Elwood L. 'Bucky' Hemphill

Elwood L. "Bucky" Hemphill, 86, of Niles, Mich., died peacefully at 10:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016 at The Waters of Greencastle, following an extended illness.

He was born on Jan. 28, 1930 in Buchanan, Mich.

He graduated from Niles High School where he earned varsity letters in several sports.

In 1949 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he continued his athletic accomplishments until being called to the battlefront in Korea.

His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy, and Sgt. Hemphill suffered two battle wounds -- earning him the Purple Heart medal with an additional Gold Star.

After completing his tour of duty, he was honorably discharged as a veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Bucky returned to Niles, and joined the Niles City Police Department in 1954. In addition to his patrolman duties, he developed the child safety program: "Bucky the Bike."

Lt. Hemphill completed a remarkable 37 years as a sworn law enforcement officer, retiring in 1991.

He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, the St. Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F & AM, the American Legion Post 26, and a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 95, all in Niles.

He volunteered with the United Way, was appointed to various city boards, and spent many years soliciting sponsors and selling tickets for the FOP corn roast and Legion fish fry.

In 1954 in Niles he married Kathy with whom he celebrated the remarkable 61st anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on Oct. 18, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his four siblings.

Surviving family includes his children, Teresa (and Gerald) Baker of Reelsville, Todd Hemphill of Cloverdale, and Tim (and Paula) Hemphill of South Carolina; grandchildren Ashley (and Joe) Jones, Emily (and Dayne) Nelson, Jacob Hemphill, Michael Hemphill and Kaitlyn (and Nigel) Long; great-grandchildren Easton, Luke, Charlotte and Kennedy; and three of Bucky's sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Bucky Hemphill were conducted with Masonic Rites by the Saint Joseph Valley Lodge 4 on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 in Niles, followed immediately by a funeral service with committal services at the cemetery in Niles, and concluded with full military honors by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51 of Buchanan.

Contributions in memory of Bucky may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.