WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Leroy Bishop, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, following 14 years of illnesses.
He was born June 3, 1944, in Johnson City, Tenn., a son of the late Joshua T. and Reba (Humphrey) Bishop.
On July 1, 1976, he married Joan Pitman in Sturgis.
Leroy’s early life was spent in Tennessee, before he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Marine Corps, he served two enlistments in the Vietnam War. After being discharged, he moved to Sturgis in 1970, where he became a truck driver at Schneider Transport for nine years and eventually retiring from the Sturgis Foundry after 18 years.
Leroy was an outdoorsman at heart, loving to hunt and fish. He also was a member of the St. Joseph County Conservation Club, where he participated in trap and skeet shooting. He also enjoyed bowling.
Leroy was a member of Capt. John J. Kelly Post #1355 V.F.W., Neuman Wenzel Post #73 American Legion, as well as the Jack Johnston Chapter #88 D.A.V.
Surviving are his loving wife of 38 years, Joan Bishop; a stepson, Daniel Williamson of Sturgis; special granddaughter Vonda (Samuel) Glasscoe of Sturgis; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, William Bishop of Walkerton, Ind., Harold Bishop and Jerry Bishop; four sisters, Elizabeth Ramsey, Lucille Hostetler, Bernice Blevens and Kathy Profet; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and 14 siblings.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends and relatives from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
Burial of the ashes and full military honors will be conferred by the Fort Custer Honor Guard and the United State Marine Corps., at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta.
Memorial donations may be directed to the St. Joseph County Conservation Club, 23460 Featherstone Road, Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
