DOWAGIAC, MI - Roy G. Gantt I, 88. Roy's life began on February 20, 1921, in Atlanta, GA, the youngest of seven sons belonging to John L. and Lydia (Pierce) Gantt. He was united in marriage to the former Blanche Cleveland on January 21, 1950 in Atlanta. Roy served his country in the United States Army through World War II, Korea and the beginning of Vietnam. He was present at the construction of the Berlin Wall in Europe, served as a prison guard at the Sugamo Prison in Japan, guarding Emperor Tojo and Tokyo Rose, and fought in the Aleutian Islands for 21/2 years. Roy made 72 parachute jumps in his career and was a jump master. He was a 1940 Golden Gloves champion, as well. After his military career from 1941- 1963, Roy worked for ten years in the RV industry in Elkhart. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with his family. His loving family includes his wife of 59 years Blanche Gantt of Dowagiac, their children Rhonda (Dale) Disterheft of Eau Claire, Roy ( Jenni Rafferty) Gantt of Westland, Mike (Jodi) Gantt of Dowagiac and Joe (Sharon) Gantt of Cochran, GA; grandchildren Shawn (Leslie) Disterheft of Redford Twp, Erin Disterheft of Galesburg, Corey Disterheft of Eau Claire, Stephanie (Adam) Finley of North Glenn, CO, Joe Phillipson of Dearborn Heights, Shannon Phillipson of Westland, Dana (Jason) Horne of Westland, Jeffery, Carly, Samuel and Christopher Gantt, all of Dowagiac, Joseph Gantt II of Lawrenceville, GA, Wesley Gantt of Cochran, GA, Rebecca ( Rodney) Martin and Ashley Spearman, all of Macon, GA; great-grandchildren Holden Disterheft, Aden Finley, Elaina Thompson, Nick Horne, Layla Horne, Connor Martin, Rylan Martin and Cameron Spearman and several nieces and nephews. Roy passed away at his home on Tuesday September 8, 2009. He is preceded in death by his brothers Harry, Jack, Ed, Jim, Guy, and Joe. His family will gather with friends on Friday from 2-3 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home where his funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. led by Chaplain Barbara Van Eck. He will be laid to rest with full military honors in Caldwell Cemetery, Eau Claire following the services. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Borgess Hospice.
Obituary, South Bend Tribune, Sept. 10, 2009
Ref., Obituary, SSDI, US WWII Army Enlistment Records 1938-1946, Web: Indiana, Michigan, Michana Genealogical Cemetery Index 1800-2010, Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-2011, United States Obituary Collection
Obituary, South Bend Tribune, Sept. 10, 2009
Ref., Obituary, SSDI, US WWII Army Enlistment Records 1938-1946, Web: Indiana, Michigan, Michana Genealogical Cemetery Index 1800-2010, Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-2011, United States Obituary Collection
DOWAGIAC, MI - Roy G. Gantt I, 88. Roy's life began on February 20, 1921, in Atlanta, GA, the youngest of seven sons belonging to John L. and Lydia (Pierce) Gantt. He was united in marriage to the former Blanche Cleveland on January 21, 1950 in Atlanta. Roy served his country in the United States Army through World War II, Korea and the beginning of Vietnam. He was present at the construction of the Berlin Wall in Europe, served as a prison guard at the Sugamo Prison in Japan, guarding Emperor Tojo and Tokyo Rose, and fought in the Aleutian Islands for 21/2 years. Roy made 72 parachute jumps in his career and was a jump master. He was a 1940 Golden Gloves champion, as well. After his military career from 1941- 1963, Roy worked for ten years in the RV industry in Elkhart. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending time with his family. His loving family includes his wife of 59 years Blanche Gantt of Dowagiac, their children Rhonda (Dale) Disterheft of Eau Claire, Roy ( Jenni Rafferty) Gantt of Westland, Mike (Jodi) Gantt of Dowagiac and Joe (Sharon) Gantt of Cochran, GA; grandchildren Shawn (Leslie) Disterheft of Redford Twp, Erin Disterheft of Galesburg, Corey Disterheft of Eau Claire, Stephanie (Adam) Finley of North Glenn, CO, Joe Phillipson of Dearborn Heights, Shannon Phillipson of Westland, Dana (Jason) Horne of Westland, Jeffery, Carly, Samuel and Christopher Gantt, all of Dowagiac, Joseph Gantt II of Lawrenceville, GA, Wesley Gantt of Cochran, GA, Rebecca ( Rodney) Martin and Ashley Spearman, all of Macon, GA; great-grandchildren Holden Disterheft, Aden Finley, Elaina Thompson, Nick Horne, Layla Horne, Connor Martin, Rylan Martin and Cameron Spearman and several nieces and nephews. Roy passed away at his home on Tuesday September 8, 2009. He is preceded in death by his brothers Harry, Jack, Ed, Jim, Guy, and Joe. His family will gather with friends on Friday from 2-3 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home where his funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. led by Chaplain Barbara Van Eck. He will be laid to rest with full military honors in Caldwell Cemetery, Eau Claire following the services. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Borgess Hospice.
Obituary, South Bend Tribune, Sept. 10, 2009
Ref., Obituary, SSDI, US WWII Army Enlistment Records 1938-1946, Web: Indiana, Michigan, Michana Genealogical Cemetery Index 1800-2010, Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-2011, United States Obituary Collection
Obituary, South Bend Tribune, Sept. 10, 2009
Ref., Obituary, SSDI, US WWII Army Enlistment Records 1938-1946, Web: Indiana, Michigan, Michana Genealogical Cemetery Index 1800-2010, Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-2011, United States Obituary Collection
