June 29, 1938 — Dec. 3, 2013

Eddie Ray Lee, age 75 years, of Niles, Mich. died on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. He was born June 29, 1938 in South Bend to Oren & Dorothy (Vandygriff) Lee.

Eddie worked for Wheelabrator-Frye Incorporated in Mishawaka for 23 years and as a returning student, graduated from Niles High School in 1977. Eddie then retired from South Bend Medical Foundation after many years of service. He and his wife attended St. Mark Catholic Church in Niles. Eddie enjoyed farming, was an avid hunter and fisherman and owned his own, “Lee’s Bait & Tackle” store in Niles.

In 1957, in South Bend, Eddie married the former Helen Kreskai, who survives along with sons John (Erika) Lee of Cassopolis, Jeffrey Lee of Niles and Kenneth (Heather) Lee of South Bend. Also surviving are grandchildren, John Tyler, Brittany, Hillary, Bradley, Megan, Josh, Shelby, Elizabeth, Gavin, Maddison, Ashley and Calvin, great-grandchildren, John Tyler, Jr., Mercy, Kaydence, Peyton, Alex, Amanda and Lukas, a brother, John (Chris) Vandygriff of South Bend, a sister, Shirley (Karl) Higginbotham, of South Bend, and nieces Jackie (Jim) Debow and Maria Mejer, of South Bend.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jim, sister, Wilma, and his beloved son Edward.

A Memorial Service for Eddie Ray Lee will be at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Cathi Huvaere of Wesley United Methodist Church, officiating. Committal will follow at Adamsville Cemetery in Adamsville, Michigan.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Donations in memory of Eddie may be made to the organization of choice.

www.halbritterfunerals.com

The Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.