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.

Walter, Clarence H.

C.H. Walter
Oct. 21, 1899-Jan. 21, 1948


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, January 22, 1948, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

C.H. Walter, 48, who lived in Niles all his life, died Wednesday at his home, 312 Pokagon street. He had been ill one month.

Funeral services are set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the First Methodist church. The Rev. George L. Beacock, pastor, will conduct the rites. Interment will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body will be at the home until 1:30 p.m Saturday when it will be taken to the church.

Mr. Walter, who had  been an appliance dealer here, was active in civic affairs. He was a member of the First Methodist church., St. Joseph Valley lodge of F. and A.M., No. 4, and St. Joseph Valley chapter No. 2 R.A.M.

Born in NIles Oct. 21, 1899, he married Lillian Burgoyne on March 23, 1924 in Berrien Springs.

Besides his widow, Mr. Walter leaves three sons, Keith, Blair and Scott, all of Niles, his mother Mrs. Minnie Walter, and a sister, Mrs. Edna Gridley, both of Niles.

 

Martinson, Mathilda

Mathilda Martinson
Sept. 5, 1865-Jan. 18, 1948


Niles Daily Star, Monday, January 19, 1948, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Mathilda Martinson, 82, who came to Niles 37 years ago from Wisconsin, passed away at 2:50 o'clock, Sunday afternoon at her home at 640 South Third street. She had been in ill health for years.

Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home until time of  services at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. George Beacock, pastor of the First Methodist church, will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mrs. Martinson was born Sept. 5, 1865, in Oslo, Norway. Her husband, John, died a few years ago.

Surviving are five daughters, Joan Martinson, Mrs. Harvey Crouch, Mrs. Sam Foley, and Mrs. William Grafford, all of Niles; Mrs. Glen Waldorf, New London, O.; two sons, Niles Martinson, Bloomingdale; a brother, Godfred Schjoll, and a sister, Mrs. Magnus Erickson; both of Oslo, Norway; 18 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

 

 

Villwock, Martha A.

Martha Villwock, 92
Sept. 8, 1919-June 10, 2012

Niles Daily Star,Published online 10:37pm Monday, June 11, 2012

Martha A. Villwock, 92, of Jones Road in Berrien Township, died at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center following an extended illness.

She was born Sept. 8, 1919, in the home of her parents, Emil and Minnie (Preibe) Villwock in Berrien Township. She attended Oak Grove School, and had lived there most of her life, caring for her family and helping on the family farm.

Martha was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. She also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Berrien County Relay for Life.

She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States by train and automobile, and more recently, taking trips to the Four Winds Casino.

At home, “Mart” enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, feeding the hummingbirds and fishing from a rowboat. She is well remembered for gifts of afghans (crocheted while watching “Wheel of Fortune”), cooking and baking — especially the apple squares — and card games around the dining room table, where she was remarkably successful.

She is best remembered for her caring nature, putting everyone else first and every farewell ending with “be careful.”

On Sept. 24, 1938, at home on the farm, she married Henry “Hank” H. Villwock, with whom she celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary prior to his death on May 26, 2003.

She was also preceded in death by a great-grandson, Nolan Till, and by her siblings, Laura Gold and Albert, Lester and Max Villwock.

Surviving family includes four daughters, Alice (John) Conrad, of Churubusco, Ind., Carol (George) Schmidt, of Niles, Gwen (David) Stark, of Berrien Springs, and Marcia (John) Easton, of Niles; grandchildren, Sean Conrad, Paula (Jamie) Till, Lori (Rich) Byrd, George (Terri) Schmidt II, Stacey (Eric) Mierlak, Ryan (Katie) Stark and Erin (Pat Fortier) Easton; great-grandchildren, Corey Byrd, Keegan Till, Ava Schmidt, twins Jovi and Finn Schmidt and Ashley Burlingame; many nieces and nephews; and many special friends.

The funeral service for Martha Villwock will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, at St. John’s United Church of Christ with the Rev. Harry L. Clark, of the church, officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of Martha may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ or to Hospice at Home.

Williams, Ruth M.

Ruthie Williams, 72
Oct. 20, 1939-June 13, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 6:14pm Sunday, June 17, 2012

Williams

 

Ruth M. Williams, 72, of Niles, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles.

She was born Oct. 20, 1939, in Eau Claire to the late Rev. M.C. Cullen and Dennell (Morgan) Williams.

After graduating Niles High School, Ruth worked for several local companies, including Simplicity Pattern and National-Standard. She also worked as a security guard at Niles High School. She married Willie Williams at a ceremony on Feb. 14, 1980, in Niles.

Ruth was a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church for many years serving on the Mother’s Board along with various other positions, wherever she was needed. She loved reading God’s word and had a deep love for the Lord. Ruth was a kind and generous person always caring for the sick and helping others. She also enjoyed bowling and recently bowled with the Niles Senior League.

She is survived by her husband, Willie Williams, of Niles; children, Sherrie A. (Benjamin) Daniel, of Niles, Kimberly (Maurice) Hicks of Las Vegas, Michael Sea, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Earl K. Bostic Sr. of Niles, Gregory Williams of Sioux City, Iowa, Nicole Williams of Las Vegas, and Van (Nicole) Bostic, of California; three sisters, Dorothy Moore, of Niles, Janice Hall, of South Bend, and Cheryl (Henry) Singleton, of Sioux City, Iowa; a brother, Vernon Williams, of Peoria, Ill.; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a hosts of nieces, nephews and many other lives she has touched.

Her parents; a son, Robert Brown; a sister, Martha Miller; a brother, Mack Williams Jr.; and two grandchildren preceded Ruth in death.

A time of visitation will be Monday, June 18, at Brown Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19, at noon, with visitation beginning one hour prior at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St. in Niles, with Pastor Bryant Bacon officiating. An interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Photos, memories or condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Sands, Chris A.

Chris Sands, 62
Dec. 31, 1949-June 17, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:06pm Monday, June 18, 2012

Chris A. Sands, 62, of Thomson Road, Niles, died at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2012, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

He was born Dec. 31, 1949, in Niles to Winston and Marilyn (Schrumpf) Sands, and he lived in Niles all his life, graduating from Niles High School.

He had been employed at the electric utility department of the City of Niles, and had also been employed at Alt & Witzig Engineering and Wightman & Associates.

Chris was a musician, playing the guitar for the Cambridge Five rock band.

He enjoyed fishing in Lake Michigan, and camping at Bitely, Mich. He was a fan of the University of Michigan football program, and the NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On June 2, 1979, at Bethel Baptist Church in Niles, he married the former Beverly A. Blasingame, who survives. Also surviving are two sons and a daughter, Chad Sands, of Dowagiac, and Deanna Paolasso and Michael Bair, both of Niles; grandchildren, Caleb, Jarret, Ashleigh, Nate, Meleya and Gavin; and Chris’ brother, Dave (Helen) Sands, of Niles; and their children, Carrie and Mike.

The funeral service for Chris Sands will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 21, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman, of Bethel Baptist Church, officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Chris may be made to the donor’s choice.

Gillette, Edwin L.


Edwin L. Gillette
June 5, 1850-June 22, 1905


Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 23, 1905, page 1, col. 2-4, microfilm Niles District Library

TOOK HIS OWN LIFE

Alderman E.L. Gillette Cuts Short His Existence

GREAT SHOCK TO ALL

His Body Was Discovered about 6:30 O'clock Last Evening in the Cellar at His Home

 

Like a crashing thunderbolt out of a cloudless sky came the report last night that Alderman Edwin L. Gillette had sent a bullet into his brain with suicidal intent.

About 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Mr. Gillette, who was at his grocery store, asked his clerk, Jacob Jennings, where he could get a good revolver. The young man replied that he had one at home and that if he, Gillette, so desired, he would bring it to him when he returned from supper.   Mr. Gillette then said: "I wish you would go and get it now. There are some rats in my barn that I want to shoot and I intend to go up to the house pretty soon."

Mr. Jennings says he suggested that a rifle he has would answer the purpose much better, but that Mr. Gillette said, "No, I prefer the revolver."

The young man went home and got the gun, which is of the hammerless variety and of 32 calibre. Upon returning to the store, he gave the gun to Mr. Gillette, who did not seem to understand how it worked, whereupon Jennings said: "You simply pull the trigger and the gun will do the rest."

Jennings says that each chamber in the cylinder of the gun contained a cartridge, but that he thought that if his employer intended to attempt to exterminate a lot of rats, he would need more ammunition, hence he brought a box of cartridges from home and tendered them to him, but that the deceased laid them on a shelf, saying, "I won't need these, Jake."

Mr. Gillette then placed the gun in his inside coat pocket and proceeded to a barber shop and was shaved, after which he visited the office of Attorney N.H. Bacon. he then went to his home at 501 south Fourth street, got the key from where his wife and daughter, who were attending a social affair at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Gillette, had left it, and entered the house, locking the door behind him.

 

Clerk Becomes Suspicious

It has been customary for Mr. Jennings to go home to supper at 5 o'clock each afternoon, but Mr. Gillette failed to return to relieve him at that hour, and as time wore on and his employer failed to put in an appearance, the young man became suspicious that something had happened and about 6 o'clock, communicated his fears to W.H. Bullard, who went to the Gillette home and looked about the yard and stable, but found no trace of the missing man, whereupon he returned to the store.
At about 6:30 o'clock, Miss Ethel Gillette drove down to the store and stated to Messrs. Jennings and Bullard that she and her mother had just returned home, but that her father had evidently taken the key to the house and that she left her mother sitting on the porch while she came down after the key.  Mr. Bullard advised the young lady that her father was not at the store, but said that he had a key in his pocket which might unlock the door at the house, and that he would go back with her and try it.

Find Note on Table

A few minutes later an entrance was effected at the Gillette residence, and the daughter spied a note on the dining room table, alongside of which was her father's spectacles and watch and chain. The note contained the startling intelligence that the writer's body would be found in the cellar; that he regretted the step he was about to take; that his business matters would be found all straight, etc. The note contained some advice for the children, but  no reference was made to the motive which caused the writer to take his own life.

Body in Cellar

Mr. Bullard went down cellar and found the body lying on the floor, with the head resting on a sofa pillow. There was a hole over the right temple, where the bullet had entered, causing instant death.
Coroner Alonzo Platt was notified and upon his arrival the following jury was impanelled:  John Burge, Chas Case, Fred Powell, Walter Smith, D. Sheehand and James Hatch.
After reviewing the remains, the jury took an adjournment until this morning at 9 o'clock.
Sketch of His Life
Edwin Gillette was born on a farm in Bertrand township, about three and a half miles southwest of here, 55 years ago. He continued to reside on the homestead until about 12 years ago, when he came to Niles and engaged in the retail grocery business, the firm name being Gillette & Hatfield, until a couple of years ago, when Mr. Gillette bought his partner's interest in the business.
The deceased was identified with Tent No. 99 of the K.O.T.M.M, of which order he was finance keeper; also with the Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of the congregation of the Baptist church, and was active in church work.
Politically the deceased was prominent in local republican politics and was serving a second term in the council as alderman from the Third ward.
Mr. Gillette was fair and honorable in his business dealings and was respected by all who knew him. He leaves a wife, one daughter and two sons, Miss Ethel and William and Ralph, all of this place.

Was in Poor Health

The deceased had been suffering with stomach trouble for some time, and had not eaten anything yesterday, hence it is the opinion of his family that he became despondent and temporarily deranged.

Verdict of Jury.

The coroner's jury reconvened at Miss Belle Cross' office at 9 o'clock this morning and listened to the testimony of W.H. Bullard, Jacob Jennings and Silas Gorton, the two having been clerk and driver respectively for the deceased. The testimony of these witnesses brought out nothing further than what is stated in the foregoing and some fo the jurymen were in for sending for other witnesses, with a view to getting at the true inwardness of the case, but after considerable discussion, it was decided that it was a plain case of suicide and that the motive was of no particular consequence.
After deliberating for a few minutes, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased took his own life during a fit of temporary aberration.
Funeral Announcement
The funeral of the late Edwin L. Gillette will take place from the home at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, under the auspices of the Maccabees and Knights of Pythias.  The service will be conducted by Rev. James McGee of Kalamazoo, assisted by Rev. Mr. Strickland of this city. Interment at Silver Brook.

Gillette, Lewis

Lewis Gillette
Dec. 14, 1873-April 14, 1894


Niles Republican, Thursday, April 19, 1894, page 5, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Lewis Gillette

 

Lewis, the elder son of Edwin L. Gillette, aged 20 years, died on Saturday, April 14, 1894, at the home, four miles west of Niles.

Deceased had only been sick a few months. He was a young man of exceptionally good qualities and habits. The death of such an one seems unfortunate to society, where they are so much needed, but He that rules in righteousness does all things well. Deceased died in calm and conscious trust in the Christian faith.

The funeral on Monday was attended by a large concourse of relatives and friends, and after a very impressive service, conducted by Rev. W.A. Welsher, D.D., of the Baptist church of Niles, the remains were conveyed to Silver Brook cemetery and buried. The sympathy of this community is with the bereaved ones.