William John Nykiel, 87, Bremen, passed away at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, of natural causes in Miller’s Merry Manor, Plymouth.

Formerly of Chicago Heights, Ill., William and his family were lured to rural Marshall County in 1975 to continue farming but removed from the city. Farming was a passion that he passed down to his family.

William was born in Chicago Heights, Ill. on Nov. 16, 1927, one of four sons born of Polish emigrants Stanley and Alexandra Nykiel.

He received his education at St. Joseph Catholic grade school and Bloom High School both in Chicago Heights, Ill. He then served during WWII as a machinist in the U.S. Army. William was a crane operator for 36 years with the Ford Motor Co. in Chicago Heights, Ill. He also farmed, was an expert welder and simply enjoyed piddling in his farm shed.

On May 7, 1960, in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church he wed Rita M. Herman who survives. The couple was currently members of St. Michael Catholic Church in Plymouth.

Surviving along with Rita are seven children and their families: Steve (Pamela Callendar) Nykiel; son: Nathaniel Nykiel, Colleyville, Texas; Daniel (Mary Taylor) Nykiel; with children: Jordan and Emily Nykiel, Collierville, Tenn.; Ronald (Charity Doerscher) Nykiel, children: Jacob and Sydney Nykiel, Bremen; Sandra (the late Michael) Davis, Argos; with children: Adam Davis; Greg Davis; Dawn Ickes; And Dustin Cullen; Andrew (Lori Huffman) Nykiel, their daughter: Jenna Nykiel, Bremen; Jerry (Tammy Stein) Nykiel, South Bend; and Marlene Dolan, Bremen, with children: Aleczandra Dolan; Thomas Dolan; and Destyni Carbon. Five great-grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by his three brothers: Hillard; Mitchell; and Walter Nykiel.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth, where a prayer service will begin at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday. Nov. 12, in St. Michael Catholic Church, Plymouth. Visitation will continue in the church from 10-11 a.m. Burial will follow in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, with military honors provided by members of the American Legion Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Marshall Co. Post 1162 and the D.A.V.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Michael Parish, Plymouth.