Oct. 18, 1940 — Dec. 9, 2017

Lawrence Eugene Simpson, 77, of Niles, died at 11:16 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, following an extended illness.

He was born on Oct. 18, 1940, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Joseph and Marie (Anderson) Simpson. He attended school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in La Paz, Indiana, and served in the U.S. Navy during peacetime.

He was a member of the Ironworkers Union Local #292 in South Bend, working on and supervising many area projects including the dam at Potato Creek, Memorial Hospital, and the Cook Nuclear Plant. He lived in Niles since 2001.

Larry was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He had a great interest in history especially in Indian Archaeology, where he earned a high listing in an edition of the “Who’s Who of Indian Relics.” He shared that interest and knowledge with the Fort Saint Joseph Museum, and at the fort excavation.

He also had an interest in antiques, historic firearms, sport collectables and had a collection of remarkable duck decoys. He was an early participant at the Shipshewana (Indiana) Auction and Flea Market, holding its #11 auction paddle.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was certified as a master angler and master trapper.

On June 10, 1967, in Plymouth, Indiana, he married the former Barbara J. (Phillips) Vaughn with whom he celebrated the 45th anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Dec. 2, 2012.

Surviving family includes his daughter, Lisa (William) Bidlack of Granger, Indiana and granddaughters Amanda and Allison; Barb’s children, Debbie (Tom) Plummer of Windsor, Colorado and Mark (Sherri) Vaughn of Elkhart, Indiana and grandchildren Nicki, Drew, and Kyle; and Larry’s sisters, Nancy (Jess) Ayers of Milford, Indiana, Judy (Doug) Brumley of La Paz, Janet Maze of Norman, Oklahoma, and Jo Ellen Powell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Lawrence Simpson will gather privately to share memories and honor his life. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, Indiana.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Online condolences may be left at halbritterwickens.com.