Shopper_7_25_24_

http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, July 25, 2024 15

Gary L. Head,
a lifelong resident
of Battle Creek,
passed away
peacefully on
July 15, 2024, at
Bronson Battle
Creek Hospital.
He was born
August 11, 1948,
to Floyd Arthur and
June Marie (Miller)
Head. Gary gradu-
ated from Battle
Creek Central High School in the class of 1966.
Immediately upon graduation, he enlisted in
the United States Marine Corp. After serving
two tours in Vietnam, he returned home with
the rank of sergeant to meet the love of his
life, Donna Johnson. They met cruising the gut
near the Peppermint Twist, meeting in August
and marrying in December. They were mar-
ried 53 years -- a marriage that welcomed two
daughters.
Gary worked for the Clark Oil Refinery for
20 years. He then decided he wanted to begin
another career and he left to join RW Mercer in
pursuit of becoming a journeyman electrician.
When he wasn’t working, he could be found
supporting his children, serving on the Board
at the Wattles Park Men’s Club, coaching their
games, hunting and fishing. He spent many
years traveling to South Dakota pheasant hunt-
ing and trips to Canada fishing.
He was known as the neighborhood “fix
it man.” Always willing to help others. He
would make docks for the lake, shelving for
his daughter’s business, bolo ball games, you

name it, and Gary would make it.

Gary is survived by his beautiful wife, Donna

(Johnson) Head; one sister, Cindy (Cliff)

Cheyne; a daughter, Angela (Ron) McCormick;

four grandchildren, Katelynn, Scott, Madison

and Teagan; four great-grandchildren, Aedan,

Ave, Mason and Mia, and all of which miss

their Poppy deeply. And uncle Ken (Juanita)

Miller.

He was preceded in death by his oldest

daughter, Melissa “Missy” Head, who passed

away July 29, 2023. There is no doubt they are

in heaven together spending their days look-

ing out for their family. He was also preceded

in death by his parents; brother Michael; and

sister Mary.

Gary’s legacy of love, simplicity and family

devotion will continue to always live on in the

hearts of all who knew him.

Services will be held at Fort Custer National

Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI

49012 on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 1:

p.m., with full military honors. A luncheon/

visitation will immediately follow the services at

his home on Sonoma Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made

to the Missy Head Scholarship fund at /erp/

donate/create/fund.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf

Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723

US Hwy. 27 N. Marshall, MI 49068. Please visit

http://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online

obituary, sign the

online guest book

or leave the family

condolences.

Eugene E.

“Gene” Martin

of Battle Creek,

formerly of

Waterford, went

to be with the

Lord on July

11, 2024, sur-

rounded by his

loving family, in

North Branch,

Michigan. He was

87 years of age.

Gene was born

September 25, 1936, in Buffalo, West

Virginia, to Park Martin and Wanda (née

Hall) Martin-Sykes. He received his pasto-

ral degree from Lee College in Cleveland,

Tenn., and later went on to marry his wife

Shirley in 1967, until her death in 2004.

Gene was a hard worker all his life and

retired from GM after over 40 years of ser-

vice. He also owned and operated Triple

T Enterprises. Faith was the cornerstone

of his life and he ministered to people his

entire life. Gene never met a stranger.

He was a faithful member of Pontiac

Walton Boulevard Church of God for over

40 years. He was an active member of

Family Altar Chapel in Battle Creek, Mich.,

and had been for several years since his

marriage to his second wife, Barbara.

He was a car enthusiast. He loved old

cars and collecting model cars; but none

of it compared to his ‘57 Chevy Bel Air. He

belonged to the Sunset Cruisers Car Club

for several years. Gene loved to harass

and joke around with everyone he met

or knew. He loved to give you one of his

big bear hugs. He will be most remem-

bered as a loving family man who adored

his kids and grandchildren.

Loving husband of the late Shirley

(née Rea) Martin for 38 years; cherished

father of Tiffany (Tim) Carlton, Tara (Matt)

Neff, Tammy (Jason) Strunk, and the

late Tina Martin; grandfather of Jessica

(R.J.), Preston (Kierstin), Paiyton, Emmah,

Mycah Ann, Landen, Silas and Selah;

great-grandfather of Elijah Matthew;

brother of the late Jack (Barb) Martin,

Park Martin and Rick (Connie) Martin.

He is also survived many loving nieces,

nephews and close friends. Gene is sur-

vived by his loving wife, Barbara Linstead-

Martin, whom he married in 2010; Barb’s

daughter, Paula (Don) Garrett; grandchil-

dren Nathaniel (Kristin), Hannah (Rob)

and Matthew (Aria); great-grandchildren

Leah Elizabeth, Emily Jean and Mason

Robert.

A memorial service and burial have

already taken place in Pontiac and

Rochester Hills. Family will receive

friends at a second memorial service on

Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Family Altar

Chapel in Battle Creek at 11 a.m. until

time for the service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a

contribution to The Family Altar Chapel,

14844 6-1/2-Mile Road, Battle Creek, Mi.

49014.

Fred Opich,
89, a lifelong Battle
Creek, Michigan,
resident, was
reunited with his
wife, Kay, in Heaven
on Monday, July
15, 2024.
Fred was born
September 14,
1934, in Battle
Creek, Michigan,
to Eli and Sophie
Opich. His parents
died at a very young age and he was raised and
spoiled by his oldest sister, Sadie. He gradu-
ated from Battle Creek Central High School
and honorably served in the U.S. Army with
the Military Police. Fred worked briefly for
the Kellogg Company. Then he was employed
for many years as a printer for Gage Printing
Company, until retiring. After his retire-
ment, Fred was employed by HUB Insurance
Company.
The first time Fred saw Kay as a
Southeastern Junior High student, he hoped
she would be his wife. Fred said, “The best day
of his life was June 27, 1954,” when Kay Joy
Mosher and Frederick Opich were united in
marriage at Central Christian Church. Fred was
preceded in death by his bride, Kay, on May
10, 2024.
Surviving are their two daughters, Laurie Hill
and Lisa Opich/Eason (Richard), all of Battle
Creek; three grandchildren, Trevor (Kelsey)

Eason, Mitchell (Tess) Hill, Pierce Eason; five

great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Kay, Fred was also

preceded in death by his parents; four sisters,

Sadie Hoag, Mary Williamson, Annie Crane,

Stella Goodacre; a brother, Joe Opich; and a

son-in-law.

As a kid, Fred would walk the RR tracks

looking for coal. He enjoyed going to the mov-

ies and always had lots of friends. His wife,

Kay, picked up where his sister left off and

spoiled him for the rest of his life. Fred loved

teasing everyone, especially his grandchildren

and great-grandchildren. He teased the neigh-

borhood children and entertained them with

games, hiding quarters in the yard, with fire-

works and bottle rockets on the Fourth of July

and wearing a mask to scare the kids and hand

out candy on Halloween. He was an avid golfer,

bowled in the leagues at the former Nottke’s

Bowl and swam in the Goguac Lake Swim for

many years. He enjoyed watching sports and

old war movies. Fred will be remembered as

a great friend to many people and loved his

family.

Friends will be received 5-7 p.m. Thursday,

July 25, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral

Cremation Preneed Care, where a service to

celebrate Fred’s life will be held 11:30 a.m.

Friday, July 26, 2024. Military honors, com-

mittal and interment will follow at Oak Hill

Cemetery.

Personal messages for the family may be

placed at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

Curt L.

Peterson, 75,

of Battle Creek,

passed away

Thursday, July

18, 2024, at

Medilodge of

Marshall. He

was born May

10, 1949, in

Battle Creek,

Michigan, the son

of Howard Edwin

and Ruth Arlene

(Hart) Peterson.

Curt was a 1967 graduate of Lakeview

High School and enlisted in the Navy after

graduation. Following his honorable dis-

charge in 1971, Curt worked at McDonnell

Douglas Corporation in California as a

painter of aircraft. He later moved back

to Battle Creek and worked at National

Waterlift Abex and Parker for over 20

years as a painter. Curt then continued his

work as a driver, delivering

travel trailers all throughout

the eastern seaboard.

Curt loved trains and was

an avid model railroader. He

also enjoyed woodworking,

making furniture for the home

and a communion set for his

church. He was a member

of the St. Joe Valley Hobos

Camping Club for many

years.

On September 10, 1971,

he was married to Sandra

(Turner) Peterson, who pre-

ceded him in death in 2000.

He was also preceded by his

parents and significant other Penny Taylor

in 2018.

Curt is survived by his brother, Eric

(Robin) Peterson; two nephews, John

(Courtney) Peterson and Merik (Erin)

Warren; niece Shauneene (Nolan) Crowe;

and five grandnieces, all of Battle Creek.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Richard

A. Henry Funeral Home. Interment fol-

lowed at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends at the funeral

home from noon until the time of the

service on

Wednesday.

http://www.henryfu-

neralhome.org

Do you have

your

in a row?

Wills • Trusts • Probate • Powers of Attorney

Housley Peters Law Office

(269) 248-6500 - Marshall, MI