Submitted by: John C. Monk

Nick Michels July 4, 1924 - Feb. 5, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Nick Michels, 84, of South Bend, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Hospice House of South Bend, after an extended illness. Mr. Michels was born on July 4, 1924 in Romania to the late Peter and Kathi Michels. Nick was the oldest of four children. Nick came to the United States at the age of four, in 1928. He graduated from Central High School in 1943, at which time he enlisted in the United States Army. Nick was honorably discharged from the United States Headquarters Company of the Army Corps of Engineers in 1946. He then became a United States Citizen. Nick was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church. Nick was married to Esther Lois McCuen on March 3, 1946 in South Bend. Nick and Esther lived in South Bend, Mishawaka and Indian Lake, in Dowagiac, Michigan. They also lived in Florida for 22 years. They were both quite active in church work. Nick worked for the South Bend Lathe Works before working for the South Bend Tribune for about twenty years. They then moved to Florida. Their son, Terry Dale Michels preceded Nick in death January 14, 1991, at which time they moved back to South Bend, to be closer to their daughter-in-law, Barbara Michels (Hill), and their two grandsons, Douglas Michels and Christopher Michels, and one great-granddaughter Haleigh Michels, she was the pride and joy of his life. Friends may visit with the family at 10 to 11 am on Saturday, February 7th in the Lighthouse Baptist Church. Funeral services celebrating Nick's life will be held at 11 am in the church, with Pastor Alan Lickfieldt officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in the St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, IN. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either Lighthouse Baptist Church, 3050 Edison Rd., South Bend, Indiana 46615 or The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, Indiana 46637. Bubb Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Published in the South Bend Tribune on 2/6/2009