Gene L. Babich

Gene L. Babich of Caro, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at the Tuscola County Medical Care Community in Caro. Gene was born April 30, 1940 in Cass City, the son of the late Louis and Ila Fern (Reynolds) Babich and grew up on the family dairy and navy bean farm. He was a graduate of Cass City High School, Class of 1958, and spent two years at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, before finishing his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Central Michigan University in January of 1964 and a Master of Arts Degree from Central Michigan University in 1969. Following graduation, Gene had a teaching position waiting for him at Caro Community Schools where he spent thirty-six and a half years teaching full-time, mostly at the fourth grade level, retiring in 2000. He then spent another twenty years as a regular substitute. Not one to be idle and having grown up with a strong work ethic, Gene spent his summers as a bee and gypsy moth inspector for the State of Michigan.

Gene was a member of the Lamotte Missionary Church in Marlette where he served many years as a head usher, greeter, and a volunteer at Bayshore Family Camp. He was also a member of the Caro Moose Lodge and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. Gene loved watching the Weather Channel, and being the head cook of the “Babich Taco Night” that extended to include many friends. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed his daily visits for morning coffee with friends that extended to two to three times a day once he retired fulltime.

Left to cherish his memory are his two children and their spouses, Marc Babich & Barbara Zajdel, D.O. of New Hudson, Kristina & Michael Phipps of Caro; four grandchildren, Jacob, Allison, D. J., and Levi; two siblings and their spouses, Bernard & Lynn Babich of Deford and Illa & Larry Sherman of Largo, Florida; four nephews and nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14, 2023 at the Lamotte Missionary Church, 6445 Adams Road at North Van Dyke Road, Marlette, MI 48453 with Pastors Gregory Reynolds and J.T. Mabe officiating. Burial will follow later in the day at Novesta Township Cemetery with Pastor Matthew Reynolds officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to Lamotte Missionary Church or Imagination Library in memory of Gene.