Lewis H Niece Jr.

He was born September 23, 1923, in St. Paris, Ohio, to Lewis and Marie Harter Niece, who preceded him in death. On November 29, 1944, he married Dortha Jean Geyer, and they were married 59 years until her death in 2003.

A retired music teacher, he was a concert and marching band director, choral conductor, and teacher of music appreciation courses. His entire teaching career was served in Ohio and included the DeGraff/Riverside Public Schools, Orville Public Schools, and Kent State University. His success as a teacher involved one simple formula: care about students and give them respect, and they will care and give respect in return. To instill in students a life-long appreciation for music was his primary goal as a teacher.

After his beloved wife’s death, he found a new passion: playing the piano for nursing homes and assisted living residents. He memorized ten music programs each consisting of 34 songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. One of his favorite memories occurred in 1993 when former concert and marching band members from the DeGraff/Riverside school district gathered to celebrate him with a “Lewie’s Alumni Band” parade and concert. Lewie was the subject of his son’s award winning book, The Band Plays On.

A graduate of Lakeview Local High School, Mr. Niece then went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music Degree from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago. A World War II Navy veteran, he served in the Mediterranean Theater on a Liberty Ship.

Survivors include three sons: Dr. Rick Niece (Sherée), Kurt Niece (Gary Pitman) of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, Jeff Niece of Flagstaff, Arizona; grandchildren, Justin Niece of Tucson, Shawn (Joe) Pendergast and great-grandchildren Sophia, Colin, and Madeline of Flagstaff; a sister-in-law, Sally Geyer of Lima, Ohio; and numerous nieces and nephews. His sister, LaVelva, and two brothers, Garry and Melvin, preceded him in death.

A private memorial service will be conducted at Mt. Carmel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Lewis and Dortha Jean Niece Scholarship at University of the Ozarks, 415 North College Avenue, Clarksville, Arkansas 72830.