By Staff
Burton Floyd Sheeley, Sr., 83, of Niles, died at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind. on Wednesday, May 8, 2008.
A time of visitation will be held on Monday, May 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home and also from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13 with funeral services starting at 11 a.m.
He will be interred at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in the Veteran's Garden.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1924 to the late Benjamin and Dora (Yaw) Sheeley in Niles. He grew up as one of nine children in the Sheeley household.
After graduating from high school he was called to duty for the United States Army. He proudly served his country until his tour was complete in 1946.
On Aug. 21, 1948, Burt wed Dolores Bennitt at a ceremony in Galien. Together they had five children and a 31-year marriage.
After hs military service, he served his upholstery apprenticeship under the GI Bill. He then went to work for the Sanitary Mattress Company, doing upholstery work, in South Bend, Ind. Hecouldn't stand not being busy so he opened his own business which he properly named Burt's Upholstery. The business closed in 1979 and he later went to work for Tepe Furniture until he retired in 2006.
Sheeley couldn't retire at a normal age though; he worked full time plus some until he was 82 years old. When he wasn't working though he could always be found outside in his flower garden or traveling to see the fall colors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Dora; son, Bernard Sheeley; brothers, Kenneth, Donald and Warren Sheeley; sister, Inez Geelan, sister-in-law, Vivian Sheeley and brother-in-law, Walter "Wally" Truhn.
Surviving family includes sons Burton Sheeley, Jr. of Niles and Bruce (Cheryl) Sheeley of Bell Fourche, S.D.; daughters Bonnie (David) Dodd of Three Oaks and Sharon Fernwalt of Niles; 16 Grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Harrison Sheeley of Three Oaks and Marshall Sheeley of Niles and sisters, Lila Truhn of Galien and Jean Rickerman of Galien.
Memorial contributions may be made to Children's International Life Line; 16106 Brookwood Drive; Buchanan, MI 49107.
Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.
Arrangements were by Brown Funeral Home &Cremation Services of Niles.