May 16, 1930 — Oct. 28, 2015

Harry A. Roberts, 85, of Niles, Michigan died at 10:08 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, at Oak Crest Adult Foster Care in Niles.

He was born on May 16, 1930, in Dayton, Michigan to William J. and Abbie Ellen (Stephenson) Roberts. He attended Niles Community Schools, and was hired by the Berrien County Road Commission in 1946. In 1951, he joined the United States Army, served in the Corps of Engineers on foreign posts as a Corporal, and was discharged to the Enlisted Reserve Corps as an Honorable Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He returned to Niles, and continued his career with the Road Commission, retiring after 35 years of service.

Harry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Niles. He was a Past Commander of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles, and had been the Flag Presenter at the funerals of local military veterans for many years. He was also a member of the Saint Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge #4, F. & A.M., the Niles Commandery #12, Knights Templar, the Loyal Order of Moose #978 in Niles, and the B.P.O. of Niles Elks #1322.

He was first married to Maudie Smith. Later, on Jan. 23, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada he married the former Helen C. (Babcock) Klute who preceded him in death on July 18, 2000. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Marie Tokarski, Margaret Shields, Ethel “Sally” Thomas, Berniece Searles, and Gladys Brown; and brothers, Bernard Roberts, Jack Roberts, and Paul Roberts.

Surviving family includes his children, Don (Leslie) Roberts of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Andrew Roberts and Tom Roberts, both of Niles, Ginger Mike) Plysko of Pontiac, Michigan, and Darla (Floyd) Walls and Vicky Papczynski, both of Niles; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and Harry’s brother, Cecil (Millie) Roberts and sister, Evelyn Jasper, both of Niles; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Harry Roberts will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Janet Van Lear, retired of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. The service will conclude outside the funeral home with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan. Committal will be private, at a later date, at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.