Feb. 10, 1935 — March 16, 2019

George M. Holmes, 84, of Niles, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 16, 2019, after a recent cancer diagnosis.

George was born on Feb. 10, 1935, to the late George I. and Dorthea (Massey) Holmes in Hawesville, Kentucky.

He graduated in 1951 from the single room school on Bell Road, in Niles.

George proudly served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and then the U.S. Navy. George married the former Sharon S. Toth on Oct. 30, 1993, in South Bend.

He was a “jack of all trades.” He owned and operated a mechanic shop, he was a carpenter, an electrician, a plumber, and for many years he was a truck driver. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, riding his Harley Davidson, a good cold beer on occasion and time spent with his dog Jake, who was almost always by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, JoAnn Holmes; a brother, John Holmes; a sister, Barbie Holmes; a daughter, Vanessa Fry, a son, Michael Gaertner; and a grandson Christopher Moore.

George is survived by his wife, Sharon Holmes, of Niles; his children, George (Zena) Holmes, of Illinois; Vernon Holmes, of Tennessee; Vincenza (Ron) Ferguson, of Michigan; Roger (Barb) Holmes, of Germany; Peggy (Chris) Moore, of Florida; Jordan Holmes, of Michigan and Amanda (Luis) Sotomayor, of Florida; 16 grandchildren, 11 great-granchildren; siblings, Alice (Lynn) Murdock, Bob Holmes, Gary (Carol) Holmes, Bruce (Carol) Holmes, Bonnie Holmes, Colleen Kimbrell and Brenda Aikens.

Memorial contributions in his memory can be made to the Niles/Buchanan Relay for Life.

Funeral services will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main St., Niles. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Military honors will be rendered at the beginning of the funeral service.

Condolences, photos, and memories may be left for the family at BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com

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