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Jack J. Champion
May 4, 1934 ~ June 18, 2015 (age 81) 81 Years OldShare using:
Jack J. Champion
May 4, 1934 ~ June 18, 2015
Jack J. Champion, 81, residing in Edwardsburg, MI and formerly of Mishawaka, IN, passed away at 10:39 pm Thursday, June 18, 2015 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. He was born May 4, 1934 in Fremont, IN to the late Firm and Fern Champion.
On October 4, 1957, Jack married Maryann (Whitney) Champion, who preceded him in death on October 26, 2002. On February 20, 2008, he was joined in love to Lequita “Lea” (Starnes) DeLaruelle, who survives. He is also survived by his children, Greg (Deb) Champion of Plymouth, Brad (Tracey) Champion of Mishawaka, Suzanne (Jon) West of Mishawaka and Brad (Michelle) DeLaruelle of Mt. Clemens, MI; grandchildren, Matthew Champion, Nathan Sanderson, Abbigale Wilber, Lindsey (Tim) Haig, Jake and Jonathen Lathem, Emily (Joel) Burdett, Gracey (Stuart) Holman, Laruelle (Steve) Wilds, Dexter West, Zack (Caitlin) DeLaruelle and Ken and Faylynn DeLaruelle; and fourteen great grandchildren; as well as one sister-in-law, Frieda (Leonard) Wentzell. He was preceded in death by his eleven siblings.
Jack had a very hard life of farming while growing up during the depression and through WW II. He enlisted in the Army in 1952 and served his country honorably through 1955. He and Maryann moved to Mishawaka in 1959 and started their family in 1963. Jack worked as a final finisher craftsman in the RV industry prior to retiring. He loved to fish, work in the yard and spend time with his family. Jack was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend, who was loved and respected by all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services for Jack will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Meggs Farm, 30102 US 12, Niles, MI 49120 (west on US 12, 2nd house on right past BeeBe Road). Military graveside honors and burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Friends may visit with the family for two hours prior to services Wednesday at the farm. Per Jack’s request, please dress casual (jeans are fine). Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, South Bend is assisting the family with arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jack may be donated to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or American Cancer Society of North Central Indiana, 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
Online condolences may be left for the Champion family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
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