Ed Green

Edward Lee Green, age 80 years of Niles, Michigan, brother, uncle, handyman, outdoorsman, and friend died peacefully at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022 with his nephew at his side at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on April 26, 1942 in Niles to George and Barbara (Hibbard) Hanes, but was raised by Barbara’s sister and her husband, Bessie L. and David D. Green who later adopted him.  He was a talented handyman, proficient in small engine repair, and was employed for several years at Briar Crest Townhouses in property management.  He lived most of his life on the family homestead on Platt Street, but as his health declined he moved to the apartments of the Niles Housing Commission, who welcomed him as a neighbor, friend, and valued tenant.

Eddie enjoyed the outdoors, and was often seen walking or riding his bicycle from the westside to downtown Niles, visiting with old and new friends along the way.  He was also a familiar sight at the edge of the Saint Joseph River where he enjoyed fishing.  At home, he was a great cook, capable of a wide variety of dishes, but best known for his bean soup and for his homemade sauerkraut.  He was quite a fan of the old westerns, and visitors would find those movies running on the television set whether anyone was watching or not.

As a younger man, in the winter Eddie maintained an ice rink on the front of the homestead, welcoming neighborhood children, and keeping a warming fire burning.  Very few of those skaters realized that he quietly spent the nights renewing the ice surface with buckets of water that he drew from a nearby cistern.

On September 24, 1982 at the Niles Salvation Army he married the former Linda J. Seward with whom he celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on November 24, 2006.  He was also preceded in death by his natural parents and adoptive parents, and by his brother-in-law, Floyd Hojara.

Surviving family includes his siblings, Carol “Sally” Hojara of Niles, Barbara Ann “Cassie” Duca of South Bend, Indiana, and another sister, Rose and a brother, John.  Also surviving are many nieces and nephews including Ron (& Margie) Hojara who – along with Sally – helped Eddie to maintain his independence.  Ed will also be missed by his longtime friend, Patty.

The family and friends of Eddie Green will gather at his graveside in Silverbrook Cemetery on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 to honor his life and share some memories.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

While Eddie enjoyed solitary activities such as fishing and walking, and was a hard and dedicated worker rebuilding engines and resurfacing the ice rink, his best times were caring for people, neighbors and family, and Linda and Patty.