Darwin E. Dawson, 93, of Sheffield Avenue in Niles, Mich., died at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Lakeland Community Hospital following a brief illness.

Mr. Dawson was born on November 21, 1916 in Slayton, Minn., to Earl Thurman and Anna E. (Godfrey) Dawson. He lived in this area most of his life. He was employed for 28 years at the Kawneer Company in Niles from which he retired.

Darwin attended Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles, and was a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army. In retirement he moved to Ludington, Mich., where he was a member of the Hamlin Lake Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and visiting his children and grandchildren.

On Oct. 8, 1938 in Dowagiac, Mich., he married the former Myrtle L. Lohroff, who preceded him in death on April 14, 2000.

Mr. Dawson is survived by their daughters, Anne (and Russell) Wychocki of Scottville, Mich., and Jean Perkins of Plainwell, Mich., sons Tom (and Karen) Dawson of Niles and Jim (and Linda) Dawson of Racine, Wisc., 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

He also was preceded in death by his sister, Lillian Barton and brother, Wayne Dawson.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Darwin E. Dawson will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles by the Rev. David Otto of the parish. Committal rites will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac and will conclude with full military honors by American Legion Post No. 51, Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of the rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Contributions in memory of Darwin may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.