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.

Hess, Hattie A.

HATTIE A. HESS
abt 1866-Aug. 1, 1937


MRS. HATTIE HESS, MOTHER OF 11, DIES

Prominent Church Worker Succumbs to Five-Year Illness Sunday

 

Mrs. Hattie A. Hess, 66, mother of 11 children, died at 8:30 o'clock Sunday morning in her home, 915 North Third Street. Mrs. Hess had been in ill health for the past five years, but her condition was not considered serious until six months ago.

She had lived in Niles almost her entire life, having moved here with her parents at the age of two from Saxony, Germany. She was married April 15, 1891, to Richard W. Hess by the late Rev. Rahn in St. John's Evangelical church.

Besides her husband, she leaves four sons, Arthur F., Edward P. and Melvin, all of Niles; Clarence J, Marshall, and William K., Kalamazoo; one daughter, Miss Minnie Hess, Niles; two sisters, Mrs. Adam Kinsel, Three Oaks, and Mrs. Mary Dittmer, Buchanan; a half-brother, Charles Schauber, Niles, and four grandchildren.

Two daughters, Mrs. Hattie Peterson, and Mrs. Esther Kosin, and three sons, Leo, Carl and Harold, preceded their mother in death.

Mrs. Hess was an active member of St. John's Evangelical church and its Ladies' Aid society.

Funeral services will be held in the church at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Theo Eisen officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

The body will lie in state at the church from 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon until the hour of the funeral .


Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 2, 1937, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

Tuttle, Joseph S.

Joseph S. Tuttle
May 20, 1827-June 24, 1921


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Friday, June 24, 1921, page 1, col. 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library

JOSEPH S. TUTTLE

 

JOSEPH S. TUTTLE, aged 94, oldest business man in years of service in Niles, having for many years engaged in buying and selling hides and furs, in addition to other interests, passed peacefully away at about 8:30 o'clock this morning at the beautiful, vine-clad home he loved so well, 507 Main street.  Mr. Tuttle underwent a major operation a few weeks ago, as a result of infection, which necessitated the amputation of his left leg above the knee, and the shock, coupled with the infirmities of old age, resulted in his demise. All during his last illness, Mr. Tuttle was hopeful and cheerful, despite his affliction and the last hour of his life was typical of its happiness. Throughout his long life his quiet humor was the continual bubble of joy. As a young man he felt that the church was an agency for helping people to more of life's abundance, and he wanted to help. For many years he taught a class in the Methodist Sunday school, and as the years rolled on and he acquired a beautiful home, which he surrounded with flowers, shrubbery, fish ponds, fountain etc. he used to delight in entertaining his class at this home, and there are some of his pupils living here today who, although aged and grey, recall that Mr. Tuttle taught them the Golden Rule.  The late John Dodge, multi-millionaire motor car manufacturer, was one of Mr. Tuttle's pupils who, when occasion offered about a year ago, paid "the debt immense of endless gratitude," by conferring upon his old Sunday school teacher, a life lease of the grand old home which, after many vicissitudes of fortune, was about to be lost to its owner. This rift in the clouds on a grey day threw a shaft of sunlight into the soul of the old teacher, now flaming in eager joy upon some other dawn; which well repaid him for that portion of his vigorous manhood which he devoted during the golden days of this activity to leading the children under this tutelage in the paths of righteousness.  Mr. Tuttle also served as a member of the board of education, the cause of education being dear to him.

This "grand old man" was born in the village of Northeast, Erie county, Pa., May 20, 1827. The ancestor of the American family of Tuttles was John Tuttle, who came to this country from Herfordshire, England, in the ship "Planter" in 1635, with his wife and four children, one of the latter settling in New Hampshire, another in New Haven and a third in New York. The coat of arms of the family is a hand holding flowers, and it is characteristic of the members of the Tuttle family to be fond of plants and flowers.

Members of the Tuttle family have served their country in various wars.  Joel Tuttle was in the Continental regiment; Lucius Tuttle as an ensign on duty at Fishkill in 1777; Timothy Tuttle, father of the subject of this sketch, served as a sergeant in the Revolutionary war and Jediah Tuttle was a sergeant at Ticonderoga.

The Tuttle family can boast of a sober, temperate lineage and Joseph S. Tuttle was of the original prohibition workers in this county.

Mr. Tuttle served a six-year apprenticeship in a tannery at Erie, Pa., and traveled by stage coach to Niles in 1848, about a year before the Michigan Central railroad was built through to NIles from the east. He was then 21 years old. In 1851, Mr. Tuttle embarked in the business of buying hides and furs. He said that game, including deer, was very plentiful hereabouts in thosr days, and there there were many otter in the St. Joseph river, which teemed with fish.

Mr. Tuttle recalled the immense tide of emigration which started westward through here at the time of the discovery of gold in California in 1848, and said that many of the gold-seeker came her to get shoes for their dogs, as the dogs could not cross the plains barefooted on account of the cactus.

Mr. Tuttle has been a great lover of fish culture, as previously stated, and the spacious grounds surrounding his home used to be dotted with ponds inhabited by trout, gold fish and members of other finny tribes.

There is not a man in business here today who was engaged in commercial pursuits when Mr. Tuttle started here.

Mr. Tuttle is survived by three daughters--Mrs. Anna Bigelow, Niles; Miss Ruth Tuttle, Chicago, and Mrs. V.C. Clealand of Minneapolis.

Mr. Tuttle was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Brown, a native of Pennsylvania. His second wife, and the mother of the three surviving daughters, was Miss Nancy Morehead, to whom he was married in 1870. She [was]also a native of Northeast, Pa.

The funeral services will be held at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon from the residence, Rev. J.R.T. Lathrop, pastor of the Methodist church, will officiate.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Daily Star-Sun, Monday, June 27, 1921, page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

CONSIGN TO EARTH REMAINS OF J.S. TUTTLE

Impressive Funeral Rites Performed at the Home at Sunset Hour, Typical of the Serene Close of a Long Life


"Sunset and evening star,
And after that the dark,
And may there be no sadness of farewell
When I embark"


Peculiarly appropriate was the sunset hour for the holding of the funeral services for the late Joseph S. Tuttle, which were conducted at the home at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon by Rev. Clarke S. Wheeler, pastor of the M.E. church of St. Joseph, who was for years a warm personal friend of the late Mr. Tuttle, and who took occasion to speak in commendation of the character and services of the deceased.

A quartette composed of Mrs. Rolfe Taylor, Gordon Bair, Mrs. C.A. Forburger and Dick Hamilton, sang Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar," and another of the Mr. Tuttle's favorites, entitled, "In the Cross of Christ I Glory."

Rev. J.R. T. Lathrop spoke feelingly of the public life of the deceased, and of his many noble attributes.

At the conclusion of the services the mortal remains of this grand old man were conveyed to their last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery, and "within their narrow cell forever laid."

The pallbearers were E.E. Woodford, Carmi R. Smith, F. Harrington, H.B. Laberteaux, Roy Koontz and A.D. Bartholomew.

Dougan, Fred J.

Fred J. Dougan
June 8, 1863-July 7, 1897


OBITUARY

 

Fred J. Dougan died at the residence of his parents Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Dougan in West Niles, July 7, 1897. He was born in Niles June 8, 1863.  In November, 1878 he was employed as fireman in the Michigan Central railroad yards at Chicago; from there he went to firing on the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan in 1882. In December, 1885, he was promoted to the position of engineer with the same company and remained in their employ until July, 1887, when he decided to go west and in August 1887, he went to work for the Atchison & Santa Fe railroad, and ran the construction train while they were building their road through the Indian Territory. From there he run from Spury to Englewood, Kansas, for the same company until his health began to fail and he went south in September, 1888, and commenced working for the Kansas City, Memphis & Burmingham railroad, and remained in their employ until December, 1896, when his health again failed him and the company gave him one year's leave of absence. Hoping he could regain his health he went to Denver, Colorado.  He seemed to improve for a time, but later began having hemorrhages, and losing strength, he decided to return home. He was home just eight weeks when death relieved him of his sufferings.

He was married May 20, 1885 to Miss Pearl Brown of Benton Harbor, Mich.  There were three children born to them, one of which died in March, 1893. He leaves a wife, a little daughter and an infant son; mother and father and two brothers to mourn his loss.

He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Ancient Eccenic[sic] Order, of Aberdeen, Mississippi.


Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, July 21, 1897, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Whitehead, Marian Jean

Marian Jean Whitehead
Oct. 5, 1934-Nov. 1, 1995


Obituaries

Marian Jean Whitehead

1934-1995

child abuse and neglect volunteer

 

Graveside services for Marian Jean Whitehead, 61, of 2534 Bond St., Niles, will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Silverbrook Cemetery by the Rev. Arnold O. Schaap of Edwardsburg.

Mrs. Whitehead died at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, at Lakeland Medical Center-Niles, following a brief illness.

She was born Oct. 5, 1934, in Calumet City, Ill., and had lived in Niles most of her life.

On Feb. 15, 1956, in Falmouth, Mass., she married William G. Whitehead, who died Dec. 18, 1980.

Mrs. Whitehead was legal secretary at Legal Debt Relief in Niles. She had also served 12 years as clerk and manager of Golden Eagle Motel in Niles.

She was a member of Michiana First Assembly of God, Niles, and a student at Southwestern Michigan College; a member of American Association of Retired Persons; and served as a volunteer for Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, Cass County DSS.

Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Snavely of Niles, and Wanda Gerold of Bridgman; a son, James Whitehead of Bridgman; eight grandchildren; and a brother, George Carr of South Bend, Ind. One sister and one brother preceded her in death.

There will be no visitation.

Memorial contributions may be made to LeSea Global Feed the Hungry.

Arrangements were completed by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, November 2, 1995, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Milburn, Rosemary H.

Rosemary H. Milburn
Feb. 17, 1936-Nov. 2, 1995

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 4, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfllm Niles District Library

Obituaries
Rosemary H. Milburn
1936-1995
enjoyed gardening, knitting

 

Funeral services for Rosemary H. Milburn, 59, of 628 Northfield Drive, Niles, are Monday at 2 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, by the Rev. Lowell Black of the First church of Christ-Christian.

Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Mrs. Milburn died Thursday at 5:40 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., following a brief illness.

She was born Feb. 17, 1936, in Liverpool, England. She had lived in Niles since 1974, coming here from New Jersey.

Mrs. Milburn was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles and was formerly active in Cub Scouts and enjoyed neighborhood clubs, gardening and knitting.

Survivors include a son, Craig Milburn of Marietta, Ga.; her former husband, Kenneth S. Milburn of Niles; and close family members in England.

Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. at Halbritter Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.

 

 


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 4, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Dumond, Emma E.

Emma E. Dumond
July 17, 1925-Nov. 3, 1995


Obituaries

Emma E. Dumond

1925-1995

retired waitress supervisor

 

Funeral services for Emma E. Dumond, 70, of 4955 W. U.S. 12, Buchanan, were today at 10:30 a.m. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home in Niles by Dr. Ron Wakeman of First Presbyterian Church, Niles.

Burial followed at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

Mrs. Dumond died at 10:25 p.m. Friday at Silverbrook Manor in Niles.

She was born July 17, 1925 in Bedford, Ind.

On June 25, 1949, in Niles she married Wm. Robert Dumond, Sr. who survives.

Mrs. Dumond was a retired waitress supervisor at the former Franky's Restaurant in Niles.

In addition to her husband, survivors include one daughter, Sue Wolkins of Galien; one son, Wm. Robert Dumond, Jr. of Algonac; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A brother, Robert Hardwick, died in 1975.

Memorial contributions may be made to Arthritis Foundation.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 6, 1995, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Batey, Gladys I.

Gladys I. Batey
June 18, 1899-Nov. 10, 1995


Obituaries


Gladys I. Batey

1899-1995

retired insurance agent

 

Graveside services for Gladys I. Batey, 96, 1555 Ferndale, Niles are planned for 11 a.m. Monday at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

Burial will follow, with arrangements to be handled by Pifer-Smith Funeral HOme, Niles.

Miss Batey died at 11 :40 a.m. Friday at home of natural causes.

She was born June 18, 1899 in Cass County, and was a longtime area resident.

Miss Batey retired from the John Hancock Insurance Co., in 1964, for whom she worked as an insurance agent.

She is survived by seven nieces and two nephews.

There is no visitation.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 11, 1995, page 2, col. 5-6, microfilm Niles District Library