Submitted by: Dan Rich

Lucien M. Niemier

Jan. 22, 1913 - April 27, 2000

South Bend Tribune 4/30/2000

Lucien M. "Chauncey" Niemier, 87, of South Bend, Ind., passed away at 11:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, in the St. Joseph Care Center-West. He had suffered with Alzheimer's disease for a number of years. Mr. Niemier was born on Jan. 22, 1913, in South Bend. He retired on June 30, 1975, from the Bendix Corporation.

On April 6, 1940, in Holy Cross Church, he married Mildred K. Johnsen, who died on Nov. 10, 1988. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Horvath on Oct. 26, 1995; and by two brothers, Ernest B. Niemier on May 12, 1980, and Bernard Niemier on Jan. 1, 1984. He is survived by a daughter, Mary "Mitzi" (Patrick J.) Heiden of South Bend; two sons, Thomas Niemier of South Bend and Terence (Wanetta) Niemier of South Bend; a granddaughter, Jody Nicole Niemier; and by a sister, Geraldine Czeck of South Bend.

Mr. Niemier was a member and an usher at St. Stanislaus Church. He was a member of the American Legion; was a World War II Navy veteran, serving for three years; and was a past president of the Westside Democratic Club for seven years, where he met and assisted Bob Kennedy, Ted Kennedy and Ed Muskie. He was a member of the Bendix Retirees Club, was a former president of the Bendix Old Timers Association, was very active in U.A.W. Bendix Local 9 politics, was a past member of the St. Joseph County Tax Board, advised for three years the CETA Council, was an active member of Real Services, a past member of the St. Joseph Young Men's Society, a former trainer for the Holy Cross Catholic School Athletic Association, a volunteer for the Voters Absentee Ballot, a graduate of Central High School, and he played organized sandlot football and baseball. He was very proud of his senior education at the University of Notre Dame, and was an avid Notre Dame fan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 1, in St. Stanislaus Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today in the KANIEWSKI FUNERAL HOME, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m.