Nelson Brock

Nelson Lloyd Brock, age 71 years of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, motorcycle builder, jeweler, and friend died peacefully at 2:10 p.m. at his home following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on August 12, 1949 in Monroe, Michigan to Walter and Vena Irene (Haley) Brock.  Throughout his life, he has lived in South Bend, Indiana and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but lived in Niles most of his life.  He was an independent mechanic and custom fabricator of Harley Davidson motorcycles.

“Brock” or “Spike” – but never, ever “Nelson” – was as creative at the jeweler’s bench as he was at the motorcycle shop.  He could craft gold and other precious metals into wonderful rings, bracelets, and pendants, setting in those pieces diamonds and other stones.  He enjoyed creating jewelry for others, but his own hands also showed jewelry from his shop.

He was a familiar sight around Niles riding his custom design moped with saddlebags, rings on his fingers, sometimes en-route to a discount dollar store, but more likely on his way to Pizza Hut or clear across town to Saylor’s Pizza for his favorite spaghetti.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Walter “Butch” Brock.  He was previously married to Valerie J. Smith.

Surviving family includes his daughters, Amy (& Charles) Barnes of Edwardsburg, Michigan and Tiffany Brock of South Bend; grandchildren Valerie Jane Brock, Kaylee Barnes, and Charles Barnes; his sisters, Sundy Corbett, Carrie Brock, and Judith Stevenson; several nieces and nephews; and his companion and caregiver, Sharon Schramm.

The family of Nelson Brock will gather privately with the Rev. Nathanael Lyon of Hope Community Church in Niles to share memories and honor his life. Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

In the same way that Spike took motorcycle frames or precious metal and rearranged them to his style, he took life and arranged it to his style,   He moved to Florida as a very young man, gleaning local produce for sustenance (never again eating oranges), and came back north to find success.  Some people liked his designs, and some were critics – in jewelry, 'cycles, and life.  But he persevered, and was loved by those who knew him best.