July 14, 1944 — March 29, 2015

John C. Holmes, 70, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital in Niles after a short illness.

John was born on July 14, 1944, to George and Dorothea Lee (Massie) Holmes. John worked at Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles where he met Ernestine (Endres) King and the two wed at a ceremony on April 2, 1977, in Buchanan. John loved the outdoors and was an avid family man who loved hunting and fishing. John was also a known jokester who loved making people laugh, loved telling jokes and was a man of strong faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ernestine, in November of 2014 and infant sister Barbara Lee Holmes.

He is survived by his children Tina Holmes of Spencer, Indiana, John (Chrissy) Holmes of Mishawaka, Indiana, Julie (Jason) Goodman of Columbia, Tennessee, Kirk King of Topeka, Kansas and Jan (Joe) Huse of Rowlett, Texas, 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren and siblings Alice (Lynn) Murdock of St. Joseph, Michigan, George Holmes of Niles, Robert (Dora) Holmes of Niles, Gary (Carolyn) Holmes of Niles, Bonnie Hazelbaker of Hooks, Texas, Bruce (Carolyn) Holmes of Niles, Colleen Kimbrell of Niles and Brenda Eakins of Mishawaka, Indiana.

A memorial service to honor John’s life will be held on Friday, April 3, 2015, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo of John or send their condolences may do so at our website at

www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.