Niles, Mich., farrier Dennis Edward Fester passed away Dec. 24, 2018. He was 75.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, Fester attended Wolverine Farrier School in Lowell, Mo. In 1991, he apprenticed with Grand Rapids area farrier Mika Mankel for 2 years. Afterward, he returned home and opened his own farrier business in Niles. Fester had many dedicated clients, some of whom stayed with him as long as 25 years. 

When Fester entered semi-retirement, he began crafting pieces of art from iron. He gave these to friends and family as gifts.

A celebration of life honoring Fester will be held in the spring.