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.

Rader, Louise Leach

Mrs. Louise L. Rader
Jan. 13, 1865-Sept. 3, 1953


Mrs. Louise Leach Rader, 88, of 221 North Lincoln avenue, died at 3 p.m. Thursday at Pawating Hospital.  She had been ill several months.

Mrs. Rader was a life-long resident of Niles. She was born here on Jan. 13, 1865. She was married to Eli Leach who died Nov. 19, 1923, and then she married Christian Rader who died Aug. 8, 1946. Several nephews and a niece survive. She was a member of the First EUB Church.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Herbert Meussling will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 4, 1953, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Bunch, Freeman K.

Freeman K. Bunch
Dec. 6, 1880-Sept. 1, 1953


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 2, 1953, page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library

Freeman K. Bunch, 2914 North Fifth street, died Tuesday in Pawating Hospital after three year's illness.

Surviving are his wife, Louise; four daughters, Mrs. Dorothea Zielinski, and Mrs. Martha Graham, of Niles, Mrs. Mildred Morey of South Bend, and Mrs. Adalove Mayhausen, Elkhart, Ind.; one son Harley F. Bunch, Niles; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. George Shearer, of South Whitley, Ind.

Bunch was born on Dec. 6, 1880, in South Whitley, and came to Niles from there about 45 years ago. He was a fireman at the National-Standard Company.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  Burial at Silverbrook Cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 3, 1953, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

SET BUNCH RITES


Funeral services for Freeman K. Bunch, who died Tuesday in Pawating Hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Pifer Funeral Home with the Rev. John G. Carlton, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Shockley, Martha (Fowler)

Martha Shockley
August 27, 1888-Feb. 25, 1911

Niles Daily Sun, Monday, February 27, 1911, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

YOUNG WOMAN DROPS DEAD

Mrs. George Shockley Died Without Warning Saturday Night

 

Mrs. Martha Shockley, age 23 years, the young wife of George Shockley, dropped dead at her home on east Main street Saturday evening about 9:30 o'clock as she [was]preparing to retire for the night.

Mrs. Shockley has been in ill-health since the birth of her daughter, eight weeks ago but has been able to be about the house.

Mrs. Shockley, demise came without warning and was most unexpected.

The physician who was summoned pronounced the cause as heart disease.

Mrs. Shockley was formerly Miss Martha Fowler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fowler who formerly resided south of Niles. Mr. Fowler died a few years ago and his son, a brother of Mrs. Shockley, was drowned in St. Joseph river above the paper mills, shortly before Mr. Fowler's death.

Mrs. Shockley was born in Milton township, Cass county, in August, 1887.

Mrs. Shockley is survived by her husband and infant daughter and by her mother, who resided with her.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence.  Rev. H.C. Trabert of the Baptist church will officiate.

Mr. and Mrs. Shockley expected to move shortly to H.E. Price's farm east of Niles and had their household goods packed in readiness.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 27, 1911, page 4, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

OBITUARY

 

Mrs. Martha Shockley, wife of Geo. Shockley, 1208 east Main street, died Saturday evening at 9:30 o'clock after an illness of seven weeks with heart trouble. She leaves a seven weeks' old baby.

Mrs. Shockley was born in Milton township, Cass county, August 27, 1888. She secured an education in the country schools and came to Niles three years ago with her parents. Two years ago Saturday night her father, Fred Fowler died.  The following June she was married to George Shockley and they took up their residence with Mrs. Shockley's mother.

A husband and mother and child are the only relatives.

The funeral will be held from the house tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.  Rev. Trabert will officiate and burial will be in Silver Brook Cemetery.

 

 




Shockley, Clement

Clement Shockley
March 18, 1845-Oct. 24, 1903


CLEMENT SHOCKLEY

Well Known Pioneer Resident Passes Away

 

Clement Shockley, a well known and respected pioneer resident, passed away late Saturday afternoon, after a lingering illness with locomotor ataxia, aged 61 years. Deceased came to Niles about 40 years ago, and has since resided here.

Fraternally Mr. Shockley was identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which order he carried insurance. He is survived by a wife and two sons--Charles and Walter, both of this place.

The funeral will be held from the house tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. A.T. Ferguson, pastor of the M.E. church, officiating. The burial will take place at Silver Brook.

Sketch of His Life

Clement Shockley was born in Howard Township, Cass county, Mar. 18, 1845. He came to Niles in 1862 and had since resided here. He was married in 1864 to Miss Eliza Galager at Laporte, Ind. Three children were born to them, but Miss Mable died six years ago. Deceased had been in failing health for four years, but he worked up to two years ago. In addition to a wife and two sons, he is survived by a brother and three sisters.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 26, 1903, page 2, col3, microfilm Niles District Library

Shockley, Mabel

Miss Mabel Shockley
January 1, 1868-July 18, 1897


DIED

 

Died at 2 o'clock, Sunday, July 18, 1897--Miss Mabel Shockley, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clem Shockley, who resided on Ninth street. Aged 29 years, six months and 18 days.

For over five years Miss Shockley has suffered with lingering consumption and serious stomach trouble. She was the possessor of a strong ambition to live and this alone is thought to have rallied her when death was so close at hand previous to Sunday, even over a year ago. While she loved life she was not afraid to die for the reward of a pure and exemplary life was in waiting. Highly esteemed and beloved on all sides her death brings sorrow to many. She was ever cheerful, kind and gentle.

She was born January 1, 1868 and has always resided here. She leaves two brothers beside the parents.

The funeral took place this morning at 9:30 o'clock from St. Mary's Catholic church, of which she was a member.  Rev. Fr. Cullinane will officiate. Interment in Silver Brook cemetery.


Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, July 21, 1897, page 5, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


Shockley, Rose (Gitchell)

Rose Shockley
Oct. 29, 1886-July 13, 1987


Rose Shockley, 100, 215 Parkway St., Niles, died at 6:40 a.m. today at Woodfield Manor following an extended illness.

Born Oct. 29, 1886 in Niles, she was a lifetime area resident

On July 16, 1908 in Niles she married Charles H. Shockley who died in 1945.

Surviving is a sister, M. Hilda Gitchell of Niles.

Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth H. Hesselink of Niles officiating. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, July 13, 1987, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Shockley, Ella (Huff)

Mrs. Ella Shockley
March 13, 1875-March 5, 1955


Mrs. Ella Shockley, 79, 0f 1101 Cedar Street, died at 7 a.m. today at the Berrien County Hospital at Berrien Center. She had been ill since Tuesday.

Born March 13, 1875 at Buchanan, she came to Niles 59 years ago. She was a member of the Methodist Church and the Adult Bible Class.

Her husband, Elias Shockley, died in 1924.

Survivors are a daughter, Mrs. Theodore Young of Niles, two grandchildren and a brother, George Huff of Niles.

Friends may call at the Pifer Funeral Home where the Rev. L. George Beacock will conduct services at 2 p.m. Monday. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.


Niles Daily Star, Saturday, March 5, 1955, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library