NILES — Cleatius James Gouldman, 86, of Niles, passed away at noon on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center at Fort Custer in Battle Creek.

After only a fourth grade education and cotton picking, mule farming, fishing, hunting and building dams to create Lake of the Ozarks of Missouri, Cleatius joined the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II

He was the tail gunner against the suicide pilots of Japan, saving the Intrepid aircraft carrier that is now a museum in New York City.

He retired after 36 years from National-Standard.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, Nov. 13, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made in Cleatius’ memory to the Boy Scouts of America in honor of the Eagle Scout he created in his son.