Dick Large, 85

Richard Lee “Dick” Large, 85, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Thursday evening, March 18, 2010, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.

He was born June 29, 1924, in Kalamazoo, Mich., a son to the late Clair and Elsie (Noel) Large.

Dick was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1942 and had resided his entire life in Sturgis with the exception of the three years he was serving his country in the U.S. Navy.

On Jan. 6, 1946, he married Beverly Joan Fennell at the parsonage of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis.

Following 33 years of dedicated employment as a mail carrier with the United States Postal Service he retired on June 29, 1979. During his working years with the Postal Service and following his retirement he nearly always was working part-time jobs.

Dick was proud to have served his country during World War II as a radioman in the U.S. Navy from March 26, 1943-Feb. 1, 1946 and for some of that time he had been stationed in a Communications Center in Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands.

Dick was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis where he was a member of the Adult Fellowship class for many years. He was also a member of Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion, the Crutch Players Golf Group and the Burr Oak Golf League.

He enjoyed traveling and two of his favorite trips were to Alaska and the Panama Canal. Dick loved playing golf and for over 40 years he made the annual trip to the Baldwin, Mich., areas for deer hunting’s opening day.

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 64 years, Beverly; two daughters, Lynn Ann (Craig) Hess and Gail Ellen Bonebrake, both of Paw Paw; one son, Douglas (Linda) Large of Sturgis. They were blessed with eight grandchildren, Pamela (Ron) St. Clair, Todd (Tonya) Hess, Matthew (Tiffany) Hess, Melissa (Christopher) Schierey, Andrew (Lois) Large, Case (Gina) Bonebrake, Nicholas (his fiancée Erinn Katt) Hess and Kyle Hess; 14 great-grandchildren; one Brother, Clair N. “Bud” (Norma) Large of Sturgis; and several nieces, nephews and cousins including Don “Duffy” (Marianne) Noel of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Edythe Lockwood.

In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, (269) 651-2331. A memorial service celebrating the life of Richard Lee Large will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Deb Johnson and the Rev. Robert Keim will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis where full military rites will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Large’s memory consider the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Thurston Woods Village, 307 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.