Capt. Ret'D.
August 18, 1918 — March 26, 2017
He was born on August 18, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan to Floyd William and Gertrude Louise (Exner) Felden, Sr. He was graduated from Niles High School, and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the former Chicago (Illinois) Technical College. He began his career at the former Buchanan offices of Clark Equipment Company, but after a few years volunteered for the war effort by enlisting in the United States Army Air Force. He was sent to the Technical Training Command at Yale University, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He moved from aircraft maintenance to design and development, and completed his active duty as a 1st Lieutenant, and a Veteran of World War II. His service continued in the Reserves, from which he earned the rank of Captain, and eventually retired.
Bill returned to Clark Equipment, moving from plant engineering and maintenance, to property acquisition and development. He continued his education to help keep the plants and operations at the leading edge of technology, and was promoted to the Corporate Manager of Properties. As governmental oversight began to impact the manufacturing environment, he took on the responsibility for compliance, adding safety and security to his title. He retired after thirty years of participating in the successful international expansion of Clark Equipment.
In retirement, he served as a consultant, and continued his interest and memberships in many state and national safety and professional associations. He also enjoyed using his management and engineering skills on a much smaller scale, overseeing the family farm, and maintaining its much smaller equipment.
He was a life member of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles where he served as trustee, elder, and usher. He was also a member of the B.P.O.of Niles Elks #1322, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #95 in Niles, the Retired Military Officers Association, the Greater Four Flags Chamber of Commerce, and had volunteered as a community representative to Lake Michigan College. He had been a member of the former Pickwick Club in Niles, and the former Summit Club in South Bend. More recently, he enjoyed fellowship over coffee at Martin’s, often at the head of the table, discussing and offering solutions to the world’s problems.
On June 25, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church he married the former Allene Jeanette Weller with whom he celebrated last year the remarkable Seventy-Second Anniversary of their wedding.
Surviving family includes his wife, Allene Felden and their daughter, Jane (& Thomas, Ph.D.) Jeltes of Ada, Michigan; a granddaughter, Sarah Jane Jeltes of Dade City, Florida, Bill’s sister-in-law, Mary (Mrs. Richard) Felden of Barrington, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Felden, Sr. and Gertrude (& Harley) Garland; and by his brothers, George D. Felden and Richard L. Felden.
The funeral service for William Felden, Jr. will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence officiating assisted by the Rev. Raymond Fulbright of Saint John’s United Church of Christ in Niles. Committal will follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with the Full Military Honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Mr. Felden may be made to The Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth Street, Niles, Michigan 49120, or to the Heartland Hospice Services, 8075 Creekside Drive, Suite 120, Portage, Michigan 49024.