Clifton W. “Cliff” Amiel, 83, former longtime resident of Morris Drive, in Niles, was called to his eternal home at 8:40 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011 from his home on Nieb Street, Niles with his family gathered around, following a long battle with cancer.

He was born on June 8, 1928 in Summitville, Tenn. to Jim and Minnie (Rogers) Amiel and came to Buchanan in 1944 where he graduated from high school in 1947.

Following a brief employment at Clark Equipment, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Coral Sea and U.S.S. Roosevelt and was discharged as a veteran of the Korean conflict.

Cliff was employed for several years at the former McLaughlin’s DX service station and with Kenny McLaughlin, Pepper Martin, Ed Coquillard and several others he organized the Howard Township Little League.

In 1960 he was hired by the U.S. Postal Service and served as interim postmaster in several area branches before retiring in 1986 as assistant postmaster to the Niles Post Office. In retirement, he worked at the Signal Point Country Club for eight years.

He was currently a member of Calvary Baptist Church, South Bend and was previously a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Niles, where he held several offices.

In addition to his efforts with the little league, he also served on the Howard Township Fire Department and the Morris Farms Volunteer Fire Department and served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing with his brothers and gardening and yard work at home.

On Dec. 27, 1952 in Buchanan, he married the former Dolores Tucker, who has been the love of his life for 58 years.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores “Dee” Amiel; their son Alan (Sherry) Amiel of Niles; grandchildren Kristin (David) Bertsch of Mogador, Ohio and Mary Beth Amiel of South Bend; great-grandchildren Samuel and Isabelle; several nieces and nephews and a large group of cousins in Tennessee, whom he enjoyed visiting.

Cliff was preceded in death by seven siblings and their spouses; Magdalene (George) Wilson, J.B. (Belle) Amiel, Jerome (Phyllis) Amiel, Jennie (Frank) Kudelka, Ann (Robert) Jurgel, Jack Amiel and U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Amiel who died in World War II in France.

The funeral service for Cliff Amiel will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Calvary Baptist Church in South Bend, with the Rev. Reed Anderstrom officiating.

Committal will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles and will conclude with the veteran’s flag presentation and taps by an honor guard of the U.S. Navy.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory to Cliff may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church or to Hospice at Home, Buchanan.

Cliff’s family remembers him as a loving husband, father and friend and as being loved by all. They are grateful for the care that was provided to him and his family by Dr. David Taber, Dr. Brian Sucharetza, Dr. Paul Detrisac, Hospice at Home and their neighbor, Judy Mooney.