WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Clarence LaMar Milliman, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, Sept. 29, 2011, at his home.
He was born Oct. 4, 1922, in Burr Oak, a son of the late Glen E. and Chloe S. (Smith) Milliman.
LaMar had resided in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area his entire life, and for many years enjoyed wintering at his home in Avon Park, Fla.
On June 18, 1946, he married Thelma Eva Schuler in Sturgis. She died Aug. 19, 1977.
On Dec. 14, 1983, he married Margaret Scanlan in Sturgis, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 7, 2003.
LaMar retired from Sutton Tool in Sturgis, where he had been employed for many years in the tool crib. Before joining Sutton Tool, he had been employed at Taylor Produce in Sturgis for several years.
He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church and Deacon Jerry Mix Council #2508 Knights of Columbus.
LaMar was proud and honored to have served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army as a medic with the 501st Medical Collection Company, earning the rank of PFC. He was involved in the D-Day invasion and was decorated with several citations and awards, including a Bronze Battle Star.
LaMar was a life member of Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion and Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW.
He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and mushroom hunting in northern Michigan. LaMar was a longtime devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers.
He is survived by two sons, James (Karen) Milliman and Joseph Milliman, both of Sturgis; five daughters, Mary (Larry) Knowles of Painesville, Ohio, Pat Landis of Bronson, Martha Hay of Sturgis, Marsha Davis of Sturgis and Pam (Ernie) Stauffer of Colon; three stepsons, Micheal (Jeannine) Edgerton of The Colony, Texas, Gilbert Edgerton of Chicago and Ron (Nancy) Edgerton of Asheville, N.C.; a step-daughter, Barbara (Robert) Schwartz of Richland; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; special friend Midge Labo of Homosassa, Fla.; and several stepgrandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; a son, Robert L. Milliman; an infant daughter, Susan Marie Milliman; four brothers, Harold Lavern “Bud” Milliman, Ralph Milliman, Max Milliman and Wilbur Milliman; and two sisters, Josephine Yunker and Irene Wenzel.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis. The Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Clarence LaMar Milliman will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Father German Perez-Diaz will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis, where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Milliman’s memory consider The Leukemia Society Michigan Chapter, 1421 East 12 Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071, or Three Rivers Health Hospice, 222 S. Main St., Three Rivers, MI 49093.
