Alton R. Key
Sept. 7, 1922-Dec. 14, 1999
Alton R. "Bud" Key, 77, of North Seventeenth Street, Niles, Mich., died of a brief illness at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999, at his home.
He was born to Bernard and Linnie (Dillingham) Key on Sept. 7, 1922, in Nortonville, Ky. He had lived in Niles for 47 years, coming from Milwaukee, Wis.
Mr. Key was the owner and operator of Key Ceramics in Niles. In 1984, after 42 years of employment, he retired from Montgomery Ward, Niles.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in World War II, and was a member of American Legion Post 26 and VFW Post 4025, both in Niles.
On Sept. 20, 1947, in Dubuque, Iowa, he married the former Martha V. Czarnyszka, who died on Nov. 14, 1994. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jackie K. Key.
Mr. Key is survived by his children, Peggy Soule of Sterling Heights, Mich., Kenneth R. Key of Miami Lakes, Fla., Robert L. Key of Kansas City, Mo., Donna F. Rans and Linda M. Green, both of Niles; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; three sisters living in Mishawaka, Ind., Margaret McKinney, Aminell Harbin and Maymie Pride; a sister, Martha Faye Dosmann of St. Louis, Mo.; and by his brother, Delbert Key of Mishawaka, Ind.
Funeral services for Alton R. Key will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Mr. Robert Key of Kansas City officiating. A veterans flag presentation and taps officiated by John McLaughlin, commander of American Legion Post 26, will follow the committal in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. today, Dec. 17, at the funeral home.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Key may be made to Hospice at Home or to the American Lung Association.
Submitted by family member; publication details unknown