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.

Bunbury, Thomas Arthur

Thomas Arthur Bunbury
1883-June 19, 1884


Niles Democrat, Saturday, June 21, 1884, page 5 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Thomas Arthur, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Bunbury, died on the 19th last, aged one year and four months.

Bunbury, Thomas A.

Dr. Thomas A. Bunbury
Dec. 9, 1845-Dec. 12, 1910


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, December 13, 1910, page 1, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Dr. Thomas A. Bunbury Has Completed His Task on Earth

 

Dr. Thomas A. Burbury passed away last night at 11 o'clock at the home, 606 Grant street, after a lingering illness, with cancer of the intestines.  Age, 66 years.  He leaves a widow, three daughters and one son--Mrs. Guy Howe of Chicago, the Misses Sadie and Florence, and Edward Bunbury at home. Besides, two sisters--Mrs. Patrick Lyons and Mrs. Miles Blaine of Kansas City, and a brother, Wm. B. Bunbury of this city. The funeral will occur from the house, Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery.

LIFE SKETCH

In Cass County, Mich., near the Berrien county line, the subject of this sketch was born on the ninth of December, 1845. He was of Irish parentage, his father--Edward Bunbury, having been born in the Emerald Isle, while his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Kelley, was born in Quebec, Canada, of Irish parentage. The father first, located at Kalamazoo and later in Niles, embarking in the livery business in 1852, conducting a profitable trade until his death, Feb. 10, 1876.

Thomas. A. Bunbury received his education in the Union school of Niles and the knowledge there gained was afterwards supplemented by a thorough course of study at Notre Dame University.  Upon leaving college he entered his father's employ, his special work being the care of sick horses, not only those belonging to the stables, but also to the people living in Niles and surrounding country.  From necessity he was obliged to begin the study of medicine and the anatomy of the horse, and soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the profession. He commenced in business for himself and soon had a widespread reputation for skill and proficiency.  He was often called to other parts of the state in consultation and in almost every case he met with success.  He continued in business on south Second street until his last illness, dating back a few months.

In 1872 Dr. Bunbury married Miss Anna Machin of Bertrand, her parents, John and Elizabeth (Anslow) Machin, being early settlers of Niles township. Dr. Bunbury was energetic. Always attentive to business, he stuck to his office and night or day would drive many miles through storm and sleet to treat dumb animals, often without the slightest reward from poor people, and neither would he ask it. He was generous and kindhearted, and a man with many staunch friends.

The Dr. was a charter member of the Niles Tent No. 99, Knights of the Modern Maccabees.


Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, December 13, 1910, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

DR. BUNBURY SUCCUMBS

Well Known Veterinary Surgeon Died Last Evening

 

Dr. Thomas A. Bunbury, the well known vetinary[sic] surgeon, passed away last evening about 10 o'clock at his home on Grant street.

Dr. Bunbury had been in ill health for abut a year, having been forced to give up his professional work last January. In the spring he went to Ann Arbor and also to Chicago. On May 11, after undergoing an examination in Chicago his case was pronounced almost hopeless and since that time he had gradually continued to fail.

Dr. Bunbury was born Dec. 9, 1846 in Cass county near the Berrien county line and with the exception of about a year when he lived in St. Joseph had resided in Niles or immediate vicinity all his life.

Dr. Bunbury was educated in the Niles public schools and supplemented this with a course at Notre Dame College. Returning to Niles he became associated in the livery business with his father, Edward Bunbury and it was in this way that he received his early training for his career as a veterinarian and surgeon which he followed for so many years with a success that few attain.

In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Machin of Bertrand a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Machin pioneer residents of this section. Besides the widow, four children survive as follow: Mrs. Guy Howe of Chicago, and Sadie, Florence and Edward Bunbury of Niles, also a brother, W.B. Bunbury of Niles and two sisters, Mrs. P. Lyons and Mrs. Miles Blain of Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Bunbury was a democrat in politics and was twice the choice of his party for the office of city treasurer and was elected both times.

During his residence in St. Joseph where he engaged in the livery business the St. Joseph lodge, No. 28, F.& A.M. was organized and Dr. Bunbury became a charter member but a few years after returning to Niles again he withdrew from that lodge.  He was a charter member of Niles Tent, K.O.T.M.M.

The death of Dr. Bunbury removes a citizen of prominence and one who was deeply concerned in the affairs of the city. He was an unusually well-read man and his knowledge of the early history of this section which he had gleaned both from his reading and personal observation had made him an authority on matters of history. Many sincerely mourn the loss of a friend in the death of Dr. Bunbury whose genial nature and the ever ready sympathy and kindness to those in distress had made him much beloved.

The funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence.


____________________

 

Bunbury, Anna (Machin)


Anna (Machin) Bunbury
Jan. 14, 1852-Feb. 17, 1933


Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 17, 1933, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. ANNIE BUNBURY DIES AT KANKAKEE, ILL.

Widow of Dr. T.A. Bunbury

Passes Away at Home of

Her Daughter

 

Word was received this morning of the death of Mrs. Annie Bunbury, widow of Dr. Thomas A. Bunbury in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Guy Howe in Kankakee, Ill.  Word of her death was received by her son Edward Bunbury and her nephew . .[illegible]

Mrs. Bunbury was for many years a resident of Niles until after the death of her husband after which time she had made her home with her children, who are Mrs. Guy Howe of Kankakee, Ill., Miss Sadie Bunbury, of Purdy Station, Purdy, N.Y., Mrs. Fred Frankenbury of Detroit, and Edward of Niles. Mr. Swain's mother and also Miss Sarah Machin, both deceased, the latter a teacher in Berrien county public school for a number of years, were sisters of Mrs. Bunbury.

Mrs. Bunbury was a life-long communicant of the Episcopal church and during her residence in Niles had been prominently identified with Trinity Episcopal church and had served as president of the Ladies Auxiliary of hat church.

Mrs. Bunbury was a member of Niles Hive, No. 39, of the Maccabees.


Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, February 21, 1933, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

HERE FOR FUNERAL


The funeral services for Mrs. Thomas A. Bunbury on Monday afternoon in Trinity Episcopal church brought a number of former residents of Niles to this city, including her daughters, Mrs. Guy Howe, and Miss Sadie Bunbury of Kankakee, Ill. and Mrs. Fred Frankenberry of Detroit.  Others who were former residents of Niels or connected with pioneer Niles families were Walter Crimp, Mrs. Carl Howe, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Winslow and Miss Hattie Howe of Chicago.  Warren Hawkins, of Kankakee, also was among those who accompanied the funeral party to Niles. Mrs. Frankenberry and her daughter, Anne, went to Kankakee last evening with members of the family to spend a few days. The services were conducted by the Rev. H.L. Nicholson, rector of the church. The pallbearers were Mr. Howe, John Howe, Mr. Crimp, Mr. Frankenberry, Thos. M. Swain and Robert Chambers. Messrs. Swain and Chambers are nephews of Mrs. Bunbury. The committal service was held in Silverbrook cemetery in the family lot. While in the city the funeral party was at the home of Mr. Swain and Mr. Chambers.

*DOB and DOD from Illinois Deaths @FamilySearch.org

Armstrong, Junie B.

Junie B. Armstrong
June 11, 1866-March 10, 1952

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, March 12, 1952, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Jennie B. Armstrong, 84, formerly of Niles, died at 5:30 p.m Tuesday at her home on 502 Allen street, South Bend. She had been ill two weeks.

Mrs. Armstrong was born June 11, 1886,[sic] in Cass county and lived in Niels until 1925 when she moved to South Bend.  She married Eugene J. Armstrong in January, 1883. He died in January, 1905.  She was a member of the First Methodist church in South Bend.

She is survived by a daughter Mrs. Opal G. Lockwood, of South Bend, and a brother Frank L. Olmstead, of Tacoma, Wash.

Friends may call at the Welsheimer funeral home in South Bend where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery in Niles.

 

Note: Name in cemetery record and on gravemarker is "Junie" ; DOB on gravemarker is 1866.

 

Armstrong, Cerintha

Cerintha Armstrong
Abt. 1830-March 30, 1869


Niles Democrat, Saturday, April 10, 1869, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mr. Rollo, City Sexton, submitted his quarterly  report of interments for the quarter ending March 31, 1869, of which the following is a summary:
. . . .
March 30, 1869      Cerintha M. Armstrong, age 39, native of Oneida County, N.Y. at Niles, of Rose Cancer

Armstrong, Francis Weston

Francis Weston Armstrong
Oct. 28, 1918-Jan. 6, 1934

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, January 6, 1934, page 1, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES BOY KILLED BY FALLING TREE

Armstrong Youth Dies at Hospital of Skull Fracture

Evidently Became Confused When Warning Was Shouted by Huffman Brothers; Ran Directly Under Falling Tree

 

Francis Weston Armstrong, 15, Niles junior high school student, died in Pawating hospital at 10 o'clock this morning from injuries received when a tree he was helping to chop down fell on him.

Working with two Huffman brothers, Cleo, 18, and Robert, 15, the youth was felling timber in the Al Stocks' woods, south of Niles. The boys have been working there at times for some weeks.

"We went to the woods about 7 o'clock this morning," Cleo Huffman said. "We were working on a big tree. When it started to fall, I yelled for the fellows to get out of the way. Francis seemed to be confused and ran directly in the path. The top of the . . .[illegible].

"He was unconscious and did say anything. My brother and I had no trouble getting him out from under the branches. We put him in the car and drove him home.  His parents said to take him on to the hospital, which we did."

The lad was received at the hospital at 9:40 o'clock and died a few minutes later without gaining consciousness. He sustained a fractured skull, a crushed chest, and a broken right arm.

Francis was the son of Mrs.and Mrs. Francis M. Armstrong, 1517 Michigan street. He was born October 28, 1918. The parents and three sisters survive. The sisters are: Mrs. Marian Ravish, Buchanan; Mrs. Mildred Dunek and Mrs. Margery Shepherd, both of Niles.  Two grandmothers are living: Mrs. Mary Armstrong, South Bend, and Mrs. Irene Critzer, Baroda.

Cleo and Robert, the boys who were working with young Armstrong, are sons of Mr.and Mrs. Harry Huffman, 633 South Lincoln avenue. Mr. Huffman and John Dunek, a brother-in-law of the deceased, hold a contract to clear the woods where the boys were busy. The boys have been helping them on school vacations, but the men were engaged in other work today and did not go to the woods.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Rutherford funeral home.

 

 

 

Armstrong, Cecilia Hazel

Cecilia Hazel Armstrong
Sept. 13, 1900-Feb. 14, 1960


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 15, 1960, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Howard J. (Cecilia Hazel) Armstrong, 59, 2634 S. 13th St., well known Niels area community resident, died at 8:40 p.m. Sunday in Pawating Hospital where she had been a patient for four days. She had been ill for three weeks.

Mrs. Armstrong was born Sept. 13, 1900, in Chicago and came here 35 years ago from Chicago.  Her husband preceded her in death in 1938.

In 1958, Mrs. Armstrong was presented the distinguished service award for 35 years service to the Parent-Teachers Assn.She was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the church, the Bertrand Missionary Society and was . . .[illegible]. . .and, at the time of her death was serving as neighborhood chairman of the Girl Scouts of the Brandywine area.

Surviving are: nine children, Mrs. Ernest Ringer, Richard Armstrong, Mrs. Bruce Benton and Miss Ellen Armstrong, all Niles,  Mrs. George Stokes, Lawton, Okla., Warren and John Armstrong, both Alberquerque, N.M., Mrs. Fred Brill, Arlington, Tex., and Mrs. Crawford Garrett, Benton, Ark.; 13 grandchildren, and a brother, Edward Lowery, Santa Monica, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday in St. Mark Church with the pastor, the Rev. Francis E. Timmons, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. The Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home here where friends may call.