Audrey Simanton

Audrey Lorraine Simanton, age 94 of Watervliet, Michigan, formerly of Niles died on Saturday, May 24, 2014 following an extended illness. She was born April 7, 1920 in Belding, Michigan to Alvin W. & Eva (Parks) Aubill. During the depression she and her family moved around (as was of the time) from job to job. To keep the family going, the family ended up in Detroit in the late 1930’s. Audrey graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit in 1940 and was hired by the Willow Run Bomber plant in 1941 as one of the original, “Rosie the Riveters,” building B-24 Liberator bombers until 1946. This afforded her to buy her own Willys MB Jeep. During the war Audrey joined the USO in 1942 as she was always willing to provide a helping hand or sympathetic ear to the soldier and war effort. She had many adventures during these times. After the war she was hired by TWA to decipher ticker tape, living in Saint Louis and then Dayton, Ohio. She also worked for the News Palladium (now Herald Palladium) newspaper as the Watervliet correspondent. On July 3, 1948 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Audrey married Frank L. Simanton, a local farmer, and lived on the Simanton Farm in Watervliet, Michigan. Frank preceded her in death on May 26, 1987. Audrey was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jennifer Carlisle.

Surviving family includes sons David Simanton and Robert Simanton, both of Niles and Frank Simanton, III of Sister Lakes, Michigan, grandsons Matt (& Emily) Simanton of Minnesota, Aaron Simanton of Niles and Frank Simanton, IV of Watervliet and granddaughters, Becky Simanton of Niles, Dr. Wendy (& Pete) Holland of Ohio and Leslie Simanton of Ohio. Audrey is also survived by great-grandchildren, Hanna, Isaac, Sarah and Gabrial, great-granddaughter Hayden, brothers, George Aubill of California and Jack Aubill of West Virginia and a sister, Mary Chambliss of Arkansas.

Funeral services for Audrey Lorraine Simanton will be held at 10:30a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Michiana Christian Embassy in Niles with Pastor Jeffery L. Whittaker of the church officiating. A graveside committal service will be held at 3:00p.m. at Watervliet Cemetery, Michigan later Wednesday.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8:00p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Donations in memory of Audrey may be made to the Michiana Christian Embassy or to Hospice at Home.

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