Fred J. Churchill

March 30, 1946 - July 12, 2014

Fred J. Churchill Fred Joseph Churchill, age 68, of Marcellus, Michigan passed away on July 12, 2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo. Fred was born on March 30, 1946 in Dowagiac, MI to Eugene and Edith (Curtis) Churchill and graduated from Marcellus High School in 1964. He then enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly served for four years as an aviation ordinance man, and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam earning an E5 classification. On November 30, 1968 he married the love of his life, Sandra Melville and they raised their three daughters Heather (Scott) Johnson, Holly (Mario) Brown and Lisa (Michael) Roy near his childhood farm in Dowagiac. Fred retired from GTE when he was 52 years old and continued to work for dear friends, Bill Mater at the Mater Funeral Home and Dave High at High Quality Farms. As a volunteer tour guide for the V.F.W., he educated local students about the museum and military history. Fred was a very humorous, loving and kind man that always greeted you with a big smile. He adored his family and friends and enjoyed cooking, shooting guns, playing golf and spending time with the boys at his barn. Hunting and fishing were his passions. He loved winters in Florida with the Churchill family. Fred was very patriotic and held life memberships at the V.F.W. and AMVETS. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Richard and Robert. His surviving siblings include Sharon (James) Turk, Ron Churchill, Tom (Carol) Churchill and Jim (Carol) Churchill. He also has five grandchildren, Trent Johnson, Andersen and Bennet Brown, and Harper and Ryker Roy. Fred will be dearly missed by so many beloved friends and family members, nieces and nephews and honorary sons including Tony Goodrich, Don Webb, Darrell Hoefle and Mark Wetzel. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, July 16, 2014 in the Mater-Ralston Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating Fred’s life will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday, July 17, 2014 at the Marcellus High School followed by a military service at South Wayne Cemetery, Dowagiac, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Marcellus V.F.W. Post 4054. Online condolences may be left at www.materralstonfuneralhome.com