Born: July 22, 1924

Died: April 5, 2013

Robert Leroy ‘Poppy’ Myers, 88, of Niles, died at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2013, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on July 23, 1924, in South Bend, Ind., to Noble E. and Mable L. (Wideman) Myers.

He attended school in Berrien Springs and has lived in Niles since 1950.

He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union local #364, driving for Bender Louden Motorfreight and Russom Transfer for a total of 28 years prior to his retirement.

Bob was well-known to area fisherman for his handmade fishing poles from his shop at home. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting in this area and sitting on the front porch to visit with neighbors.

In February of this year, he expressed his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized by the Rev. Louis Staubs of Coulter’s Chapel Church of God in Niles.

On June 24, 1950, in Niles, he married the former Marjorie “Jean” Billett with whom he celebrated last year the 62nd anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Jean Myers, and their children, Vicki (and Mark) Shields and Sandy, of Niles; grandchildren, Brooke (and Tom) Garcia, Autumn (and Kent) Mikel, Blake (and MaryCille) Taylor, and Joshua (and Keshia) Taylor; great-grandchildren Paige, Landon, Ava, Zoey, Sophia, Cannon and Braxton; Bob’s brother, Richard (and Maxine) Myers, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Jean’s sister, Shirley (and Ken) Bowker of Newaygo; and brother, Al Joachim, of South Bend; several nieces and nephews; and a long- time friend, Larry Osborn, of Buchanan.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Myers, and sisters, Lucille Goodman and Margaret Tudor.

The family of Robert Myers will gather privately at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Staubs to share memories of Poppy and honor his faith.

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to Coulter’s Chapel Church of God. www.halbritterfunerals.com