Richard Claxton, 73

Richard E. Claxton, age 73, of White Pigeon, died Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at his home, following a one-year illness.
He was born July 28, 1943, in Constantine, a son of Russell and Illa (Sudlow) Claxton.
He was a White Pigeon and Constantine resident all his life, a graduate of White Pigeon High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam. He was a member of Mottville Bible Church and enjoyed auto racing and RC racing. He was a mechanic, employed at LaVerns Repair in Elkhart, from where he retired.
On Feb. 7, 1965, he married Barbara S. Harris at Mottville Bible Church. She survives, with his daughter, Susan (Lee) Stoneborner of Alamo; a son, David (Amy) Claxton of Elkhart; and two grandsons, Thiler and Lucas Claxton. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Virginia Claxton.
Relatives and friends may call from noon-2 p.m. Saturday at Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Michael Bender of Mottville Bible Church officiating. Interment will be in White Pigeon Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to Heartland Hospice of Kalamazoo.