Aug. 25, 1930 — May 16, 2014

Kenneth James Farmer, 83, of Niles, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2014.

Born Aug. 25, 1930, he was the son of the late William M. Farmer and Helen J. (Grodey) Farmer. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorthy P. (Sibson) Farmer; children Daniel Farmer of Attica, Michigan; Janet (Don) Frisz of Scottsburg, Indiana and Mark (Shelby) Farmer of Niles; grandchildren Jessica Frisz of Fremont, Califronia, Christopher Frisz of Boston, Massachusetts, Morgan (Taylor) Frend of Niles, and Matthew Farmer of Niles. He is also survived by his siblings Ralph (Gertie) Farmer of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Mary M. (Cliff) Poehlman of Cassopolis, Michigan, and John (Anne) Farmer of Milan, Michigan.

Ken was a member of the Cass County Happy Clovers 4H Club and Junior Farm Bureau. He got his driver’s license at the age of 13. He attended Niles High School and was a member of the track team. He graduated in 1947.

He grew up listening to The Grand Ole Opry and was a lifelong fan of country and western music and bluegrass.

He supported his family through various combinations of farming for himself and others, as well as working for most of his life as a machinist and toolmaker at various tool and die shops, including Tylers, Rudy Furnace Company, Advance Engineering, Henco Enterprises, Delta Machining and Empire Machine.

He and Dorthy shared a love of draft and saddle horses, and his lifelong goal was to farm on a small scale with horses.

Ken had a deep faith in God and served others relentlessly. He was an elder of the Church of God in Dunlap, Indiana. He also organized a Cass County “Reminisce” group, which met monthly at the Cass County Council on Aging.

Perhaps he will be best remembered for his outgoing personality and gregariousness. His ability to strike up a conversation with total strangers and win their friendship was amazing. He was happiest whenever he discovered some connection — however remote — to the family or to other people that he knew and to bring them together.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014, at the Jefferson Township Hall, 24725 Jefferson Center Street, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for Kenneth’s family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.