WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Melvin S. Guess, age 81, of Portage, passed into eternal life on Oct. 25, 2010.
He was born Dec. 5, 1929, in Kalamazoo, a son of Geo and Lois Guess.
On Sept. 2, 1950, he married Christine Shoemake Guess. She preceded him in death Feb. 14, 1997.
Mel enjoyed many years of family and fun, whether it be at the Fedric Cabin up north, or the infamous lake house in Colon, Mich., where many good times, laughs, and stories being told. In recent times if you could not find him at home you would find him at Friends Cafe, or now known as the Daily Grind Café. Mel worked a lot of good years at Brundage Corp. and did extra jobs fixing many TV’s for his customers, and friends. He was an Army-Air Corps veteran, serving in Panama, Germany, thru the end of World War II. He was a member of United Steel Workers Union, Schoolcraft Eagles, Comstock VFW Post 6252, and the American Legion, Colon.
Surviving are his children, Edward (Wendy) Guess of Centreville, Linda May of Kalamazoo, Brenda Giesl of Washington; two sisters, Devana and Wanda; longtime friend “Uncle Bill” William Nickols of Vicksburg; grandchildren Jackie (Tom) Guess-Jones, Heather Grostick, Brad (Katie) Grostick, Megan (Kyle) Sells, David (Missy) Hays, Thomas Hays, Jeffery Ryan, Connie Ryan, Dianna and Kim Bailey; and 20 great-grandkids.
He was preceded by his parents; two sons; a grandson, Nikia Guess; two brothers; and a sister.
Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel,
622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Firm Foundations Church (651 E. Main St.
M-86), Centreville. Dinner will follow services at the church.
A private interment will be held in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Loaves and Fishes, Centreville Soup Supper, or Centreville Food Pantry; www.langelands.com.
