Richard E. Farrell

Dec. 15, 1913 - July 12, 2007
NILES - Mr. Richard E. Farrell, 93, of East Main Street, died at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, July 12, in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, South Bend, following a brief illness. Mr. Farrell was born on December 15, 1913, in Grand Rapids, MI, to Fred buckle and Letha Millard. He was later adopted and was raised in Hartford, MI, graduating from Hartford High School. He came to Niles in the 1940s, and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was a machinist, working in several area shops, and then owning and operating his own. He also owned and operated gasoline service stations in Niles. Mr. Farrell was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, South Bend, a member of the American Legion Post #26 and the B.P.O. of Niles Elks Lodge #1322, both in Niles, and the Loyal Order of Moose #449, Buchanan, MI. He was an active sportsman all of his life, golfing and bowling in area leagues. He also played for and assisted in managing minor league teams of the Chicago Clubs, and the House of David. An article and photograph about Mr. Farrell was published in the July 1989 issue of Sports Illustrated. He remained a fan of the Cubs all of his life. He was first married to the former Ethel Lillian Moser. Later, on May 21, 1977, in Niles, he married the former Margaret V. (Huse) Heiermann, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters and a son, Jacki Bonebright of Kalamazoo, Jo Ann Farrell of Stockbridge, MI, Richard E. Farrell of Los Angeles, CA, and Margo (Ed) MacGregor of Stillwater, OK; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, John Heiermann in 2002, and by two brothers, Robert Farrell and Robert Harvey; and a sister, Geri Fike. The funeral service for Mr. Richard F. Farrell will be at 2 p.m. Monday, July 16, in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with Pastor Karen Brugler of Westminster Presbyterian Church, South Bend, officiating, assisted by Pastor Barbara Wirt of South Bend. Committal services will follow at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the veteran's Flag Presentation and "Taps" by American Legion Post #26, Niles. The family will receive relatives and friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home, with rites by the Elks Lodge at 7:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Richard Farrell may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service.