains of Mrs. John Bates Will be Brought Here


Monday's Sun

The remains of Mrs. Clarinda Bates, a sister of U.H. Stebbins, will arrive here from Marseilles, Ill., tomorrow evening at 5:37 o'clock and be taken to Silver Brook cemetery, where, after a brief funeral service, they will be laid to rest by the side of her husband, the late John Bates.

The death of Mrs. Bates occurred Saturday at Marseilles and was caused by heart failure, her demise being very sudden,

The deceased was for many years a resident of this vicinity, having for a long time resided with her husband on the Eisner place on Yankee street, and for some time lived south of Niles. She leaves one son, Harley Bates.

 

Brydon, May (Engser)

May Brydon
May 3, 1876-May 26, 1949


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 26, 1949, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. May Brydon, 1332 Broadway, died at 2:15 a.m. today at Pawating hospital. She had been in Por health for the past two months.

Her husband, George, died in 1932, and she leaves no children, brothers or sisters. Bron in Chatswoorth, Ill., May 3, 1876, she came here from Kansas 23 years ago. Mrs. Brydon was a member of the Women's Benefit association. . .

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, May 28, 1949, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

SURVIVOR NAMED

Among survivors of Mrs. May Brydon, not reported previously are a number of nieces and nephews, including Mrs. Gladys Bosler, 1332 Broadway, with whom Mrs. Brydon had made her home before her death on Thursday.