Norman N. Kneile
April 14, 1916-Nov. 19, 2008
Norman M. Kneile, 92, of Honeysuckle Lane, Niles, formerly of Elkhart, Ind., died at 6:25 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at Meadow View Estates, Cassopolis, following an extended illness.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, with the Rev. Edward H. Slate of the church officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Burial will take place at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
He was born on April 14, 1916, in Grosse Pointe, to Oscar and Hilda (Magnuson) Kneile and graduated from Houghton Lake High School with the class of 1933.
He was formerly employed by American Coating Mills and Continental Can Corporation, both in Elkhart, Ind. He retired from Preston Trucking Company, South Bend, Ind. He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local No. 364.
He had lived in Niles since 1997.
He was a member of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church in Elkhart, Ind. for 54 years and was currently a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles.
As a young father, he served as Scoutmaster of Troop No. 60, Boy Scouts of America.
He also bowled on Continental Can's team; enjoyed reading, especially historic biographies, outdoor activities including camping and canoeing. He also enjoyed Big Band music and John Wayne westerns.
On Oct. 22, 1938, in Bristol, Ind., he married the former Georganna E. Grandstaff. She died on March 4, 2000.
He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Andrea Kneile, who died in 1992 and two sisters, Elsie Smith and Helen Pifer.
He is survived by his children, Robert N. (Ruth) Kneile of Des Moines, Iowa, Shirley E. (Jim) Collins of Plainfield, Ind. and Carol A. (Jim) Gillispie of Niles; five grandchildren, Aaron Kneile, Matt Collins, twins Anne Anderson and Jenny Rogers and Amy Gillispie and three great-grandchildren, Julia Kneile, Jack and Collin Anderson.
His family wishes to express their gratitude for the care by the staffs of Hospice, Meadow View Estates and Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles.
Contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Niles, or Michigan Parkinson foundation for research.
Arrangements were by Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown