Robert Myers

Robert Leroy “Poppy” Myers, age 88 years of Niles, Michigan died at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2013 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on July 23, 1924 in South Bend, Indiana to Noble E. and Mable L. (Wideman) Myers. He attended school in Berrien Springs, Michigan and has lived in Niles since 1950. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union local #364, driving for Bender Louden Motorfreight and Russom Transfer for a total of twenty-eight years prior to his retirement.

Bob was well-known to area fisherman for his hand-made fishing poles from his shop at home. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting in this area, and sitting on the front porch to visit with neighbors. In February of this year, he expressed his faith in Jesus Christ, and was baptized by the Rev. Louis Staubs of Coulter’s Chapel Church of God in Niles.

On June 24, 1950 in Niles he married the former Marjorie “Jean” Billett with whom he celebrated last year the sixty-second anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes his wife, Jean Myers and their children, Vicki (& Mark) Shields and Sandy (& Todd) Taylor, both of Niles; grandchildren Brooke (& Tom) Garcia, Autumn (& Kent) Mikel, Blake (& MaryCille) Taylor, and Joshua (& Keshia) Taylor; great-grandchildren Paige, Landon, Ava, Zoey, Sophia, Cannon, and Braxton; Bob’s brother, Richard (& Maxine) Myers of Indianapolis, Indiana; Jean’s sister, Shirley (& Ken) Bowker of Newaygo, Michigan and brother, Al Joachim of South Bend; several nieces and nephews; and a long-time friend, Larry Osborn of Buchanan, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Myers and sisters, Lucille Goodman and Margaret Tudor.

The family of Robert Myers will gather privately at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Rev. Staubs to share memories of Poppy and honor his faith. Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to Coulter’s Chapel Church of God.

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