Don Custard, 94

Donald Custard, age 94, of Mendon died Saturday Feb. 2, 2013 at the Sunshine Adult Foster Home in Three Rivers. Don was born in Grand Rapids, MI on June 17, 1918 the second son of Herbert and Elizabeth (Sheffield) Custard. He grew up in Mendon attending Mendon Schools and graduating with the class of 1936. He was president of his freshman and senior classes as well as playing quarterback for the Mendon football team in 1935 where he was an all-state honorable mention.

After graduation he attended Michigan State College for several semesters and was later employed by American Metal Products in Detroit. He was married to his classmate and friend, June Happel on June 29, 1940. From this marriage there were two daughters, Nan Schmitz and Dagne Horning. They moved back to Mendon in 1942 and Don was employed by Eaton Manufacturing in Battle Creek for two years. In 1944 he was called to serve in the U. S. Navy for two years. Upon his return he began his employment with the Haas Corporation where he worked for 30 years, leaving in 1976 when the company was acquired by Lear Siegler. Don’s good friend and classmate, Ted Haas asked for Don’s help in setting up a new company, T-H Plastics in Mendon where Dona was a consultant until his retirement.

Don served on the board of directors of the First State Bank of Mendon for 10 years and served on the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education from 1951 to 1955. He was a past member of the Mendon Kiwanis Club where he worked on the Showboat for 25 years. He was a 4-H Leader, teaching electrical science for a year. Don has been a member of the Mendon United Methodist Church for 80 years and also has life memberships in the Mendon Masonic Lodge #137 with a 32nd degree Masonry; the Saladin Temple Shrine of Grand Rapids; and the Three Rivers Shrine Club. Through the years Don’s hobbies included sailing, travel, golf, lapidary, and stained glass art.

After 43 years of marriage, his wife June passed away in 1983. Don was married to Janice (McKindley) Osgood on June 1, 1985. She survives along Don’s daughters, Nan Schmitz and Dagne (Bud) Horning; Janice’s daughters, Christine (Dean) Norton, Diane (Lon) Huffman, and Karen Kline all of Mendon. together they have nine grandchildren, Benjamin Horning, Theresa Schmitz, Amy and Andy Stienbarger, Becky Behrends, Kim Morris, Kelly Clingman, Nicole Furey, and Traci Millard. They also have 8 great-grandchildren, Ashley Millard, Ella Milllard, Mackenzie Urick, Daphka Morris, Jaden Behrens, Chloe Behrens, Jacob Stienbarger, Kenzie Horning and Brady Horning. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by 3 brothers, Jack, Benjamin, and Wesley Custard.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon where Masonic Rites will take place at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday Feb. 6, 2013 at the Mendon United Methodist Church with Rev. Dave Knapp officiating. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Mendon United Methodist Church, or to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com