Alan Vetter, 79
July 18, 1930 – April 7, 2010
Alan I. Vetter, 79, formerly of Niles died at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Laurels of Kent in Lowell, Mich. following an extended illness.
He was born July 18, 1930 in South Bend to George I. Vetter and Kathryn Schmidt Vetter. He lived most of his life at 405 South Saint Joseph St., Niles, moving to Grand Rapids in 1997. He was employed for several years at the former Niles Cabinet Co.
Al graduated from Niles High School in 1948. He had an outstanding record with the Niles High School baseball team as a pitcher, which led to a successful tryout with the Detroit Tigers. An eye injury ended his major league baseball career before his first game. He completed a year at Western Michigan University, but his eyesight continued to fail, eventually leaving him blind. He continued to follow baseball as a fan of the Tigers, and enjoyed following the University of Michigan football team.
His survived by a brother, Thomas F. Vetter, of Rochester, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his father, George I. Vetter, D.D.S., who died in 1952; mother, Kathryn Schmidt Vetter, who died in 1987; and a brother, John H. “Jack” Vetter, who died in 1995.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at the graveside, Silverbrook Cemetery with Raymond Fulbright of First Presbyterian Church officiating.
Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. No visitation will be offered.
Arrangements were made at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Niles Daily Star, Published 8:36am Friday, April 9, 2010