Mr. Robert A. Holy, 77, of Winkler Road, Niles, died at 3:24 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2007, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, following an extended illness.
He was born on August 10, 1929, in Niles, to John M. and Ida (Guard) Holy, and lived in Niles all of his life. He was employed for many years by Freeman-Spicer Studebaker of South Bend, and was retired from Brandywine Public Schools, Niles. In retirement he continued with seasonal work at both Brandywine and Edwardsburg (Michigan) Schools.
Mr. Holy attended the Portage Road General Baptist Church, Niles. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Niles Township Fire Department. He enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting, camping and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the western and southern United States, and spent many winters in Frostproof, Florida. His greatest interest was his wife and family, and attending the activities of his grandchildren.
On July 30, 1949, in the parsonage of First Methodist Church, Niles, he married the former Vera Hauch, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Debra (Tom) Hessey and Chris (Frelen Gowen) Zache, all of Niles, and Mike (Kathy) Holy of Buchanan; grandchildren, Deanna (Joe) Rudell, Brian (Michelle) Zache, Brad (Jenna) Zache, Bruce (Erica) Zache, Angie Holy, Ryan Holy and Aaron Holy; great-grandchildren, Chase Rudell, Zachary Zache and Matthew Zache; his brother, Jim (Marion) Holy, and sister, Martha Bunnell, both of Jackson, MI; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Holy was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Lisa Hessey, who died on December 10, 1996; a son-in-law, Gary Zache in 1984; his brothers, Frank Holy and Charles Holy; a sister, Mary Jane Holy, and a half brother, Marion Carnes.
The funeral services for Robert A. Holy will be at 11 a.m. today, April 27, in the Portage Road General Baptist Church, Niles, with Pastor Garland Rhodes of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
The family received relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Holy may be made to Hospice at Home.