Aug. 21, 1916 — Feb. 17, 2014

On Feb. 17, 2014, Howard Passig went home to be with his savior. He was born Aug. 21, 1916, in Benton Harbor, Mich., to the late Henry P. and Molly (Rothenberg) Passig.

He moved with his family to Niles two years later and lived in the area for more than 90 years.

Howard graduated from Niles High School and served his country honorably in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He retired from the US Postal Service in 1971 after 30 years of service.

On Nov. 27, 1943, in Niles, Howard married the former Mary E. Sommer. After 67 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on Jan. 10, 2011.

He was also preceded by a grandson, Benjamin Thomas and his sisters, Louella Przybysz, Glenna Leet and Maxine Leazenby.

Surviving Howard are four daughters, Linda Passig and Rebecca (Gary) Thomas, both of Niles, Patricia Passig of Plymouth, Minn. and Ruth (Jerry) Miller of Champlin, Minn.; two sons, Harold (Kandus) Passig of Lenoir, NC and Robert (Barbara) Passig of Niles; 10 grandchildren, Jim (Charlotte) Passig, Randy (Mary) Passig, Steven (Jennifer) Passig, Paul (Kristee) Miller, Daniel (Stacie) Miller, Joel (Stacey) Thomas, Sara (Dewayne) Johnson, Levi (Miranda) Passig, Adam Passig and Brittney Passig; and twelve great grandchildren, Hayden Passig, Olivia Passig, Anthony Passig, Emily Passig, Josiah Passig, Micah Passig, Julia Passig, Christopher Miller, Rebecca Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Thomas Johnson and Daniel Johnson.

Howard was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church in Niles. As a young man, he recognized that he was a sinner and needed a savior. He trusted Jesus Christ for salvation which, therefore, gave him the assurance of eternal life. He was a godly example of a husband, father and grandfather.

Howard loved spending time with his family and made clocks for each of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening and served in various capacities in church.

Funeral services for Howard will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 in Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church, 216 Beeson Road, Niles with Rev. Brad Lomax officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 in the Palmer Funeral Home – Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend as well as one hour prior to services Friday in church.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Howard may be donated to Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church, Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be left for the Passig family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.