June 29, 1918 — July 17, 2014

Earl D. Weaver, 96, of Niles, died at 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2014, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on June 29, 1918, in Mishawaka, Indiana to Earl D. and Hildred (O’Blenis) Weaver. He was first employed at South Bend Tool & Die, and then at the R&M Machine Shop in Niles. He was retired from the National-Standard Corporation after 28 years of service. He has continued his education over the years, and had earned an Associates Degree from Southwestern Michigan College, and a Bachelors Degree from Indiana University.

Earl was a member of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles, and the former City Club of Niles. He had been an active member of the Southwestern Michigan Running Club, and had participated in the annual Steve’s Run in Dowagiac for the Steven Briegel Scholarship Fund. He volunteered with the Pawating Auxiliary at Lakeland Community Hospital, and was a tax preparation volunteer at the Niles Senior Center. He enjoyed the fellowship of a bridge club, and golfing at Hampshire Country Club in Dowagiac.

On Nov. 30, 1940, in Dowagiac he married the former Adelia A. Leitke with whom he celebrated last year the 73rd anniversary of their wedding.

They experienced the death of their son, Staff Sergeant Jerry M. Weaver, U.S.Army while serving as a Green Beret during his second tour of duty in Viet Nam on July 16, 1970. They were also preceded in death by their daughter, Linda MacKay in 2007 and by Earl’s siblings, Carol Crawlman, Robert Weaver, Connie Ullrey, and Don Weaver.

Surviving family includes grandchildren Bryan (Amy) MacKay, Gregory (Regina) MacKay, and Todd MacKay; great-grandchildren Catherine, David, triplets Matthew, Christopher, and Meghan, and Tyler; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Earl D. Weaver will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2014, at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles with the Rev. Carl W. Bassett of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday at the church. Contributions in memory of Mr. Weaver may be made to Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com