Lucius Vassar Jr.
December 29, 1922-January 7, 2008
Lucius Vassar Jr., 85, of Poplar Street, Niles, MI, died at 2:48 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, in West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.
Mr. Vassar was born on December 29, 1922, in Blytheville, AR, to Lucius and Elnora (Williams) Vassar Sr. He had lived in Niles since 1942, coming from Arkansas. Lucius retired from Clark Equipment.
Lucius was a member of Franklin A.M.E. Church in Niles where he was a steward, trustee, lay reader and taught Sunday school.
He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. He was past Master of John W. Moore Lodge F.& A.M. and was a 32nd degree Mason, past Potentate of AIZiber Temple #81 in Kalamazoo, and past Patron of Miriam Chapter #53. Lucius was a former member of the City of Niles Zoning Commission. He also helped St. John's United Church of Christ for many years as a custodian.
On July 3, 1945, in Niles, he married the former Ruth M. Emmons, who survives. Mr. Vassar is also survived by their children, Gwen (Luther) Taylor Sr. of South Bend, Margaret (Dennis) Thompson of Wichita, KS, Vernita "Tuffy" Vassar of Niles, Jacqueline (Benjamin) Johnson of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Lucius Adam Vassar of Detroit, MI; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Lucius Vassar Jr. will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in the Franklin A.M.E. Church in Niles, with Rev. Jared L. Graves of the church and Rev. Alfred Watts of Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, officiating.
Interment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles. Friends may call one hour prior to the services in the church.
Arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Senior Citizens Center Building Fund, 1109 Bell Road, Niles, MI 49120.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown