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.

Stewart, William 1885-1933

William Stewart
July 2, 1885-April 29, 1933

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Saturday, April 29, 1933, page 1, col. 5, and page 3, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

WM. STEWART DIES WITH BROKEN JAW; CORONER'S PROBE ON
Pneumonia Death Cause, Says Doctor; Inquest Set Monday Morning

An investigation was under way today in the death of William “Bill” Stewart, former member of the Niles fire department, ex-boxer and for years a character in the city's community life.

Stewart died in Pawating hospital at 6:30 o'clock this morning. He was taken to the hospital at 4 o'clock last Sunday afternoon with a broken jaw following a fist fight with Charles Pinkerton, 32, police said.

Pneumonia was given as the official cause of death by Dr. R.B. Henderson, who attended Stewart.

CORONER APPEARS

Coroner Irving Talbott, of Benton Harbor, assisted by Policeman Carl Voelkers, started the investigation shortly after the body was taken from Pawating hospital to the Price & Kiger undertaking rooms.

An inquest is scheduled for 10 o'clock Monday morning at the undertaking rooms. A coroner's jury was impanneled[sic] this morning and was sworn in after viewing the body. The jury was ordered to report at the funeral home Monday morning. Members of the jury are Carl Brunk, Marshall Grathwohl, Jacob Bachman, William Burge, H.E. Price and Alderman Sheridan Cook.

Henderson was virtually . . . illegible. . summoned this morning from the operating room at the hospital, where he had just completed a major operation, the surgeon told Coroner Talbott and Officer Voelkers pneumonia alone was the cause of Stewart's death. “In his condition, pneumonia would have developed anyway,” Dr, Henderson expressed his opinion. Stewart was said to have been highly intoxicated at the time of the fight and was still in that condition when taken to the hospital.

The fight took place in the yard at Pinkerton's home, 414 ½ N. Third street, following a mushroom hunt. In the party were Stewart, Pinkerton and Thomas Larson, 214 Cass street. The trip was made in Carson's auto mobile. The fight, according to Pinkerton was started by Stewart after the party reached his home because Stewart was angered over protests made by Pinkerton against interference with Larson's driving.

“Stewart got out of the car and

(Continued on Page Three) shook his fist in my face, “ said Pinkerton, “asking me, what about this?”

“I'm out of the car now. There are the keys. Do as you please.”

“I want to kno[sic] about this, Stewart said and drew back his left fist. I was afraid of him, because he was known to be a tough customer when drinking. As he drew back his fist I struck him on the chin. He fell down but got up and came at me again. I struck again, He did not come back that time. Larson took him to the hospital, as he complained about his teeth.”

Stewart had lived apart from his family for several years. The widow, Mrs. Ida Stewart, resides in the city. A son, Carlisle, 16, and a married daughter, Opal, also survive.

Chief of Police George Francis today was trying to contact relatives at Rensselaer[sic], Ind., Stewart's former home.

Police records show Stewart had been arrested numerous times during the last several years, usually intoxication and disorderly charges, and that he had several times been sentenced to terms in the county jail.

 

Maunder, Selina (LaGallez) 1864-1933

Selina Maunder
Feb. 13, 1864-April 4, 1933

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, April 4, 1933, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. SELINA MAUNDER DIES IN 87TH YEAR
Passes Away Early This Afternoon at Home on Regent Street

Mrs. Selina Maunder, 87, died at 1:10 this afternoon in her home at 1364 Regent street. She was stricken with illness last Sunday and had since been in serious condition.

Mrs. Maudner[sic] was a pioneer resident of Niles. She is survived by two sons, William and John Maunder of Niles and by one daughter, Mrs. George Hendershot also of Niles. Mrs. Ernest Liebertrau of Niles is a granddaughter of the deceased.

The funeral announcement will be made tomorrow.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, April 5, 1933, page 4, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MRS. MAUNDER THURSDAY
The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson to Conduct Rites at Price Funeral Home.

Mrs. Selina Maunder who died in her home, 1364 Regent street, on Tuesday afternoon after a brief illness was born at Guernsey, England, one of the channel islands and lived there until after her marriage theer[sic] to William Maunder. Her maiden name was Selina La Gallez. Upon leaving England Mr. and Mrs. Maunder and their daughter came to the United States and for a time lived in Chicago, later in Niles and from here went to Elkhart.

When Mr. Maunder first lived in Niles the family lived in St. Joseph avenue but he erected the home at Fourteenth and Regent streets. He was engaged here and in Elkhart in the business of a carriage decorator. After his death in Elkhart Mrs. Maunder and her children came to Niles to reside in the house he had built and which has since been the family home. Mrs. Maunder was born on Feb. 13, 1846.

Surviving Mrs. Maunder are two sons, John and William Maunder and one daughter, Mrs. George Hendershot, all of Niles, the sons living in the family home and Mrs. Hendershot in the house on the property adjoining. Besides the sons and daughters, Mrs. Maunder is survived by two grandchildren, Mrs. Ernest J. Liebertrau and Virginia Hendershot, of Niles and by two great grandchildren, Billy and Dickey Liebertrau.

The funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Price and Kiger Funeral Home. The Rev. H.L. Nicholson, rector of Trinity Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Maunder was a member, will officiate. Burial will be made the family lot in Silverbrook cemetery.

Gallagher, James J. 1862-1933

James J. Gallagher
Dec. 15, 1862-May 1, 1933

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, May 1, 1933, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

JAMES A. GALLAGHER DIES AFTER ILLNESS
Former Chicago Banker in Ill Health During Past Year

James A. Gallagher, 70, a retired banker of Chicago who had lived in Niles since he retired five years ago, died this morning at 4 o'clock in his home, 1442 Regent street. He had been ill for more than a year.

The funeral plans were not completed today but it is probable that the services will be held in the home at 2:30 on Thursday afternoon. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Mr. Gallagher was born in Boston on December 15, 1862. He had spent most of his life in the banking business in Chicago. Surviving Mr. Gallagher is a widow, Mrs. Eva Gallagher, two daughters, Mrs. C. Hubler of Chicago, and Mrs. Bert Daley, of Niles, two sons, Clarence, at home and James of Dowagiac, and three brothers, Thomas, Owen and Peter Gallagher of Chicago.

Mr. Gallagher had been in the banking business in Chicago for nearly 30 years before his retirement, and always in the same bank although it was operated under different names. When he entered the service of the bank it was the Illinois Trust and Savings bank. It is now the Continenital[sic] National and Savings bank and covers a block in the “loop” district. He had served the bank as clerk, cashier and in other capacities in different departments of its business.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, May 5, 1933, page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL JAMES J. GALLAGHER

Funeral services for James J. Gallagher who died Monday morning will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 in his home, 1443 Regent street. Henry Hill, of the First Church of Christ Scientist, will read the service. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Note: Second obit correctly states name as James J. consistent with cemetery record, gravestone, and Michigan DC.

 

 

Starkweather, Elizabeth 1822-1910

Elizabeth Starkweather
May 22, 1822-Oct. 8, 1910

Niles Daily Sun (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, October 10, 1910, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. H. STARKWEATHER
Pioneer Resident of This Section Died at Advanced Age

Mrs. Henry Starkweather, a pioneer and highly respected resident of this section passed away Saturday evening at seven o'clock at the home of her son, Frank Starkweather, three miles north of Niles, aged 88 years.

The funeral was held this afternoon from the residence, Rev. W.R. Yonker officiating. Burial took place at Silver Brook cemetery.

The demise of this beloved lady has caused sorrow to the wide circle of friends which she had made for herself by the beautiful attributes of her character and her consistent Christian life.

Geishirt, Donald Christian 1910-1910

Donald Christian Geishirt
Jan. 14, 1933-April 11, 1933

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, April 11, 1933, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief: DEATH BABY GEISHIRT

Donald Christian Geishirt, three months, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Geishirt, 822 ½ Emmons street, died this morning at 2:30 in Pawating hospital where he was taken yesterday for treatment. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Troost and Augustine chapel. The Rev. M.R. Everett will officiate. Burial will be made in Silverbrook cemetery.

Goldfuss, Robert 1910-1910

Robert Goldfuss
April 1, 1910-Sept. 29, 1910

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Thursday, September 29, 1910, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Robert Goldfuss, seven month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Goldfuss of West Niles, died this morning at 4 o'clock of whooping cough and broncho pneumonia. The funeral will occur at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. Yonker officiating. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, October 1, 1910, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

The funeral services of the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. John Goldfuss, occurred this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Howe officiated. Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.

 

Young, Rose Ellen (Faringhy) 1872-1933

Rose Ellen Young
Aug. 18, 1872-April 4, 1933

Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, April 4, 1933, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ROY YOUNG DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Passes Away Shortly After Noon Today at Cedar Street Home

Mrs. Rose Ellen Young, wife of Roy Young, 517 Cedar street, died in their home this afternoon at 12:50 after having been ill for three and one-half years. The immediate cause of death was a heart attack with which she was stricken a few minutes before her death.

Mrs. Young's maiden name was Rose Ellen Faringhy. She was a daughter of L.O. Faringhy an officer of the regular army at the time of her birth and she was born in the Fort Riley administration building in Fort Riley, Kans., her father having been stationed there. She was married to Mr. Young in Junction City, Kans., and went from there to Lincoln, Neb., where they made their home for 20 years or until Mr. Young came to Niles with the Shinn Manufacturing company, or 16 years ago. Mrs. Young was identified wit the church and social life in Niles until her health failed. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal church, of St. Agnes guild, of the Niles Musical club and of the Social club.

Surviving Mrs. Young is her husband, one son, Clay Young, of San Antonio, Texas, one sister, Mrs. Mabel Howells of Portland, Ore., and one brother, Major William H. Faringhy of Monterey, Calif. The latter is in the regular United States army.

The funeral plans are not completed pending word from their son.