Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – December 2, 2002

Harold L. Treesh

March 21, 1906 - Nov. 30, 2002

Mr. Harold Laverne Treesh, 96, of West Main St., Niles, Mich., died at 2:28 a.m Saturday Nov. 30, 2002, at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on March 21, 1906, in North Liberty, Ind., to Carey Allen and Irma (Benjamin) Treesh. He was graduated from the South Bend (Indiana) College of Commerce and has lived in Niles since 1933.

During his years as a young man in Montpelier, Ohio, Stroh, Indiana, and South Bend, he held many different jobs in the service sector including agriculture, retail, and restaurant. He was also employed by Studebaker, Automobiles, the New York Central, and the Kawneer Company. He began his career at First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Niles in 1941 eventually serving many years as chairman of the Board and President.

He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, the Lions Club and Toastmasters, all of Niles.

His experiences on the New York Central started a lifelong interest in railroading. In retirement he designed, constructed and operated an extensive model railroad. He had played the tuba since his youth and was learning to play the organ. He was also learning to paint landscapes in oil. Over the years he had developed many friendships as a licensed amateur radio operator with the call letters W8NLO.

On Thanksgiving Day of 1931 he was married to the former Evelyn M. Hatfield with whom he celebrated 71 years of marriage this Thanksgiving Day. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their children, Dennis (Pat) Treesh of Niles and Tina A. Patterson of Toledo, Ohio; and their grandchildren, Deidre Hardy, Janelle Patterson and Carey I. Treesh.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Raymond L. Treesh, and a sister, Gladys O'Conner.

Funeral services for Mr. Harold I. Treesh will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 3, 2002, at Grace United Methodist Church with Pastor Pat Bromberek of the church officiating. Committal services will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today, December 2, 2002 in Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Contributions in memory of Mr. Treesh may be made to the American Lung Association.