Obituaries

Raymond Walter Niles Jr. of Munith, Michigan, age 93, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026, at his home. He was born February 8, 1933, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Raymond Walter and Ruth Rosina (Lindenschmidt) Niles, Sr.

Raymond graduated from Saline High School in 1951 and then earned an associate's degree from American River Junior College in California. Raymond served 9 years in the US Navy Reserves. He started as a mechanic and then worked as Radar Operator. Raymond worked as a Mechanical Designer for Gar Wood Truck Company and Aerojet-General Corporation, which was a rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer for the space industry in California, from 1959-1966. During that time, he also worked with McDonnell Douglas, where he worked on the Saturn V. Raymond, and with Gelman Sciences, where he worked on electrophoresis blood machines, before moving back to California to design hard drives. While in California during the mid-80's, he and Lois also had two successful tole painting businesses called the Cottage Tole. Raymond built and enjoyed flying his remote control airplane and enjoyed reading historical nonfiction. He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Chelsea and helped manage the church's cemetery.

Raymond was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois (Raub) Niles in 2002, and his second wife, Arlene Riba in 2023. Raymond is survived by his daughter, Sundra (Marvin) Heim of Chelsea; sons, Raymond Niles III of Oregon, and Daniel (Viv) Niles of Munith; sister, Zoa Oliver of Missouri; his grandchildren, Kelli (Greg) Wilson, Jill (Jeff) Murphy, Henry (Becky) Heim, Irisha Niles, Johnathan Moffett, Michele Hinche, and Christopher Saunders; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; Arlene’s family; and many sisters-in-law. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his son, Eric; and half siblings, Donald, Mary and Dorothy.

A memorial service will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Zion Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 3050 S. Fletcher Rd., Chelsea, MI 48118. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel.

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