Larry Niffenegger

Lawrence Melvin Niffenegger passed away on July 7, 2016 in Marquette, Michigan. A 48-year resident of Skokie, Illinois, Larry was born in South Haven, Michigan to Melvin and Nellie Mae Niffenegger. He graduated from South Haven High School (Class of 1955) and earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University. He was a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

In the 1960s, while employed by Sumner Sollitt Construction Company, he worked on the design and managed the construction of the waste water treatment plant for the City of South Haven. The majority of his career was as a field construction representative for JCPenney Company. For 25 years, he managed new construction and renovation of the company’s department stores across the Midwest.

Larry was an avid conversationalist and enjoyed traveling and being with his family. His great joy in life was to spend time at his cabin on Lily Lake, surrounded by the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He designed the octagonal cabin and  built it with help from family and friends. He loved nature, he loved to know how things worked, he delighted in sharing the cabin with his family, his friends and friends of their friends over many years and in all seasons.

Larry was a small town boy at heart; he appreciated community, loved to tell and listen to stories, and had a deep nostalgia for South Haven.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Pat (Tamandl) Niffenegger and daughters Audrey (Eddie Campbell), Beth and Jonelle, all of the Chicago area, as well as his sister Suzanne Kerstein and nephew/nieces Dirk Beckwith, Karen Rickerman and Kim Beckwith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Michigan Technological University, Civil Engineering Department, Houghton, Michigan.

A celebration of life will be held in South Haven at Filbrandt Funeral Home on October 29, 2016. Visitation will be from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Lakeview Cemetery.