Hartley Nickel

Hartley Nickel, 96, of St. Joseph, MI went quietly to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, June 17, 2016 at his home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00 P.M. Friday, June 24, 2016 at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Inurnment will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 10:30 A.M. until 12:00 P.M.  Friday, at the Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in C/O Margaret Nickel or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory of Hartley online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Hartley was born May 23, 1920 in Saskatchewan, Canada to Peter & Lydia (Buller) Nickel. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1938. Hartley was an engineer for Bendix Corporation for many years. He also worked for Clark Equipment and Midwest Timer. On May 17, 1990 he married Margaret Dorgelo after his first wife’s passing of Florence in 1987. Hartley was a member of the First Church of God and dedicated many hours of service which included the founding of small group bible study, pastor search committee, the building fund committee, board of trustee committee serving as chairman, and many other various activities. In his spare time he enjoyed being a handyman, wood working, fishing and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.  Hartley is survived by his wife Margaret Nickel; children Curt (Stacey) Nickel, Linda (John) Gulley, Laura Hess and Dan (Mayumi) Balfour; grandchildren Jason (Betsy) Nickel, Nathan (Marcie) Nickel, Caleb (Melissa) Nickel, Katie (Lee) Hitchock, Jonna (Jose) Cruz, Kelly (Eric) Moel, Cassie (Andy) Fuhr, Richard (Sara) Flowers, Rachel (Josh) Kloes, and Trevor Balfour; great grandchildren Eli, Lily, Iris, Jack, Maisy, Diego, Noah, Lexi, Brandon, Sam, Erica, Cade, Max, Charlie, and Miles; sisters Gladys Berger and Loretta (Richard) LaPoint; and many nieces and nephews. Hartley was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Florence and sisters Fern Smith and Thelma Voth.