Chris Sands, 62
Born: Dec. 31, 1949
Died: June 17, 2012

Chris A. Sands, 62, of Thomson Road, Niles, died at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2012, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

He was born Dec. 31, 1949, in Niles to Winston and Marilyn (Schrumpf) Sands, and he lived in Niles all his life, graduating from Niles High School.

He had been employed at the electric utility department of the City of Niles, and had also been employed at Alt & Witzig Engineering and Wightman & Associates.

Chris was a musician, playing the guitar for the Cambridge Five rock band.

He enjoyed fishing in Lake Michigan, and camping at Bitely, Mich. He was a fan of the University of Michigan football program, and the NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On June 2, 1979, at Bethel Baptist Church in Niles, he married the former Beverly A. Blasingame, who survives. Also surviving are two sons and a daughter, Chad Sands, of Dowagiac, and Deanna Paolasso and Michael Bair, both of Niles; grandchildren, Caleb, Jarret, Ashleigh, Nate, Meleya and Gavin; and Chris’ brother, Dave (Helen) Sands, of Niles; and their children, Carrie and Mike.

The funeral service for Chris Sands will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 21, at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Randy Pearman, of Bethel Baptist Church, officiating.

Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Chris may be made to the donor’s choice.