Arthur Nickel

Arthur Nickel, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00A.M., Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Ave., St. Joseph, with Rev. Paul Koehneke and Rev. Franz Brandenburg officiating. He will be laid to rest in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, with Military Honors. Visitation with the family will be Monday evening, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to either the American Heart Association or to the church. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arthur was born on November 22, 1918, in Siberia, Russia. He was one of 5 children born to Gustav and Julia Nickel. On September 9, 1941, he married Shirley Spitzer in Bridgman. Together they had two children, Donna and Bill. Arthur proudly served his country during WWII and was active in American Legion Bridgman Post #331. Arthur retired after many years as a Tool and Die Maker from Modern Plastics. In his pastime, he had a passion for bowling. He also loved gardening and “taking pride in his yard.” Arthur enjoyed spending time with his special friends and with his dog Daisy. Above all, he enjoyed time spent with his family and particularly with his great-grandchildren. Arthur is survived by his children, Donna (Dwight) Hays of Watervliet and Bill Nickel of Florida; 4 grandchildren, Dawn (Robert) Slocum, David (Teri) Hays, Darin (Sarah) Hays, and Deborah (Rodney) Reese; great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Autum, Courtney, MyKayla, Dustin, Devin, Cheyanne, and MacKenzie; sisters, Erica Schrag and Dora Gallis, both of St. Joseph, and Elsie Branom of Las Vegas, NV; his special dog, Daisy; and by his numerous friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and by his brother, Arnold Nickel.