Robert C. McKee, Sr., 88, of Greendale Ave. in Niles, died at 7:10 a.m. Friday, June 10, 2011 at Jordan’s Life Care Center in Bridgman, following an extended illness.

He was born on April 10, 1923 in Chalmers, Ind. to Thomas Jefferson and Elizabeth Barbara (Bergent) McKee. He graduated from high school in South Bend and later moved to Niles in 1963.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army and was a member of the American Legion Post #26 in Niles.

Bob owned and operated his truck, hauling steel for Transamerican Freight Lines of Detroit and drove for Consolidated Freightways of Menlo Park, Calif. He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local #142 in Gary, Ind., retiring in 1982. He then went to work at Pete’s Southside Marathon in Niles for 18 years.

He was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church in niles and a former member of the Knights of Columbus #708.
On Aug. 10, 1945 in South Bend, he married the former Jean A. Garrison, who preceded him in death on Nov. 2, 2009.

He is survived by their son, Robert C. (Gail) McKee, Jr. of St. Joseph, Mich.; grandchildren Amanda Mollison and Anthony McKee; step-grandchildren Paul, Adam and Mark Miller; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Harold W. and Tommy Joe McKee and sister Bernadine C. Jones.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Robert C. McKee, Sr. will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2011 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bridgman by the Rev. Arthur Howard of the parish.

Committal Rites will follow at Riverside Cemetery in South Bend.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.
Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the Patient Activity Fund at Jordan’s Nursing Home or to Hospice at Home.

Arrangements were handled by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.