Riverview Cemetery
St. Joseph, Michigan
Operated by: City of St. Joseph
Located on the East side of Niles Avenue north of I-94

History:  In the early 20th century it was realized that eventually the St. Joseph City Cemetery would someday be out grown, even with the mausoleum that had been added. The need for additional burial area was noted and a solution sought. The older tired looking cemetery of Royalton Heights was in existence. It was thought that by adding to the old and creating new burial areas, along with beautifying the grounds, it would encourage purchases in this portion of the city. Riverview was originally purchased from Adelbert Birdsey in 1912. This land was adjacent to the Royalton Heights Cemetery. 1934 brought additional changes with a 24 X 35 foot bungalow type building with fieldstone front administration building was built. The plans for the building were drawn by Homer Harper. Also a stone drive was placed in the cemetery, including the Royalton portion for easy access. In January of 1935 Riverview purchased an additional 27 ½ acres, which was comprised of 2 tracts North and West of the then existing cemetery. A purchase from William A. Combs was agreed to.  This completed the surrounding land of the old Royalton Heights Cemetery leaving no clear definition of where the older cemetery ended and the newer began. There was quite a bit of beautification done, including the old Royalton portion. Adding the additional 27 plus acres brought the total up to 32 1/2 acres in the year 1935.

Today Riverview has grown to over 40 acres and it is nearly impossible to determine where Royalton Heights Cemetery ends and Riverview Cemetery begins. If you did not know Royalton Heights Cemetery is what appears to be the older section of Riverview Cemetery you would believe they are one.  Also see Royalton Heights Cemetery on our site. There are some duplicates listed owing to the fact that there are no boundaries indicated of where the old cemetery ends and new cemetery begins.

The following partial burial listings contain many of the families that once lived in Berrien County or had family connections. For a full listing of this cemetery, the Berrien County Genealogical Society offers a book that may be purchased on the readings and studies done by the group. (See below link)

Cemetery Overview	Photos by: Teresa O'Riley	Lucy K. Miller 1871 - 1925
Lila Lee Smith 1900 - 1969	Memorial to Flight 2501 Crashed Lake Michigan June 23, 1950	Walter B. Smith 1907 - 1944

A PARTIAL LISTING BELOW