Niles Glen Sanders

RAMSAY, Mich. - Niles Glen Sanders, 81, a lifelong resident of Ramsay, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, July 3, 2016, at his home. He was surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Niles was born on March 1, 1935, in Ramsay, a son of Edward and Catherine (Cebolski) Sanders. He graduated from Ramsay School and attended A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer. Just two weeks prior of graduating from high school, Niles left to go to work on the Lake Superior ore boats.

Niles worked as a subcontractor for the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline, was a commercial and private snow plow contractor and groomed snowmobile trails for years for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He was also employed by the Michigan Bell Telephone Company laying phone lines in the western and central parts of the Upper Peninsula.

On July 8, 1961, Niles was united in marriage to Ingeborg Charlotte "Inga" Liedtke at Christ the King Catholic Church in Ramsay by the Rev. Louis C. Cappo.

In 1971, Niles and Inga opened Alpine Campground on U.S. Highway 2 in Bessemer. The campground was popular for its trout pond, swimming pool, paddle boats and recreation room.

Niles was an avid motorcyclist, owning many Harley-Davidson cycles and was known as the "James Dean" of the U.P.

He was a member of the Gogebic Range Charity Riders Association and for many years rode to Lake Placid, N.Y. annually for the March of Dimes charities.

Niles and his family traveled across the country in their motor home visiting all but two states, Alaska and Hawaii.

Niles was known and respected for his creative mechanical ingenuities and inventions. He had an uncanny ability to repair the unrepairable.

Niles enjoyed watching his children play hockey, swim, hunt and fish. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Niles took pleasure in his boat gardens.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Niles is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 55 years, Inga; two sons, Ted (LuAnn), Weston, Wis., and Michael, Bessemer; a daughter, Tanja (Ryan Mieloszyk), Ironwood; his stepson, Detlef (Beverly) Liedtke, Wakefield; three granddaughters, Kara, Molly and Bria Sanders, all of Weston; a great-granddaughter, Eliana Cherek, Weston; two nieces, Dianne (Bill) Berquist, Streamwood, Ill., and Cheryl (Jon) Swett, Flagstaff, Ariz .; two nephews, Wade (Linda) Sanders, Grants Pass, Ore., and Rick (Tina) Kempa, Rogue River, Ore .; many great-nieces and great-nephews; other loving relatives; and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Artrudis "Trudy" Kempa and Wabirda "Babe" Rosa; and a brother, Chester Sanders.

No funeral service is scheduled at this time.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.