B Surname Obits
Cass County, Michigan

Thank you for the following obituaries and death records that were donated to this site. If you have obituaries that you would like to add here or to the various cemeteries on line, please write us at: cassmichigangen@yahoo.com

Mrs. Arthur Bailey - Died in Boise, Idaho --------------------------- Former Cassopolis Lady Passed Away Last Wednesday --------------------------- Mrs. Fanchion Stockdale Bailey, wife of Arthur Bailey, died in a hospital in Boise, Idaho, on July 5, 1923 at the age of fifty-two. Her death resulted from a complication of diseases from which she had been ill for six weeks. Funeral services were held at Boise and interment was made in Morris Hill cemetery in that city. Fanchion was a daughter of the late Anthony N. Stockdale and his wife and much of her life had been spent in Cass County. The family lived for a number of years in Jefferson Township and then moved to Cassopolis, where she attended school, graduating with the class of 1889. She was here married to Arthur F. Bailey in Cassopolis, who was at that time the postmaster of Cassopolis and to them were born three children, who, with the husband, survive and cherish tender memories of a splendid Christian wife and mother. The children are Agnes Bailey Waterman of Boise, Harold S. Bailey of Grand View, Idaho and Rollo Bailey residing at home. From Cassopolis the family moved to Marcellus, where for several years, Arthur Bailey conducted the Marcellus News. Later they moved to Idaho for the benefit of his health. Mrs. Bailey will be well remembered by Cassopolis people, among whom she had many friends. She was an active worker in the Baptist churches of Cassopolis and Marcellus, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Boise at the time of her death. taken from the Cassopolis Vigilante newspaper on July 5, 1923 - contributed by: Lynne Wilson

Baldwin, Carrie Virginia   THE BATTLE CREEK ENQUIRER & NEWS
Wednesday, October 23, 1957    Mrs. Dennis M. Baldwin:   Mrs. Carrie Virginia Baldwin, 68, who had lived 26 years on the Union City road, north of Stanley Corners in Newton Township, died at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday in a local hospital, where she had been a patient for five weeks.  Mrs. Baldwin was born in Silvercreek, Cass County, May 2, 1889, the daughter of John and Helen (Vander-hoof) Woods.  She was married at Decatur in 1909 to Dennis M. Baldwin who died in August, 1947.  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Duane (Myrtle) Wilbur and Mrs Earl (Lodema) Hunter and a son, Ford R. Baldwin, all of Newton Township; four stepsons, Jesse Baldwin of Hanover; Roy J. Baldwin, 12529 E. Michigan Ave.; Floyd Baldwin of Marshall and Selah Baldwin of Burlington; two stepdaughters, Mrs Kit Kalbetzer of Decatur and Mrs. Mabel Smith, Ceresco; a brother, Clarence Woods of Kalamazoo; 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  Mrs. Baldwin was a member of the Maccabees.
Submitted by Sharon Cornell

Ball, Davis   Dowagiac Daily News, July 15, 1916, p. 1, 8:
"David Ball, Veteran of Mexican War and Cass Pioneer Died Yesterday Davis Ball passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Dine in Hamilton township yesterday afternoon at about three o'clock, aged past 92 years and by his passing one of the few surviving heroes of the Mexican war has gone to his reward.
   Davis Ball was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ball, pioneer settlers in Volinia township, their farm being located in the northwest corner of the township and until a few years ago still remaining in the possession of the son, Davis. When a boy Davis went back to his old home in Ohio and there at the age of 20 years he enlisted as a private to serve in the war with Mexico...
   He followed the fortunes of his regiment through all the stirring and dangerous battles of that period, marching with his regiment to the walls o f Mexico City and staying all through the war until the Mexican general, Santa Ana, capitulated and acknowledged defeat. Those were times of peril to the soldiers of the United States, and times of hardship as well. They were in a strange country, cut off completely from help if overwhelmed by numbers, and poorly provisioned. Santa Ana was an inveterate foe of the Americans, and his orders were to spare the lives of none.
   Mr. Ball's life after his return from the war was a quiet one. he seldom alluded to his services as a soldier. He was a good citizen and a good man. He was a good husband and a good father, and his declining years were passed free from care, thanks to the affection of his children. His funeral well be held at Wayne chapel Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, with burial in the Crane Cemetery."

Bartlett, Harry - June 20, 1832 - Jan 3, 1907. Born Genesee Co., NY and died Marcellus, Cass Co., MI - Burial - Bly Cemetery
Military Tombstone - Civil War - Michigan - 1st Reg. Engrs & Mechanics Company F
Son of Aseph Bartlett & Elizabeth Kinsman
Spouse; Louisa (Fletcher) Bartlett 1833 - 1913 - daughter of Thomas and Barbara (Ulrey) Fletcher
Children;
Catherine Francena Bartlett Bradford 1852 - 1930
Addie A Smith 1857 - 1946
North Bartlett 1859 -
Arthur T. Bartlett 1862 - 1929
Glenn Bartlett 1867 - 1966

Beadle, Valentine - 1831 to 1907 -   Valentine BEADLE, son of Misheal and Ruth BEADLE, was born in Flowerfield Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan, April 10, 1831 and passed away at his home in Fabius Township, March 16, 1907, after an illness of several months, at the age of 75 years, 11 months, and 6 days. He was the youngest of nine children, and the last survivor of the family.

Berry, Martia Davis - (Mrs. John Berry) Born January 22, 1844 died circa 1894 burial in Prairie Grove Cemetery - not shown on listing. contributed by: Pam Swiler at pkswiler@voyager.net
     
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Block, Sophia Grace -   Dowagaic Daily News, 20 Dec 1977 Sophia Grace Block, 84, formerly of 213 Haines St, died Monday at 3:45 am in the Cass County Medical Facility. She was born in Chicago on July 30, 1893. She is survived by one daugher Mrs. Anna Overling of Chicago. (Anna Overling was Sophia's sister not daughter) She was a member of the Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11am in the Holy Materninty of Mary Church. The Rosary will be said at 7:30pm tonight at the Groner Funeral Home. Friends may call after 4pm today. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Block obituaries contirbuted by: Joann Ramseyer

Block, Walter C.   Dowagiac Daily News, 17 Dec 1957 Walter C. Block, 77, died this morning in his home at 213 Haines Street. He was born Feb,. 11, 1880 in Aurora, IN the son of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Block. He is survived by his widow, Grace, and a brother, William, Cincinnati, OH. A son preceded him in death four years ago. Funeral services will be Thursday afternoon at two o'clock with Eber Chase, reader for the First Church of Christ, Scientist, officiating. Burial will be in Riverside. Freinds may call after seven o'clock tonight in the funeral home.

Bourne, Charles H - died 24 March 1881 of Typhoid Fever at Newberg twp residence.  Son of Thomas Bourne and 2nd wife Nancy. Charles was 13 years 4 months and 14 days. Location of burial not known as of 6/3/2014.

Lucius Bowerman (brother of Walter Bowerman), Levi Grant, Rebecca Fox
Cassopolis Vigilant
Cassopolis, Michigan, October 27, 1904 page 5 [Local Vigilant section]
  Three of the inmates of the county house have died within the last three days. Lucius Bowerman, an insane inmate from Volinia township, died Monday morning. Levi Grant, a Newberg township charge, who has been a helpless paralytic for two years, died the same afternoon. Rebecca Fox, also from Volinia, died Tuesday afternoon. These inmates have all been at the County house for some time.
Submitted by Sonia Yako

  He was one of St. Joseph County's pioneers, having been the first white child born in that county. His parents, in company with two other families, came to Michigan from Seneca County, Ohio in 1827 and settled on the site of the city of Three Rivers. Thus he has witnessed the transformation of the country from a wilderness to a thriving populous community.
  On the 11th day of October, 1860, he was united in marriage to Rebecca SHEPHERDSON who has proved a faithful and loving helpmate for the more than 46 years of wedded life. To this union were born five children, three sons, and two daughters, all of whom are living to mourn with her the loss of a kind and loving husband and father. He also leaves seven grandchildren. After his marriage he settled on the farm where he last resided and never moved out of sight of the place where he established his first home. His principles were of the highest; he was tender hearted and generous, a loyal friend and a good neighbor. The funeral was held at the home; Rev. H. A. Decker conducting the services. The singing was furnished by a choir from among the neighbors. Interment was at Corey Lake Cemetery.

Walter Bowerman
Cassopolis Vigilant   Cassopolis, Michigan, November 11, 1897 page 1
Found Dead on the Track   The body of Walter Bowerman, aged about 40 years, and a resident of Newberg township, was found dead beside the Grand Trunk railway track one-half mile west of Wakelee, on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 9. The body was seen by the trainmen of the passenger that arrives here at 10:05 a.m., and upon their reporting it sections men were sent to look for it. Mr. Bowerman had been up north for the past four or five weeks and it is supposed that he attempted to jump from the early morning express when it neared his home, and was killed by the fall. Deceased leaves a family in poor circumstances.   Submitted by Sonia Yako

Bowers - Cassie Rupp Bowers - 1831-1922
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Bowling, Mr. Frank  -   Obituary; Cassopolis Vigilent, May 5, 1892: - On Tuesday morning last week, Mr. Frank Bowling, an old and respected citizen of this city, died very suddenly of heart failure. He had not been well for a few days but had kept about his work. On Tuesday morning he started with his team for a load of stone from "over the swamp". On the way he met and talked with Mr. Swisher, at which time he appeared to be as well as usual. In a few moments after this , Mr. Martin McCluckey saw his team running away and stopped them. Seeing a man laying on the ground by the roadside, he went to him and found Mr. Bowling, who gasped two or three times, and died. The verdict of Coroner Michael and Dr. Herkimer was that he died of heart disease, to which he was subject and for which he was under Dr. H's care. Mr. Bowling was 58 years old. He was buried from the M.E. church Saturday afternoon, Rev. Tallman of Pakagon officiating. Note: Tombstone in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac
Contributed by: John C. Monk at scabbardfish@sbcglobal.net

Bowling, George E.   -  Obituary, Cassopolis Vigilant, March 10, 1892: George Bowling and wife returned from Denver, where they had gone for his health, Wednesday noon, and about midnight he died. Rev Tallman delivered an excellent sermon Sunday at the M.E. church and the remains were interred in the Riverside cemetery. Mr. Bowling was about 31 years old and for the past few years was conductor on a dining car on the C.B. & Q. - Contributed by: John C. Monk at scabbardfish@sbcglobal.net

CLAUDE M. BOWMAN
February 21, 1976
BOWMAN, TRATTLES, GARD, WHITSEL, SMITH
Claude M. BOWMAN, age 84, of Route 1, Jones, died Saturday, February 21 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Millers Mill Road, Constantine.
    Mr. BOWMAN was born August 9, 1891 in Nappanee, Indiana, a son of William and Melinda (WHITSEL) BOWMAN. He came to Porter Township in 1912. He was married to Lois TRATTLES on May 11, 1915. Mr. BOWMAN was employed as a farmer. He was a member of the Porter Baptist Church, the Farm Bureau and a life member of Siloam Lodge F&AM of Constantine. He was preceded in death by his son, Craig and one sister, Edna SMITH.
   Survivors include his wife Lois; two granddaughters, Kathleen and Susan BOWMAN of Constantine; a brother, Max H. of Constantine; one sister, Mable GARD of Goshen and several nieces and nephews. Masonic services were conducted Monday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Geisler Funeral Home by Siloam Lodge No. 35 of Constantine. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 24, at 2 p.m. at the Geisler Funeral Home, with the Rev. Marvin Buchholtz of the Porter Baptist Church officiating.
  Burial took place at Shavehead Cemetery.
  Volunteer Transcriber, Carole Lynn (Mohney) Carr
Transcribed from an original newspaper clipping from the 'Sturgis Daily Journal', which serves the St. Joseph Co., Michigan area.
Copy provided by Sturgis Public Library.

LOIS J. BOWMAN   March 11, 1977   BOWMAN, STANARD, TRATTLES, CLARK, VANDERVOORT, REINOEHL
Jones; Mrs. Lois J. BOWMAN, 83, Rt. 1, Jones, died at 5 p.m. Thursday, in Three Rivers Hospital. She had been hospitalized four days in failing health several years.
   She was born in Porter Township, Cass County, Mich. Oct. 8, 1893, a daughter of Edward and Sarah (STANARD) TRATTLES. Mrs. BOWMAN had lived in Porter Township all her life. She was married May 11, 1915, to Claude M. BOWMAN, in Porter Township. He died Feb. 21, 1976. Mrs. BOWMAN was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution Chapter in Cassopolis.
  Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jack CLARK, Constantine; two granddaughters, Kathleen BOWMAN, East Lansing and Susan BOWMAN, Constantine; two nephews, Harold TRATTLES, Sturgis, and Buddy VANDERVOORT, Marcellus; and a niece, Mrs. Howard (Dorthea) REINOEHL, White Pigeon. A son, Craig, died in 1958.
  Friends may call at the Geisler Funeral Home in Constantine, where the services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Marvin Buchholz, of Porter Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will take place in Shavehead Cemetery.
  LOIS JANETTE⁷ TRATTLES (EDWARD C.⁶, WILLIAM⁵, JANE⁴ HEBRON, WILLIAM³, GEORGE², UNKNOWN¹) was born 08 October 1893 in Porter Township, Cass County, Michigan, and died March 1977 in Michigan. She married CLAUDE MELVIN BOWMAN 11 May 1915 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan. He was born 09 August 1891 in Nappanee, Indiana, and died 21 February 1976.
    Volunteer Transcriber, Carole Lynn (Mohney) Carr
Transcribed from an original newspaper clipping from the 'Sturgis Daily Journal', which serves the St. Joseph Co., Michigan area.
Copy provided by Sturgis Public Library.

BRESNHAN - MICHAEL BRESNHAN DIES AT AGE OF 58 - Dowagiac Daily News May 19, 1906 - MICHAEL BRESNHAN DIES AT AGE OF 58 Was born County of Kerry Ireland Came to America and to Michigan at age 15 Michael Bresnehan died Thursday evening between 6 and 7 O'clock at his home on East Division street after an illness Which has lasted all the past winter. For a number of years he had been ailing. The deceased was 58 years of age, and was born in the County of Kerry, Ireland. At the age of 15 he came to America with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Bresnehan, and settled in Silver Creek. With exception of a few years spent in Chicago, this vicinity was his home since. He leaves a wife and six children. Four brothers and one sister survive his as follows: Thomas, Daniel, and Dennis, of Silver creek; Tim, of Dowagiac, and Mrs. Thomas Horan, of Chicago. The funeral will occur at 9 o'clock Saturday morning at the Catholic church in this city, Fr. Wall officiating. Burial at Silver Creek cemetery. Names are spelled as they were in the newspaper. Contributed by: JEAN BROSNAN

Brosnan, Mrs. Jo Anne  December 27, 1943 St. Joseph Herald Press

Mrs. Jo Anne Brosnan, 93, pioneer of Silver Creek in Cass county died at 3 am Sunday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Cheevers, of Meadowbrook road, Benton township. Mrs. Brosnan was born April 17, 1850, in Cleveland, O, the daughter of Barthelomew and Anne Scott. She was brought to Silver Creek near Dowagiac when she was two years old by her parents. On June 4, 1871 she was married to Daniel Brosnan, at Silver Creek Sacred Heart church and they lived on a farm in that community. He died in 1920. Mrs. Brosnan continued to live on the farm until a year and a half ago when she went to reside at the home of her daughter on Meadowbrook road.

The late Mr. and Mrs. Brosnan had a family of nine children, four of whom are now living. There are 19 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The surviving children are Mrs. William Cheevers of Benton township; Daniel Brosnan, supervisor of Silver Creek township; Dennis Brosnan of Silver Creek township; and Miss Frances Brosnan, a policewoman in Chicago.

Mrs. Brosnan was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church of Sliver Creek, and also belonged to the Altar society of that church.

The body will be taken from the Reiser mortuary to the William Cheevers home on Meadowbrook road this afternoon, where it will be in state until Tuesday afternoon. The body will then be taken to the Daniel Brosnan home at Silver Creek.

The rosary will be received at 8 O'clock tonight at the William Cheevers home on Meadowbrook road. At 8 o'clock Tuesday evening the Rosary will be received at the Daniel Brosnan home in Silver Creek.

Requiem high mass will be held at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning from the Sacred Heart church at Silver Creek. The Rev. Fr. M.J. Cassidy, of Dowagiac, will officiate. Interment will take place in the family lot in the church cemetery. contributed by: Jean Brosnan. 

Brosnan Passes - --DOWAGIAC DAILY NEWS 10-12-1915 --- FIFTY YEARS IN ONE TOWNSHIP --Thos. Brosnan Passes Away at Home in Silver Creek Late Yesterday Following an illness of about 8 weeks, with liver trouble death came to Thomas Brosnan yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock at his home in Silver Creek.
  Announcement of the death of Mr. Brosnan was a surprise to his many friends and relatives. In his death, Silver Creek has lost one of its oldest and best known residents as he had resided there about 52 years. The deceased was born near Castle Island, Ireland, County Kerry, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Brosnan and was about 70 years of age. In company with his brothers Daniel and Hugh Brosnan and a number of other immigrants he came to silver Creek in 1863 at the age of 18 years. His parents and other members of the family came here from Ireland in 1866. Practically his entire life since coming to Silver Creek was spent on the homestead where he died. He was one of the few early settlers left in Silver Creek. He was well known and much respected by all who knew him. Mr. Brosnan is survived by one son, Prof Cornelius Brosnan of Boise City, Idaho and two daughters, Mary and Josephine residing at home. His brother, Dennis Brosnan resided on the home farm with him. Other members of the family are two brothers, Daniel Brosnan of Silver Creek, Timothy Bresnahan of this city and a sister Mrs. Thomas Horan of Chicago.
  Complete arrangements for the funeral have not been made although it is to take place from Immaculate Heart Church in Silver Creek, Thursday morning where interment will also take place. Contributed by: JEANBROSNAN

BROSNAN , LEO J. - DOWAGIAC DAILY NEWS 7-29-1931 - LEO J. BROSNAN DIES THIS A.M. After a month of illness Leo J. Brosnan died at his home in Silver Creek this morning. Mr. Brosnan was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Brosnan of Silver Creek this morning and was born March 21, 1894, at the farm home on which he always resided and on which he died today. He was married February 28, 1923, to Rose Cassidy of St. Joseph, who with four little children is left. The children are Marguerite, aged eight, Joann, seven, Leo J., five, and Tommy, four. There is also his aged mother, Mrs. Joann Brosnan, of Silver Creek, two sisters and three brothers, Mrs. William Cheevers, of Benton Harbor, Frances Brosnan of Chicago, Cornea, Dennis and Dan all of Silver Creek. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 o'clock Friday morning at the Silver Creek Catholic church. Fr. Frank Carroll will officiate and burial will be in the cemetery adjacent. Contributed by: JEAN BROSNAN

Brown, Abner - The Marcellus News, Friday 7-16-1909 Death of Abner Brown. Had Been a Resident of Volinia for Over Half a Century Abner Brown was born in Conhocton, Steuben county, N.Y., February 28, 1837. After a long and painful illness he departed this life July 9, 1909, aged seventy-two years, four months and nine days. He was the eldest son of William and Martha Brown, in a family of four brothers and four sisters, one brother and three sisters, having preceded him to the higher life. In 1856 he came to Michigan, staying at Fentonville with an uncle the first night and worked at Jackson the first winter. In the spring of '57 he came to Nicholsville and worked on a farm. Soon after this he bought his first farm and here amid the virgin forests he toiled early and late to clear his farm and establish the beginning of a prosperous home. He was married January 18, 1878, to Frances Elnora Welcher, oldest daughter of Abraham and Catherine Welcher. To this union were born six children five boys and one girl, all of whom survive their father, with the exception of the youngest son who died in infancy. In over fifty years' residence on one farm in Volinia, friends and neighbors always found Abner Brown strictly honest and upright in dealing with his fellow men. His hand was ever out-stretched and ready to help those that tried to help themselves. Many a basket of fruit and delicacies has he carried to a sick neighbor. Before the disabilities of disease and age confined him at home he was ever willing to do all in his power to alleviate the suffering of those who were ill or in distress. Living an honest, upright life he was ready to go when the summons came. He had chosen the friends he wished to carry him to the final resting place, and made other necessary arrangements doing all he could to lighten the grief of his family. He leaves to mourn their loss, his loving wife; five children, Floyd, Wilbur, Emory, George and Bird; one grandchild, Mildred; three brothers and one sister, besides a multitude of friends. Those will miss him most who knew him best. The funeral will be held in the Baptist church in Volinia, Sunday afternoon, July 11, conducted by Rev. Mrs. Garrison. Burial in Pioneer cemetery. Pioneer cemetery is now called Crane Cemetery. - information contributed by: Sonja Hunter

Alonzo Brown - The Daily Commercial (Three Rivers), Tuesday, 8-17-1920 Cass Co. Resident Dies in 3 Rivers. Father of Clark and Claude Brown Passed Away Yesterday - Alonzo Brown, 75 years old, passed away Monday afternoon at South Constantine street, after an illness of more than a year from heart trouble. He was a resident of Wakelee and had come to the home of his son just two weeks ago. Mr. Brown was born in Cohocta [sic] county, New York, May 4, 1856, and when four years old came with his parents to Michigan, settling in Volonia township, Cass county, where he has resided practically his entire life. July 3, 1875, he was united in marriage to Martha Goff to which union six children were born, five of whom are living. He is survived by his widow and the following children: Clark and Claude of Three Rivers; L.G. Brown and Mrs. Myrtle Hildabridle of Wakelee, and Bert of Lawton. One brother, Philo Brown, of Cassopolis also survives. The body was taken to the Baird funeral parlors on Main street. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock at Wakelee, Rev. Shaver of Corey officiating. - contributed by: Sonja Hunter - at - sgschmidt@hotmail.com

Buck. - At his home in Dowagiac, Feb 6, 1885, John Buck - aged 93 years. Cass. Vigilant Feg 19, 1885.

Burns, Thomas - Recording in "The Local Vigilant," Thursday, Jan 12, 1888, that Thomas Burns died at his home in Mottville on January 1, 1888 at the age of 80 years. Certified Record of Death: Vol 1, Page 235, No. 19 from St. Joseph County, Michigan. Original Record was dated May 30, 1889. Thomas Burns died January 1, 1888 in Mottville, Michigan. Cause was Asthma. He was born in Pennsylvania and was a retired farmer. The names of father and mother are not given, but father was listed as being born in Pennsylvania. (Note: place of birth has been listed as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan in various documents)

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