Gary Lynn Babbitt

Gary L. Babbitt passed away peacefully at his Mattawan, Michigan, home surrounded by his loving family on July 30, 2012, following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Mazie Babbitt and by two brothers - Jim and Robert Lee Babbitt. Surviving Gary are his wife of 51 years Joyce (Tasker); three daughters - Chris Babbitt (Jeff Campbell), Maria Babbitt (Jamie Melson), and Marcie (Chris) Haring; a son Jeffrey Babbitt; granddaughters Brandy Lyon (Josh Haughn), Rachel (Michael) Kuhn, and Gaia Babbitt; two great granddaughters - Lena and Holland Kuhn; one sister - Betty Bonnewell; and two brothers - Jerry (Ellen) Babbitt and Bob (Kay) Babbitt. Gary was born on July 29, 1938, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1956 and attended Western Michigan University. Gary married his high school sweetheart (Joyce Tasker) on February 4, 1961. He retired from Fort James Paper Co. in Kalamazoo in 1997 and enjoyed traveling, gambling, bowling, yardwork, and golf. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday August 4, 2012, at Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Rd, Kalamazoo. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, West Michigan Cancer Center, or Westwood U.M.C.