In Memory
Clifford Ferdinand Montgomery
Feb. 13, 1927 - Mar. 22, 2014
Clifford F. Montgomery, age 87 years of Niles, Michigan died at 2:25 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Saint Joseph, Michigan following an extended illness.
He was born on February 13, 1927 in Saint Johns, Ohio to the Rev. Wilder and Clara Elizabeth (Papenbroch) Montgomery. He was graduated from South Bend Adams High School in 1945, and enlisted in the United States Army, returning as a veteran of World War II. He was a certified automobile mechanic, working first at Joe Hayden's Ford, and then owning and operating Niles Auto Clinic at Lincoln and Grant Streets in Niles. He has continued in retirement as Cliff's.
Cliff was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for more than sixty-four years. At church, he served on many boards, sang in the choir, and provided beautiful tenor vocal solos for many weddings and funerals. He also sang in the South Bend Symphonic Choir. He enjoyed photography – usually focused on nature – and traveling throughout the United States and a few foreign destinations. He greatest joy was his family.
On August 16, 1952 at the former First Evangelical United Brethren Church (now Grace United Methodist) he married the former B. Margaret Mead with whom he celebrated the fifty-first anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on June 27, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Homer, Cloyd, Otis, and the Rev. Howard Montgomery.
Surviving family includes a daughter, Pam Montgomery of Niles and sons, Mark Montgomery of Benton Harbor, Michigan and Kerry (& Cathy) Montgomery of Canton, Michigan; grandchildren Megan (& Bryan) Gruizenga, and Katelyn Montgomery; a great-grandson, Alex Gruizenga; many nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Bill Gee.
The funeral service for Clifford Montgomery will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2014 at Grace United Methodist Church with Dr. Anthony Tomasino of Grace Church officiating. Committal will follow at Mission Hills, and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Cliff may be made to Grace United Methodist Church; or – in memory of Margaret's final illness – to the Alzheimer's Association.
09/22/2022 DEC
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