Clayton R. Finch
Nov. 25, 1922 - Aug. 3, 2010
South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN), Wednesday, August 4, 2010, page B3
NILES - Clayton R. Finch, 87, of South Lincoln Avenue, Niles, MI, died of natural causes at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, in his home.
Mr. Finch was born November 25, 1922, in Niles, to Lloyd and Elizabeth (Fisher) Finch. He graduated from Niles High School and was a lifetime resident of Niles. He retired in 1985 from National Standard Company in Niles. He also retired from New York Central Railroad and was employed at the Hawthorne Melody Dairy in South Bend.
Clayton was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army.
He was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles, and the Knights of Columbus Council #708 Third Degree, Fr. Baroux Assembly #0476 Fourth Degree. He was a board member of Saint Vincent DePaul in Niles and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He was an avid University of Notre Dame fan, fisherman, golfer, gardener and candy maker. He was famous for his toffee and peanut brittle.
On December 28, 1963, in Niles, he married the former Anna B. Wetmore, who survives. Surviving family also include their sons, Daniel (Debbie) Finch and Joseph (Mary) Malott; daughter, Ruth (Michael) Murphy, all of Niles; five grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Griffee of South Bend.
Mr. Finch was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl, Bill and Webster Finch.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Clayton R. Finch will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 6, 2010, in Saint Mary Catholic Church, Niles, with the Rev. David Otto of the church officiating.
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with a Flag Presentation by the American Legion.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, where a Rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Clayton may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church.