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.

Swartz, Milton

Milton Swartz
Oct. 23, 1869-May 8, 1951


    Milton Swartz, 1011 Birch street, died Tuesday afternoon at the Berrien Center hospital after an illness of two days.
    Surviving is a son, LaVerne Milton Swartz, of Niles; three stepsons, Alvin Cox, of LaPorte, Ind., and Dewey and Henderson Cox, of Niles.
    Swartz was born in Niles township on Oct., 23, 1869, and had lived all his life here.
    Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home, where services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday by the Rev. L. George Beacock, Methodist pastor. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, May 9, 1951, page 2, col. 7; microfilm Niles District Library)

Rohdy, James A.

James A. Rohdy
Aug. 15, 1952-March 19, 2008

DOWAGIAC - James A.  Rohdy, 55, died Wednesday, March 19, in his home unexpectedly, but of natural causes. Mr.  Rohdy was born on August 15, 1952, in Reed City, Michigan to Glenn C. and Mary A. (McLachlan)  Rohdy.
      James graduated from Roscommon High School with the Class of 1970. He lived in Southwestern Michigan for 35 years, coming from Higgins Lake, Michigan. He was employed by Slatile Roofing and Restoration in South Bend and had previously been employed at Custom Tire in Berrien Springs, Michigan. James was a veteran of the Vietnam era, having served in the United State Army. He was a member of Roofers Union Local #23 in South Bend and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #449 in Buchanan, Michigan. He was an avid bowler and hunter.
      On December 4, 1976, in Niles, he married the former Jackie Hoy, who survives.
Mr.  Rohdy is also survived by his mother, Mary A.  Rohdy of Claire, Michigan; sister, Glenda (Dennis) Carmoney of Claire; brother, Cameron (Hoi)  Rohdy of Bellevue, WA; brother-in-law, Kenneth (Cheryl) Hoy Jr. of Dowagiac; sister-in-law, Cindy (Rick) Anderson of Lakeland, Florida; eight nephews; two nieces and 12 great-nieces and nephews.
      Funeral services for James A.  Rohdy will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2008, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Rev. Emmett H. Kadwell Jr. of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles officiating.
Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, where full military honors will be held following the services at the graveside by American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.'
      Friends may call beginning at noon on Monday at the funeral home.
      Contributions in memory of James A.  Rohdy may be made to Saint Jude Children's Hospital or to Pet Refuge of Mishawaka.

Submitted by family member; publication details unknown

 

McCoy, Harley L.

Harley L. McCoy
May 19, 1892-December 7, 1950


    Harley L. McCoy, 58, Terminal hotel, died suddenly at 5 p.m. yesterday at the Eagles lodge.  He was born May 19, 1892, in Grand Rapids, and moved to Niles 33 years ago.
    McCoy was employed as a car repairman by the New York Central railroad and was a member of the Eagles lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
    Survivors are a sister, Mrs. Clyde Webber, two nephews, and one niece, all of Niles.
    Friends may call at the Kiger funeral home where full military services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday by the American legion.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, December 8, 1950, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Seeley, Lucinda (Haggerty)

Lucinda Seeley
1834-1920


    WIDOW OF SOLDIER DEAD
Mrs. Lucinda Seeley Had Reached the Age of 86 Years

    Mrs. Lucinda Seeley, Pokagon street, widow of Horace Seeley, who was a veteran of the Civil war, died last evening at 5 o'clock at the home of her son, Clayton Seeley, in north Fifth street.  Mrs. Seeley had reached the advanced age of 86 years, and her death was caused frim[sic] the infirmities of old age.
    The deceased was born in Ohio in 1834.  She was married to Horace Seeley in 1853. Of the eight children born of this union, but one, Clayton Seeley, survives the mother.  She is also survived by one brother, Hampton Haggerty of NIles.
    The deceased was a pioneer resident of this section, having come to Michigan in 1848, and enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout the community and was highly respected.
    The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30  o'clock from the son's home.  Burial will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

((Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 8, 1920, page 1 col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

Seely, Clayton H.

Clayton H. Seely
January 16, 1879-April 2, 1952


Clayton H. Seely, 73

    Clayton H. Seely, 73, a retired New York Central yard engeineer, died Wednesday at 3 p.m. at his home,1608 Hickory street, following a year's illness.  Funeral services will be held at the Kiger funeral home Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. T.M. Greenhoe officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Seely was born January 16, 1879, in Kent county, Michigan, and came to Niles from Sand Lake 60 years ago.  Before retirement, he was a yard conductor with the New York Central railroad.
    Surviving is the wife, Ethel N. Seely.
    He was a member of the Presbyterian church and the Switchmans Union of North America.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, April 3, 1952, page 2 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

Haggerty, Hampton

Hampton Haggerty
March 1, 1844-April 11, 1922


Hampton Haggerty, Civil War Veteran, Goes to Meet Many of His Comrades of Company L, 2d Michigan Cavalry, Who Marched With Sherman To the Sea

Civil War Veteran and Retired Pioneer Farmer, Now Sleeping the Dreamless Sleep

. . .illness, borne with heroic fortitude, Hampton Haggerty, 78, passed peacefully away at his cozy home, 298 North Third street, at 3:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
    Thirteen months ago, Mr. Haggerty suffered a stroke of paralysis and had since been confined to his home.  About a month ago he suffered a second stroke, and had since been unable to speak.
    Mr. Haggerty was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on March 1, 1844.  He was a son of Thomas and Nancy Haggerty, native of New Jersey, who resided for some years in Ohio, and in 1848 came to Michigan with their family, driving an ox team through, and located in Niles township, where the mother died at the age of 40 and the father when 65 years old. They were the parents of nine children, four daughters and five sons, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but none of whom is now living.
    Hampton Haggerty was a child of four years when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and one year later was orphaned by his mother's death.  He attended school in Niles township, and grew to manhood sturdy, ambitious and energetic.
    At the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Haggerty, then a youth of 17 years, enlisted in the defense of the Union, and his name was enrolled as a member of Co. L. second Michigan cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war, being the youngest soldier in his regiment.
From the ranks he was promoted to the position of corporal, and in that capacity participated in many of the important engagements in Sherman's march to the sea, proceeding thence to Washington.  In 1865, he received his discharge at Nashville, Tenn., and returning to Michigan resumed the ordinary pursuits of life.
    For about two years, Mr. Haggerty worked on a farm in the emloy of others. In 1867, he married Fannie, daughter of William and Mary Lambert.  Mrs. Haggerty, who has been a faithful helpmate to her husband all these years, was born in England, and in her childhood accompanied her parents to Michigan, in 1846, and has since made her home in this  state.  After his marriage, Mr. Haggerty rented a farm for a few years, after which he purchased the old Ives farm, four miles west of this city, consisting of 100 acres, which he cultivated for three years,  He then sold the property and purchased the H.N. Cameron farm, and later on bought still other farm property, meanwhile conducting a general farming and stock raising business.
    About 11 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Haggerty left the farm and came to this city, to spend the evening of life in peace and contentment.
    In politics, Mr. Hagerty was a Republican, and he had served in the township as a member of the board of education. "Uncle Hamp," as he was more familiarly known, was splendid type of the rugged pioneer--the type that was instrumental in subjugating the forests and causing the countryside to blossom like the rose.  During the greater portion of his life he was blessed with seemingly inexhaustible good health, and was a confirmed optimist.  He loved the hills, the birds, and the steams, and always had a yearning for the old days and the old manners.  He was a kindly man, a loyal friend.  His cheery presence was always welcome wherever he went. When in a reminiscent mood, " Uncle Hamp" used to love to relate thrilling experiences of Cival[sic] war days.  He also frequently recalled the old-time neighborhood spirit, the huskings, quiltings, or apple cuts or raisings, or "bees" of any sort.  The processes of the dairy as his boyhood knew them, were reviewed with zest--the churning treadmill, the lifting of great masses of golden butter from the churn with the ladle, and much more of those Halcyon, haloed days!  And then the ride to town, over miles of corduroy road in the lumber wagon. The spring plowing, the sowing, the haying, the harvesting, even the road making, "Uncle Hamp" lived over again--all seen through the mellowing haze of time.  How remorselessly he killed off with a flintlock musket the bright-eyed chipmunks in the corn in "those days" and trapped and shot henhawks and crows, was told as he recounted his boyhood memories.
    "Uncle Hamp" is survived by the widow and one half-sister, Mrs. Hannah Kinney, of Lawton, and his niece, Mrs. Eugene Myers.
    The funeral services will be conducted at the Methodist church at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, by the pastor, Mr. Lathrop. Interment will be made in Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star-Sun, Wednesday, Apr. 12, 1922, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library.)

Hess, Mary M.

Mary M. Hess
January 13, 1860-June 5, 1939


MRS. MARY HESS, ILL 5 YEARS, DIES
Mother of Niles Teacher Stricken at 79; Rites Wednesday

    Mrs. Mary M. Hess, a native of Canada and widow of Casper Hess, died at 12:30 o'clock this morning in her home, 515 Cherry street.
    She had been in ill health for the last five years, and had been confined to her bed since September. She was 79 years old.
    She leaves one daughter, Miss Florence Hess, an instructor in Niles grade schools; a son, George, Niles; four brothers, Fred Walker, Niles; Henry and Lewis Walker, South Bend, and William Walker, Bourbon, Ind.; a sister, Miss Elizabeth Walker, Niles; also three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
    Another daugther, Mrs. Ann Snoor, died in 1930.
    Mrs. Hess was  born in Smithville, Ontario, Can., Jan. 13, 1860, and came to Niles with her parents when she was six weeks old.  She was educated in the Niles schools and was married to Mr. Hess Oct. 1, 1877.  The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Werheim in St. John's Evangelical church.
    Mrs. Hess was a member of the First Presbyterian church and the Maccabees.
    Services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the Price and Kiger funeral home with the Rev. Guy W. Simon officiating.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
    Friends may call at the funeral home.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Monday, June 5, 1939, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)