Sallie Ann Niles

Sallie Ann Niles, age 86, of Caledonia passed away on Saturday, September 3, 2022. Sallie worked at her grandfather’s mercantile store and her parent’s gas station in Caledonia as a young lady. She was crowned homecoming queen by Gerald R. Ford in 1953. She was a lifetime member of Caledonia United Methodist Church, serving in nursery, Sunday School and vacation bible school, alongside “Sammy the Bear.” She also volunteered many years in scouting, starting as a leader in Cub Scouts, Webelos, Brownies, Girl Scouts and ended up the leader of the entire West Michigan Girl Scout Organization. She was preceded in death by her high school sweetheart and husband of 67 years, Ramon “Al” Niles; parents, Clarence and Dorothy Finkbeiner; brother and sister: David and Marian Finkbeiner, Betty Lou Ward. She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Gregory Allyn (Dawn) Niles, Jeffrey Allyn (Jessica) Niles, Valerie Ann (Ken) Howard; grandchildren: Jeremiah (Kathy) Niles, Christian (Raquel) Niles, Nicole Niles (Evan Honea), Natalie Niles, Dustin Niles (Brooke Henning), Thomas Mueller, Brock Mueller, Michelle Howard (Ryan Sinclair); many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life for Al and Sallie will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2022, at Caledonia United Methodist Church, 250 Vine St. Caledonia, with Rev. Christine Beaudoin officiating. Burial will be held at Lakeside Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the church with a luncheon to follow. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a charity of one’s choice.