Alton Wells

Alton Thomas “Al” Wells, age 93 of Philip Road in Niles, Michigan died at 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 11, 2013 at his home of natural causes.

He was born on September 28, 1919 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana to Oscar Mumford and Willie Viola (Harper) Wells. He was raised in the Bethel Congregational Methodist Church, and was graduated from high school in Louisiana. He attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana at Natchitoches where he studied veterinary medicine. He first entered military service through the United States Marine Corps, and later, during World War II, served in the United States Army Air Corps as a flight instructor in Florida. He came to Niles in 1948, owning and operating the Wells Construction Company specializing in residential and commercial buildings.

Al was a member of the former Pokagon Lodge #136, F. & A.M., and currently a member of the Grand Master’s Lodge of Michigan. He enjoyed nature and outdoor activities including gardening, hunting, and harvesting timber for lumber production.

On December 31, 1942 in Sebring, Florida he married the former Lorraine Viola Geisler with whom he celebrated the sixty-fifth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on May 7, 2008. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ray Wells, and sister, Grace Strong.

Surviving family includes their daughters, Kaye Wells of Saint Simons Island in Georgia and JoAnn (& Jack) Mann of Lake Wylie, South Carolina; grandchildren, Steve (& Tanya) Yonker, Brett (& Mica) Yonker, and Danielle (& David) Bowman; great-grandchildren, Kara, Kayla, Kailyn, and Kyleigh Yonker; and Al’s sister, Frances (& Ruffin) Gray of Katy, Texas and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Alton Wells will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with The Reverend Carlton Kelley of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Dowagiac officiating, assisted by Mr. Larry Neumann, a friend of the family. Committal will follow at the Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale, Michigan and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard, and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home, with Masonic Rites at 7:30 p.m. by the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge #4, F. & A.M. Contributions in memory of Al may be made to the Saint Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 7:30 p.m. at Halbritter Funeral Home

Thursday January 17, 2013 at Spring Run Cemetery