By Staff
Harold W. "Huck" Hipshear, 86, lifelong Niles resident, died unexpectedly of natural causes at his home on West River Road, Niles, at 10:01 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, at Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, with the Rev. Kyle Gardner of the church officiating.
Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, with full military honors by American Legion Post No. 51.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 13, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
He was born on Jan. 8, 1923, in Niles to William F. and Frances (Siebert) Hipshear.
He graduated from Niles High School in 1941 and entered the U.S. Army as a combat engineer in September of 1941. He fought in Word War II from the beaches of Normandy to Berlin.
After the war, he returned to Niles and married his childhood sweetheart, Jeanne Edna Clay in Detroit on April 6, 1946.
Completing his tool and die apprenticeship at South Bend Tool &Die, he had a 37-year career with them and Capitol Industries of South Bend, Ind.
Many lasting friendships were made from his employment.
He was a lifelong member of Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles, serving on the council and the building and grounds committee. He was the church's "unofficial greeter" for many years.
An avid metal and woodworker, he used his skills to help many friends and family members over the years.
He enjoyed working on his farm, hunting, fishing and travel. Most importantly he was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather and friend, who always made those he met feel like they were a part of the family.
Surviving family includes Jeanne, his wife of 63 years; their children, Marcia (Edward) Wirth of Zeeland, Tom Elliot of Zeeland, Fred (Janie) Hipshear of Dowagiac, Mark (Linda) Hipshear of Elkhart, Ind. and Diane (Daniel) Jackson of Bristow, Va.; grandchildren, Christopher Wirth, Jeff Joers, Brooke (Dustin) Calhoun, Alec Hipshear, Adam Jackson, Allyson Jackson, Nora Hipshear, Ashlee Jackson, Rick Rivera, Lauren Hipshear and a great-granddaughter, Caroline Calhoun. He is also survived by a brother, Wallace (Pat) Hipshear of Niles and a sister, Joan Savage of Escanaba.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint John's United Church of Christ, Niles. Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.