Ernest Frederick Nieman, Jr.

      Ernest Frederick "Ernie" Nieman, Jr., age 79, of Alma, MI, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at his home.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, September 9, 2024, with Dr. Keith Wise officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery, North Star, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
     Ernest was born in Elba Twp., Michigan on June 4, 1945, the son of Ernest Frederick Sr. and Beulah Arlene (Battley) Nieman. He graduated from Alma High School with the Class of 1965. On February 12, 1992, Ernest married Joyce Haas Zimmerman in Niagara Falls. They have been married thirty-two years.
     Ernie was a hard worker and had many different jobs over his lifetime. He owned A1 Barber Shop in Alma for many years. He worked for Double G Coaches, and drove bus for Indian Trails for twenty-nine years and earned an award for 2 million miles accident free.
     Ernie loved his family and spent as much time with them as possible. He could always provide directions for any destination. He enjoyed fishing, gambling, and delighted in retelling the stories of his adventures.
     He is survived by his wife Joyce, three daughters: Brenda (Tim) Slaughter, Paula Seeley, and Dianna (Brad) Zimmerman-Jost; ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, his sister Irene Clark, his brother Jim (Debbie) Nieman, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Ted Zimmerman, two sisters: Shirley (Rex) Sparks and Barbara (Dennis) Netzley, and brother-in-law Ken Clark.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital - 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.