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Updated on August 24, 2009

Benhard, Edgar E. - Monday; May 1, 1950 - Edgar E. Benhard, 85 of rural route six, died at 12:10 p.m. Saturday, in the Cass county hospital near Cassopolis.   Surviving
are two daughters. Mrs. Paul McManus, of Niles, and Mrs. arthur Sayles, of Alliance, O., and two sisters, Mrs. Ernest Blood of Passaic, N. J. and Mrs. Albert Kuppernuss, of Elkhart, Ind.
  Friends may call at the Pifer funeral home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer funeral home with the Rev T. H. Greenhoe officiating. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

Berwick, Nellie M. - Obit appeared Jan 3, 1950 - Three Oaks, Mrs. Nellie M. Berwick 77, of Three Oaks Michigan, died in her home at 205 Ceadar at 9:30 p. m. Monday evening after an illness of five months.
  She was born in Berrien Co., March 1, 1872. - portion of obituary obiterated from copy machine.. End of obit reads.. Friends may call at the connelly funeral home where services will be held at 2:00 p. m. Thrusday. Rev. Lawrence Jackson, pastor of the Congratational church will officiate. Burial will be in Forrest Lawn Cemetery.

Brackett, Cora nee Upson
The Niles Daily Star carried the obituary of Cora Brackett on 20 Dec 1968: “Mrs. Cora Brackett Buchanan-Mrs. Cora Brackett, 70, of Route Two, died at 9 a.m. in the St. Joseph Memorial Hospital of St. Joseph, Mich. where she had been a patient since Mrs. Brackett was born April 2, 1898 in St. Joseph and had been a lifetime resident of Berrien County. She married the late Walter Brackett in St. Joseph Aug 4, 1915. Mr. Brackett died Sept. 6, 1966. She is survived by four sons: Robert and Jack both of Buchanan, Earl of New Troy, and Edward at home; a foster son, Leroy Finch of Edmore, Mich.; four daughters; Mrs. Adelia Mensinger and Mrs. Donna Walley both of Sawyer, Mich., Mrs. Marforie Shepardson of Galien and Caroll at home; a brother John Upson of Berrien Springs and 21 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Sawyer Highland Baptist Church of Sawyer. Rev. Roy Williamson, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will be in the New Troy Cemetery.”
Brackett obituaries - Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Brackett, Edgar L.
The News Palladium carried the obituary of Edgar Brackett on 09 Dec 1952: “Edgar L. Brackett Buchanan, Dec 9-Edgar L. Brackett, 83, died Monday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Adelia Ferry of route 2. He was born in Pipestone township, July 11, 1869, son of John and Sarah Jane Brackett. He married Sarah Jane Woolbridge who preceded him in death, Nov. 3, 1890 in St. Joseph. Besides his daughter, Mr. Brackett is survived by a son, Walter Brackett, of route 2, and two half-sisters, Mrs. Eva Hall, Berrien Springs, and Mrs. August Singbell, of Galien. He also leaves nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Brackett was a member of the Brethern church of New Troy and funeral services will be held there Thursday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Jackson officiating. Burial will be in the New Troy Cemetery. Friends may call at the Swem funeral home until 12:30 Thursday.” Note: His wife was Sarah Jane Wooldridge not Woolbridge.

Brackett, Sarah nee Wooldridge
The Benton Harbor News Palladium carried the obituary for Sarah Brackett on 23 Dec 1926 and reads: “New Troy. Dec. 23-Mrs. Sarah Brackett, wife of Edward Brackett, who with her husband, has been a resident of New Troy for 25 or 30 years, passed away Wednesday evening at 9 o’clock. She had been ill and confined to her bed for some time with erysipelas and heart trouble. She was 52 years old. The deceased leaves a son, Walter and a daughter, Mrs. Peter Ferry, both of New Troy, two brothers in Muskegon, and two sisters, one in South Haven and the other in Illinois. The Bracketts have been known here where they have resided on the same farm three miles southeast of New Troy for many years. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Brethren church, of which the deceased was a member. Rev. John English, will officiate. Burial is to be in the New Troy cemetery.”

Brackett, Walter
The Niles Daily Star carried the obituary of Walter Brackett on 07 Sep 1966: “Walter Brackett Buchanan-Walter Brackett, 72, of route two, died at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph, where he had been a patient 10 days. Mr. Brackett was born March 10, 1894, in LaCota, Ill. He married Cora Upson Aug. 4, 1916, in St. Joseph, in St. Joseph. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Earl, New Troy, Ed and Jack, both at home, and Robert, Buchanan; four daughters, Mrs. Delia Mensinger and Mrs. Donna Walley, both of Sawyer, and Caroll Brackett, at home; a foster son, Leroy Finch, Edmore and 20 grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday in the New Troy Brethren Church. The Rev. Gerald Kelly, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in New Troy Cemetery. Friends will be received at the Swem Funeral Home here from noon Thursday until noon Friday, when the body will be moved to the church to lie in state until time of services.” Notes: Walter was born in Dakota, Illinois not LaCota and the name of Mrs. Marjorie Shepardson, of Galien was omitted as a daughter. Also they were married in 1915 not 1916.

Brant, Barney H - May 10 1952 obituary -
B. H. Brant:   Bainbridge, Dead at 83 Barney H. Brant, 83, who served as justice of the peace of Bainbridge township for 36 continuous years from 1910 to 1946, died at 1; 45 p.m. Friday at Memorial hospital in St. Joseph. Having been ill since Easter, he had been hospitalized since April 13. His home was on South Park avenue, Spinks Corners. Mr. Brant was born September 1, 1868 in Balnbridge township. His father, Nathaniel Brant, came to Michigan in 1836 in a covered wagon and he and his wife were the first couple married in Bainbridge township. Mr. Brant was the last of eight children in his family. A resident of that area his entire life. Mr. Brant was active in community affairs and served as a memeber of the township board, was a member of the Brainbridge township school board for 18 years and for many years was a trustee of the Moore=s Corners Evangelical United Brethren church. Mr. Brant=s first wife, Stella Garrison Brant, daughter of the late Ellme and Helen Garrison, died April 3, 1917. Later Mr. Brant married Elsa Richards. They had two children, Mrs. Donald Dettman of St. Joseph and Barney Brant, Jr., of Kalamazoo, Mrs. L. M. Jones of Sodus, is a daughter by his first marriage. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. There are numerous other relatives. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at the Moore=s Corners Evangelical United Brethren church. Burial will be in Shanghal cemetery. The body will be at the Florin funeral home, where friends may call until 11 a.m. Monday, at that time it will be taken to the church. - obit sent on to me, Deanna West, from Bev Edwards. Contributor unknown to me.

Brant, Claud
The Niles Daily Star carried the death notice for Claude Brant on 14 Nov 1960 and it reads: “Claud Brant Galien-A former Galien resident, Claud Brant, 91, died at 6:45 p.m., Sunday at the Mapleside Manor Rest Home in Decatur. He had been a patient there for six months. He had lived the past two years with his daughter, Mrs. Rachael Drudy, route two, Dowagiac. He was a carpenter by trade. He was born Oct. 10, 1869 in Berrien County, the son of William and Rebecca Brant. He married Ella May Dodd on Aug. 4, 1898 in Bridgman. She died in February, 1958. Survivors include his daughter, a step-son, Austin Dodd of Galien, a half-sister, Mrs. Grace Mast of Bridgman, two grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Friends may call at the Kenney-Connelly Funeral Home after noon on Tuesday. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.” The following day the same newspaper carried the following notice: “Brant Rites Set Galien-Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Kenney-Connelly Funeral Home here for Claud Brant, 91, well known Galien farmer and carpenter who died at 6:45 p.m. Sunday in Mapleside Manor Rest Home, Decatur. The Rev. James Timmons, pastor of the Olive Branch Evangelical United Brethren Church, will officiate and burial will be in Galien Cemetery. Mr. Brant, a longtime resident of this community, was preceded in death by his wife, Ella May Dodd Brant, whom he had married on Aug. 4, 1888, in Bridgman. The couple had celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary prior to her death in November, 1958.”
Brant obituaries - Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Brant, Clyde
Clyde Brant’s obituary was carried by the News Palladium on 01 Oct 1962 and reads: “Clyde Brant, 81, died at 7 a.m. Sunday at Fuller’s Rest Home in Eau Claire, where he was a patient. He had been ill since last May. Mr. Brant, a carpenter until his retirement in 1946, was born July 7, 1881, in Pipestone township. His first wife, Rachel, died Sept. 15, 1941. Mr. Brant is survived by his wife, the former Florence Hale of Missouri, who now resides at 1002 Second street in Benton Harbor. Also surviving are two sons, Arthur, of St. Joseph, and LaVerne, of Benton harbor; a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Kelly, of Berrien Springs; a brother, Arthur, of Grand Rapids; and a sister, Mrs. Sylvia Haigginson, also of Grand Rapids, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the church of the Nazarene, at McCord and McGuigan streets in Benton Harbor, on Tuesday at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Russell Spary officiating. Burial will be in the Spring Run cemetery in Scottdale. Friends may call at the Kerlikowske, Starks and Beatty funeral home until 9 a.m. Tuesday, and at the church from 10 until 11 a.m.”

Brant, Ella
The Niles Daily Star carried the death notice for Ella Brant on 12 Nov 1958 and it reads: “Mrs. Ella Brant Galien-Mrs. Ella Brant, 90, a lifelong Galien area resident, died at 6:30a.m. today in Berrien County Hospital, Berrien Center. Mrs. Brant had been a patient at the hospital intermittently since she suffered a broken hip in a fall in her home several weeks ago. … to be removed to the Connelly Funeral Home where arrangements are incomplete.” The following day this notice was carried in the same newspaper: “Brant Rites Set Galien-Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Brant, 90, who died early Wednesday at the Berrien Center Hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Galien Methodist Church with the Rev. Philip Brown, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Galien Cemetery. Friends may call at the Kenney-Connelly Funeral Home in Galien.”

Brant, Elias
Elias A. Brant’s obituary was carried in the New Palladium on 18 Jan 1946 and reads: “E.A. Brant, Sawyer Resident, Is Dead Sawyer, Jan 18-Elias A. Brant, 79, prominent resident of Sawyer, died at 3 p.m. Thursday at his home after an illness of seven months. Born Oct. 15, 1866 in Pipestone township where he lived most of his life in Sawyer and was a carpenter by trade. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Jane Brant, who died six years ago. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Grace Doyle of New Carlisle, Ind.; Mrs. Pearl E. Zeigler of Sawyer; and one granddaughter, Mrs. Burdette Sexton of Sawyer. He also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Tine Myers of Bridgman, Mrs. Cora Blakeman and Mrs. Maude Manudsyln of Bridgman. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Hall funeral home of Bridgman where friends may call until the hour of the service. The Rev. Frederick Williams, pastor of the Olivet Congregational church of Bridgman will officiate and burial will be made in New Troy cemetery in New Troy.

Brant, Eliza nee Critzer
Eliza Brant’s obituary was carried by the News Palladium on 27 May 1957 and reads: “Mrs. Eliza Brant Bridgman, May 27-Mrs. Eliza Brant, 91, died at her home on route 1, Bridgman, at 6:15 p.m. Sunday. Although she had been in poor health about two weeks her death was unexpected. She was born Aug. 11, 1865, in Oronoko township and spent her entire lifetime in Berrien county. Her husband Jeff Brant died in 1930. Mrs. Brant is survived by four children, Mrs. Eather O’Barton of Sawyer, Mrs. Harry Spaulding of Bridgman, Lloyd Brant of Sawyer and Mrs. Elmer Myers of Bridgman; three sisters, Mrs. Catherine Calderwood of Benton Harbor, and Mrs. Clara Huff and Mrs. Mary Swartz, both of Buchanan; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Boyd funeral chapel. The Rev. Frederick Williams, pastor of Olivet Congregational church will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood cemetery. Friends may call at the Boyd funeral chapel.”

Brant, Jefferson
Jefferson W. Brant’s obituary was carried in the New Palladium on 29 Mar 1930 and reads: “Hold Services For J.W. Brant Sawyer, March 29-Funeral services were held this afternoon for Jeff W. Brant, 72, whose home for more than 30 years had been in Browntown, near Sawyer. Mr. Brant, a lifelong resident of Berrien county, died last Wednesday morning after an illness that began two years ago. Until that time he had been active and in good health. Because of the storm and snow blocked roads arrangements for the funeral were not made until yesterday by Undertaker W.F. Hall of Bridgman. The services today were conducted by Rev. John English of New Troy, and were held at 1 o’clock at the Brant home in Browntown and 2 o’clock at the Bridgman Congregational church. Nephews were bearers. Burial was in Greenwood cemetery at Bridgman.”

Brant, Jerusha nee Wright
A death notice was carried in Jerusha Brant the South Bend Tribune on Friday August 6, 1915. It reads: “The Mortuary Record. Mrs. Phillip Brant Mrs. Phillip Brant, a former resident of South Bend, died this morning at her home in Bridgman, Mich. She is the mother of Mrs. Albert Norton, 1120 Allen street, who will leave to-night for Bridgman. Funeral arrangements have not been made.”

Brant, Joseph
An obituary for Joseph Brant was carried in the Ludington Daily News on 03 Nov 1952 and it reads: “Joseph Brant Dies Saturday Joseph Brant, 79, died at his farm home in Sherman township Saturday evening following a lingering illness. He was born Dec. 24, 1872, at Berrien Springs and had lived in Sherman township for 48 years. Those who survive are his widow, Emma; one son, Walter of Muskegon; and three nephews. Funeral rites will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday from fountain Methodist church with the Rev. Mr. Andrew E. Johnson, pastor of the Trinity Evangelical Free church of Ludington, Officiating. Burial will be in Fountain Cemetery. The body will remain at Stephens chapel in Scottville until time of services.” Joseph was the son of Norman and Amanda (Brant) Brant of Berrien County. DOD 01 Nov 1952

Brant, Lacey
Lacey Brant’s death notice was carried in the The Daily Palladium printed in Benton Harbor, Michigan on 18 Sep 1891, under a segment about news from Hollywood. Hollywood was a small village in Royalton Township, Berrien County, Michigan. This death notice reads: “Lacey Brant was born in Maradon, Genesee county, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1810. Moved from there to Pennsylvania and was married to Angeline Brown Nov. 29, 1830. Moved from Pennsylvania to Michigan in 1839, where he lived until his death, which occurred Sept. 11, 1891. He was 81 years 9 months and 8 days old. The funeral services were preached at 12 o’clock Sunday, Rev A. W. Willis officiating. The deceased was a soldier in the war of ’61 and the G. A. R. of St. Joseph was largely represented.” Maradon should read Macedon. Some believe that his burial site is in the Spring Run Cemetery where there is a Civil War Marker for Wm. L. Brant and this marker does bear his unit for his Civil War service. I, however, have never seen any documents that show his first name as Wm.

Brant, Lloyd
Lloyd Brant’s obituary was carried in the New Palladium on 28 Oct 1957 and reads: “Lloyd Brant Sawyer, Oct. 28-Lloyd Brant, 68, Sawyer, died at his home at 8:10 a.m. today after an illness covering the past year. Mr. Brant was born Nov. 18, 1888, in Sawyer, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Brant. He spent his entire life in Sawyer and was a general building contractor. Survived by his wife, Katherine; and three daughters, Mrs. Gertrude Lehmann of Sawyer, Mrs. Steven Sperry of Sawyer and Mrs. Doris Bradley of South Haven; one son, Donald of Sawyer. Six grandchildren and one great grandson. Three sisters, Mrs. Eather O’Barton of Sawyer, Mrs. Harry Spaulding and Mrs. Elmer Myers, both of Bridgman, also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the H.B. Connelly funeral home in Three Oaks. Burial will follow in Riverside cemetery in Riverside. Friends may call at the H.B. Connelly funeral home until the service.”

Brant, William
The News Palladium carried the obituary of William Brant on 11 Apr 1931 and it reads: “William Brant, 84, Of Livingston Dies; Rites Sunday Bridgman, April 11-Funeral services will be held here Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Congregational church for the late William Brant, 84, who died Friday at his home in Livingston. The Rev. Ferderic Williams will officiate and burial will follow in the Greenwood cemetery. The casket bearers will be Bert Brant, Aney Brant, Claude Brant, John Mast, William Mead and Roscoe Decker. The late Mr. Brant had been ill 10 years. He suffered a stroke several years ago and the effects of the stroke and the weakness of his advanced age kept him confined to his bed for a long interval. The deceased is survived by his wife, two sons, Claude of Galien and Anzey of Benton Harbor; two daughters, Mrs. Charles Richardson of Benton Harbor and Mrs. Grace Mast of Livingston, and two step daughters, Mrs. Frank Decker and Mrs. William Mead. Five grandchildren also survive. One son, Robert died fourteen years ago.”

Breland, Thad
The Niles Daily star carried the obituary of Thad Breland on 23 Jul 1971: “Thad G. Breland Buchanan-Thad G. Breland, 55, Galien, died Friday at Benton Harbor Mercy Hospital from injuries he suffered Monday … machine overturned on him. He was employed by the Berrien County Road Commission. Mr. Breland was born March 1, 1916, in Vicksburg, Miss., and married Margaret Henspeter on July 29, 1937. She survives. Other survivors include a son, Thad Jr., a sister, Mrs. Lyle Smith of South Bend, three daughters, Mrs. Jack Phillippi, Mrs. Ronald Hein and Mary, all of Galien and his mother, Mrs. Phenie Pease of Buchanan. Other survivors are four half-sisters, Mrs. Audry Diamond of Kalamazoo, Mrs. Orville Sprick of Lake City, Minn., Mrs. Helen Tucker of Brayton, Fla. And Mrs. James Will of Niles and six half-brothers, Clarence Pease of Kendalville, Ind., Delorn Pease of Keystone, Ind., Leonard and Clayton Pease, both of Buchanan, and Denver and Burl Pease of Roanoke, Ind. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Swem-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joseph Polmounter officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home after noon Saturday. Burial will be in Galien Cemetery.”
Contributed by: William Brackett at brackettwilliam@yahoo.com

Bryarly, Harold D. Jr.
MOTTVILLE--Harold D. "Bud" Bryarly Jr., 58, of 69639 Thomas Rd., died at his home after an extended illness. He was born Sept. 22, 1938, in Elkhart, IN, a son of Harold Dale and Evelyn (Drudge) Bryarly Sr. On April 18, 1959, he married Nancy L. Green in Niles. They moved to Mottville Twp., White Pigeon, MI in 1968. He was employed at Interstate Manufacturing in Mottville for six years as a trimmer in the wood department. He also owned the Mottville Black Powder Shop and was a trader of black powder items and muzzle loaders. He was a member of the St. Joseph County Conversation Club of Sturgis, director of the Black Powder Range, and was affiliated with the Pokagon Long Rifles, Brothers of the Wind of Indiana and other groups of the Pre-1840's Rendezvous reinactments of the old days. Surviviing are his wife: two daughters, Mrs. Kim (Pamela) Bigelow of Mottville, and Paula Wilson-Case of Scottville; one son, Harold D. Bryarly III of Mottville; five grandchildren, Nicholas and Matthew Bigelow, Kelly and Zebulon Wilson, and Joseph Case; his mother, Evelyn Artley of Elkhart, IN; four sisters, Mrs. Jerry (Sharon) Neely, Janice Alwine, Mrs. Danny (Mary) Dull, and Mrs. Doug (Nancy) Albaugh, all of Elkhart, IN; one brother, Richard C. Artley of Elkhart, IN; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; his stepfather, Eugene D. Artley, and his grandparents. There will bo no visitaion. Services are at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Mottville Bible Church with the Rev. Dennis Snyder officating. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice pf Sturgis or thew Mottville Bible CHurch. Envelopes are available at the Farrand Funeral Home, which handled the arrangements. Taken From the Sturgis Journal October 1996

Contributed By Paula Wilson-Case

Bryarly, Nancy L.

Feb. 7, 1939 - April 22, 2006
WHITE PIGEON - Nancy Lou Bryarly, 67, died at 7:18 p.m. Saturday in Sturgis Hospital after an illness. Survivors include two daughters, Pamela Bigelow of White Pigeon and Paula Wilson-Case of LaGrange; a son, Harold D. III of White Pigeon; and a sister, Mary A. Burdue of Niles. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Mottville Bible Church. There will be no visitation. Farrand Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Taken From the South Bend Tribune, 25 April 2006

White Pigeon--Nancy Lou Bryarly, 67, of 69639 Thomas Rd., Mottville Twp., Mich., died Saturday, April 22, 2006 at Sturgis Hospital after a one week illness. She was born Feburary 7, 1939 in Battle Creek, Mich., a daughter of Willard S. and Neva (Mayo) Green. She has lived in the Mottville area since 1968, coming from Niles, Mich. On April 18, 1959, she married Harold D. Bryarly Jr. in Niles. He died October 27, 1996. She was a homemaker and had worked at Syndicate Store Fixtures in Middlebury, Ind. and Kenco. She was a self-employed housekeeper. She was an honorary member of the Pokagon Long Rifles, the Medicine Bear Clan, and Brothers of the Wind. Her greatest joy was helping raise her grandchildren and great-grandchild; and helping them to obtain their goals. Surviving are: two daughters, Pamela Bigelow of White Pigeon and Paula Wilson- Case (Mike Schneider)of LaGrange, Ind.; one son Harold D. Bryarly III of White Pigeon. Five grandchildren: Nicholas and Matthew Bigelow, Mrs.Larry(Kelly) Cowels, Zebulon Wilson, and Joseph Case; a great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Bigelow; Three step great-grandchildren; Larry Jr.,Nathan and Jesse Cowels; a sister, Mary Ann Burdue of Niles. She was proceeded in death by her parents and her husband. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. Funeral services will be held at 2p.m. Thursday at the Mottville Bible church with Rev.Micheal Bender and Rev.Ted Jones officiating. Arrangements are being handled by the Farrand Funeral Home of White Pigeon. Memorials may be made to the White Pigeon Township library or the Mottville Bible Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Taken From The Sturgis Journal, April 25, 2006

Contributed By Paula Wilson-Case

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