Oct. 1, 1929 — May 2, 2018

J. Kent Dibble of Niles, passed away at Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

Kent was born on Oct. 1, 1929, in South Bend to the late Jacob and Pearl (Gall) Dibble, the youngest of six children.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Bea, Jacob, Richard, Barbara and a daughter Sandy Dibble.

On April 9, 1983, Kent married Nancy O’Brien. Together they celebrated 35 years of marriage. Together they had a wonderful life and traveled all over the country. They took several long and special trips to Alaska.

Nancy survives along with children; Mike Wardlow, Cindy (Bob) Brown, Jerry (Cindy) Dibble, Dan (Jenna) Dibble, Sr., Charlene (Virgil) Reyes, Stephanie (Jeff) Draper, Michele (Tom) McCauley, Thomas (Liz) Ball, his brother James Dibble, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

When he was 17, Kent joined the United States Marine Corps. As a civilian, he was a Heavy Equipment Operator for many years working in all parts of the country. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2284 in Edwardsburg and the American Legion Post 365 for over 44 years. Kent was also an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094, the Moose Lodge 978 and a lifetime member of Local 150 IUOE.

Visitation for Kent will be held on from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home 615 E. Main St. Niles. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 7 in the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Edwardsburg Cemetery.

Memorials in Kent’s name may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100. Kalamazoo, MI 49008, or the VFW 69949 M-62, Edwardsburg, MI or American Legion 25751 US-12 Edwardsburg, MI 49120.

Online condolences for the family may be made at halbritterwickens.com.