Vera Brazel

Vera A. Brazel, age 96 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 2:10 a.m. on Monday, March 13, 2017 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Nurses and staff of West Woods for the excellent care provided to Vera during the three years she resided with them.

She was born on January 9, 1921 in Leachville, Arkansas to Harvey N. and Mollie (M c Pherson) Amason. She attended school in Leachville, and moved in 1938 with her family to Niles. Her first job after coming to the Niles area was in the operating room of the former Berrien General Hospital in Berrien Center, Michigan. She was later employed at the former Niles plant of the Simplicity Pattern Company.

Vera was a member for many years of the former First Assembly of God in Niles (now Michiana Christian Embassy) where she had taught Sunday School and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Council. More recently, she has been attending the Summit Church in Niles. She enjoyed reading, camping with her family “up-north” at Kalkaska, and sharing her home as a regular meeting place which usually involved cooking for a group who were often busy playing dominoes.

On March 15, 1942 in Dowagiac, Michigan she married Richard W. Brazel with whom she celebrated the Fifty-fifth anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on December 9, 1997. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Ruby Logan and Beatrice Schlutt, and brother, Willie Amason. She is survived by her sister June Crose of Sunnyvale, California

Surviving family also includes her daughter, Patricia (& Bruce) Asbury of Niles; grandchildren Sandra (& Brian) Gall and Marcia (& Gary) Hendry; great-grandchildren Nicole (& Nick) Tall, Nathan (& Amber) Gall, Neil (& Malary) Gall, Alana and Evie Strauss, and Wyatt and Garrett Hendry; five great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Vera Brazel will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Andy Lauer of South Bend First Church of the Nazarene officiating. Committal will follow at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home beginning one hour prior to the funeral. Contributions in memory of Vera may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Friday March 17, 2017, 2:00 PM at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home

Friday March 17, 2017, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home