F. William Felden Jr., of Niles
Aug. 18, 1918 — March 26, 2017
Niles Daily Star, Published 9:14 am Wednesday, March 29, 2017
F. William Felden Jr., 98, of Niles, died peacefully at 5:51 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2017, with his family gathered around at his home, following a brief illness. They are grateful for the compassionate and dignified care provided by the staff of Heartland Hospice Services of Kalamazoo.
He was born Aug. 18, 1918, in Detroit, to Floyd William Sr. and Gertrude Louise (Exner) Felden.
- F. William Felden
He graduated from Niles High School, and earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the former Chicago Technical College. He began his career at the former Buchanan offices of Clark Equipment Company, but after a few years volunteered for the war effort by enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was sent to the Technical Training Command at Yale University, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He moved from aircraft maintenance to design and development, and completed his active duty as a first lieutenant, and a veteran of World War II. His service continued in the reserves, from which he earned the rank of captain, and eventually retired.
Bill returned to Clark Equipment, moving from plant engineering and maintenance, to property acquisition and development. He continued his education to help keep the plants and operations at the leading edge of technology, and was promoted to the position of Corporate Manager of Properties. As governmental oversight began to impact the manufacturing environment, he took on the responsibilities for compliance, adding safety and security to his title. He retired after 30 years of participating in the successful international expansion of Clark Equipment.
In retirement, he served as a consultant and continued his interest and memberships in many state and national safety and professional associations. He also enjoyed using his management and engineering skills on a much smaller scale, overseeing the family farm and maintaining its much smaller equipment.
He was a life member of First Presbyterian Church in Niles, where he served as a trustee, an elder and an usher. He was also a member of the B.P.O. of Niles Elks 1322, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 95 in Niles, the Retired Military Officers Association and the Greater Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, and volunteered as a community representative to Lake Michigan College. He had been a member of the former Pickwick Club in Niles, and the former Summit Club in South Bend, Indiana. More recently, he enjoyed fellowship over coffee at Martin’s, often at the head of the table, discussing and offering solutions to the world’s problems.
Surviving family includes his wife, Allene Felden, and their daughter, Jane (Thomas, Ph.D.) Jeltes of Ada, Michigan; a granddaughter, Sarah Jane Jeltes of Dade City, Florida; Bill’s sister-in-law, Mary (Richard) Felden of Barrington, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Felden Sr. and Gertrude (Harley) Garland, and by his brothers, George D. Felden and Richard L. Felden. A funeral service for William Felden Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church in Niles, with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence officiating, assisted by the Rev. Raymond Fulbright of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. Committal will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51 of Buchanan. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Felden may be made to The Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, MI 49120, or to Heartland Hospice Services, 8075 Creekside Drive, Ste. 120, Portage, MI 49024. halbritterfunerals.com