WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Howard A. Gest, age 82, of Burr Oak, went to be with his Lord and savior Thursday, March 27, 2014, at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak.
He was born Sept. 4, 1931, a son of the late Leo and Eureath (Mitchell) Gest.
Howard had been a resident of his beloved Burr Oak for the majority of his life.
On Nov. 2, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris M. Gest, in Burr Oak. She passed away Jan. 21, 2009.
In his younger years, he was a milk hauler for Constantine Creamery, where he had been employed for a number of years. He retired after 10 years as the maintenance supervisor for Burr Oak.
Howard had been involved in many activities around Burr Oak. He was a volunteer firefighter and a reserve police officer for Burr Oak. Howard also supported Burr Oak Schools, especially the girls’ softball team. He helped build the gym for Burr Oak Schools, earning him a Gold Card. He was a true outdoorsman, loving to hunt, fish, cut wood and farm. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends at his lake cottage on Long Lake. Howard’s biggest love of all would be his children and his grandchildren.
Surviving are his children, Robert (Pat) Gest, Patricia (Shawn) Seeba and Debora (Michael) Poley, all of Burr Oak; grandchildren Jenifer (John E.) Taylor-Davis, Sara (Bryon) Freeman, Melissa Poley and John Poley; a great-granddaughter, Alayna; two stepgrandchildren, David Downing and JoAnn Downing; and a sister, Janice Carol Perry. The family would like to thank Diane Kline and all the home health caregivers, as well Julie and Ray Skaggs of Skaggs Assisted Living for the special care they gave to our dad.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Doris M. Gest; his parents, Leo and Eureath; brothers Thomas Alva Gest, Richard Irvin Gest, Joseph Leo Gest, Harold D. Gest, Leo E. Gest and Carl C. Gest; and sisters Laura Eileen Lampe and Emma Pauline Fiebelkorn.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Howard A. Gest will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Burr Oak United Methodist Church, The Rev. John Sterner will officiate. Interment will follow in Burr Oak Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be directed to Burr Oak United Methodist Church, 105 S. 4th St. Burr Oak, MI 49030.
His obituary is also available at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be made.
