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.

Marrs, George

George Marrs
17 February 1878--March 27, 1879


    George, aged 13 months and 10 days, son of Jas. J. Mars, died of croup on Thursday morning last.

(Source: Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, April 2, 1879, page 5 col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, Mrs. John (Julia Webber)

Julia (Webber) Marrs
March 16, 1851-June 7, 1907


DEATH OF MRS. JULIA MARRS.
Well Known Niles Lady Passed Away This Morning.

    Mrs. Julia Marrs of West Niles, who recently suffered a stroke of paralysis, died at 9 o'clock this morning, aged 56 years.  The deceased has resided in Niles since childhood and enjoyed the esteem and respect of a wide circle of acquaintances.  She was identified with the Woodman Circle and the Loyal Americana.
    The deceased is survived by a mother, Mrs. John Webber; two daughters, Mrs. Fred Marshall and Mrs. Wm. Snook, four brothers, William, Emmett, John and Frank, the latter of Canada, and one sister, Clara Marrs.
    The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at an hour as yet to be decided upon. The remains will be interred at Silver Brook cemetery.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Friday, June 7, 1907, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, John Rayborn

John Rayborn Marrs
April 14, 1842-October 23, 1901


Death of John Marrs

    John Marrs of this city died at Kalamazoo this morning.  The remains will be brought here this evening for interment.  Funeral will occur Sunday from the house.  Burial in Silver Brook cemetery. Last June Mr. Marrs suffered a paralytic stroke. He was put under the care of a doctor at Sturgis and recovered so as to be able to visit his daughter at Kalamazoo.  Soon after his arrival there he was taken ill and attacked with a second stroke last Tuesday, from which he never recovered. Deased leaves a wife, two daughters, Mrs. L. Marshal of Sturgis, and Mrs. Snook of Kalamazoo, and a brother James, of Bridgeman.  Mr. Marrs was insured in the W.O.W. lodge for $3,000.  (Source: Niles Daily Star, Thursday, October 24, 1901, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Marrs, James J.

James J. Marrs
Died  January 31, 1892


    James J. Marrs died yesterday at 10 at the home of his son-in-law, Geo S. Power, on Lincoln avenue, of the grip and old age, after an illness of five days.  He leaves three daughters and two sons, Mrs. G.S. Power, Olie[sic] Marrs, city; Mrs. Anna Crawford, Berrien Springs, Eddie Marrs, city; and Archibald Marrs, living in Indiana. The deceased was 69 years old.  Funeral services tomorrow at 10 o'clock from the residence.  Mr. Marrs has been employed for the past four years by William Stone as shoemaker, and has a large circle of acquaintances who will regret to learn of his death. (Source: Niles Daily Sun, Monday, February 1, 1892, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library)

ALSO:
JAMES J. MARRS
    Associated with Wm. Stone, the shoe maker, for the past four years, died at his home in West Niles, Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, with the grip.  He was taken ill at Mr. Stone's shoe shop one week ago today.. His age was 69 years. He leaves three daughters and two sons. Funeral tomorrow morning at 10 from residence. The deceased was a cousin of Thomas and Parker Mars, well known in this county.  Years ago he and Henry Camp and Geo. Alward were old associates, the two former dying previous, and all will be buried side by side. The wife of Mr. Mars died about a year ago. (Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 1, 1892, page 3, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library)

Ladonski, Lillian F.

Lillian F. Ladonski
Nov. 13, 1918-July 30, 1946


Dayton Resident Dies Tuesday in Home of Sister

    Mrs. Lillian F. Ladonski, 27, of Dayton, died Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. in the home of her sister, Mrs. Quinton Crocker, 210 1/2 North Front street.  She had been seriously ill for one week.
    She was a member of the Rebekah lodge in Dayton.
    Survivors include: her husband, Peter Ladonski, Dayton; her mother, Mrs. Lillian Townsend, Dayton; two daughers, Lillian and Christina, at home; three sisters, Mrs. Crocker, and Mrs. Arden Brown and Mrs. William Alford, both of Dayton; and one brother, Charles Schau, Dayton.

Born in Indiana

    She was born in Michigan City, Ind. Nov. 13, 1918, and came to Niles approximately a week ago to live with Mrs. Crocker.
    Services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. from the Pifer funeral home. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery, and friends may call at the funeral home until time of the services.

(Source:  Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, July 31, 1946, page 2, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library)

Howard, Florence

Florence Howard
June 12, 1849-February 25, 1915


MRS. THOMAS HOWARD CLAIMED BY DEATH
Had Resided in Niles 34 Years and Was Highly Esteemed

    Mrs. Florence E. Howard, wife of Thomas Howard, passed away abut 8:30 o'clock this morning at their home, 516 Broadway.  Mrs. Howard has been in ill health from Bright's disease for about two years, but her death was quite unexpected inasmuch as she appeared to be about as well as usual for several days and earlier in the week was about  the house.
    Mrs. Howard was born in Ann Arbor township June 12, 1849. At the age of 16 years she was united in marriage to Mr. Howard at Ann Arbor.  Eight children were born to them and they all survive their mother.  About 34 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Howard moved to Niles and have since resided here.  She has made many friends in Niles by her estimable qualities and her demise is sincerely mourned.
    Besides her husband the following children survive her: Bert, Clarence, Percy and Thomas Weston Howard, Mrs. George Claypool, Mrs. C.L. Harrison, Miss Florence and Mrs. Fred Gibson.  Mrs. Claypool is in the city from Berrien Springs, Mrs. Gibson and Miss Florence Howard are expected this evening from Chicago and Thomas is expected from Grand Rapids tomorrow.  Bert and Clarence will be unable to attend the funeral.
    Mrs. Howard was devoted to her home and her husband and children mourn the loss of a splendid wife and mother.
    The funeral arrangements have not been completed pending the arrival of the son and daughters of the deceased.


(Source:  Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, February 25, 1915, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Warner, Theodore, Jr.

Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr.
March 15, 1923-March 25, 1945


News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.), Saturday, Oct. 13, 1945, page 3

Missing Niles Pilot Given Up As Lost

 

NILES, Oct. 15--Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr., of Niles, the pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber, who was reported March 25 as missing in action, is now officially listed as dead, according to word received by his wife and parents.

In service since 1943, Lt. Warner received his commission at Blackland Air Field, Waco, Tex.  He was born in Mishawaka, Ind., March 15, 1923, and moved to Niles with his parents about six years ago.  He was graduated from Niles high school.

He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Warner, Sr.; his wife, Betty, and son, Stephen, of Mishawaka; and a brother, Robert, recently discharged from service.


Niles Daily Star, Monday, May 9, 1949, page 2 col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

The remains of First Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Warner, 1623 Ferry street, will be returned from Europe aboard the army transport Haiti Victory for reburial in Niles, the army announced today.

Lt. Warner was killed while serving with the air force in [illegible] a mission over Germany.  He is survived by his parents and a brother Robert E., of Barron Lake, his widow, now remarried, Mrs. Stanley Goss, of Mishawaka; a son, Stephen; and grandparents in Mishawaka.

He graduated from Niles high school and was employed by the Simplicity pattern company here when he entered the service.  He played in the high school band and in the Simplicity band.


Niles Daily Star, Thursday, May 19, 1949, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library

Notice has been received that the body of Lt. Theodore Warner, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Warner, Sr., 1623 Ferry street will arrive in Niles at 4:55 p.m. Monday.

A military service will be conducted by the American Legion post by the Rev. C.K. Graham, pastor of the First Baptist church, at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer feneral[sic] home, where friends may call Monday evening.

Lt. Warner, who was killed over Germany on March 25, 1945, while flying a mission as pilot of a B-24, was stationed with the eighth air force in England. He was the holder of the air medal, purple heart and several other air corps awards.

Born March 15, 1923, Lt. Warner moved to Niles from Mishawaka, Ind., with her parents in 1939, and granduated in 1942. He had been employed the Simplicity Pattern company, and was a member of both the high school and Simplicity bands.

After enlisting he was called by the air corps in January, 1943, and left for over-seas duty in November of 1944. He was a member of the First Baptist church.

Surviving besides his parents are his brother, Robert, of Barron lake, his four-year-old son, Stephen, his widow, the former Betty Hardesty, of Mishawaka, and now Mrs. Stanley Goss, of Mishawaka, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sheaks, of Walkerton, Ind.