Eugene J. Bailey, 80

Published 7:34 pm Sunday, January 29, 2012

Eugene J. Bailey, 80
May 16, 1931 — Jan. 27, 2012

Eugene J. Bailey, 80, of Niles and formerly of Berrien Springs, died at 6:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at West Woods of Niles, following an extended illness.
He was born on May 16, 1931, in Benton Harbor, to Jesse and Lucille (Pacholke) Bailey. He attended Berrien Springs schools and lived in this area all of his life. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Air Force.
Eugene enjoyed country music and had visited the Grand Ole Opry many times, collecting memorabilia from several performers. He also enjoyed the company of pets all of his life. On Dec. 19, 1953, in Eau Claire, he married the former Shirley Repar, who preceded him in death on March 17, 1987. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Fredrick Bailey, on March 30, 2007.
Surviving family includes his niecs, Marlena (and Jim) Ballard of South Bend, Ind., and Traci Andrade of Elkhart, Ind., and a special longtime friend, Mary Ann “Teddi” Kilburn of Berrien Springs.
Services for Eugene Bailey will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with Sheila Patterson of Berrien Springs officiating. The service will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and Taps by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs.