Michael Wetmore
April 23, 1929 — July 24, 2016
Michael G. Wetmore, age 87 years, formerly of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 3:48 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2016 with family gathered around his bed at his home in South Bend, Indiana following a brief illness.
He was born on April 23, 1929 in Niles to Joseph A. and Mary Magdalene (Farrell) Wetmore. He attended Niles Community Schools, and enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged as a Veteran of the Korean Conflict, and began a career of over thirty years with the Garden City Fan Company of Niles.
Mike was a member of Saint Adalbert Catholic Church in South Bend, the American Legion Post #284, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9820 where he also served on the Honor Guard. In Niles, he was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Father Allouez Council #708 where he had earned the Fourth Degree, and the West Side Notre Dame Fan Club. He enjoyed shuffleboard, bowling, fishing, golfing, playing euchre, and vacationing with his brothers. He had a great reputation in the kitchen, especially baking, and his homemade Christmas cookie assortment was a highly prized gift. His greatest joy was his family, for whom he would do anything.
He was married for thirty years to the former Louise Mesaros, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a longtime companion, Niadah Havener, his parents, and seven brothers and four sisters, Adelbert, Raymond, William, Francis, David, Edward, Joseph, Sr. Margaret Ann Wetmore, SSJ, Patricia Groth, Anna Finch, and Rita Wetmore.
Surviving family includes three sisters, Mary Chapman of South Bend, and Eulalia (& Frank) Joo and Catherine (& Robert) Herrmann, both of Niles; a sister-in-law. Nancy (Mrs. Edward) Wetmore; many nieces and nephews including Charles Wetmore who provided his care; and a great circle of wonderful friends and neighbors.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Mike Wetmore will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 211 South Lincoln Avenue, Niles by the Rev. Christian Johnston of the parish. Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and VFW Post #9820.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Halbritter Funeral Home with Evening Vespers at 5:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Mike may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church.