Joseph Richard Garant

Joseph R. Garant, age 89, of Caseville, formerly of Flint, died Sunday, October 9, 2005 at his home after a brave battle with cancer.

Joe was born September 19, 1916 in the home of his late parents Alex and Agnes (LaLonde) Garant in Flint. Joe married Doris O’Connor in 1935 and she preceded him in death in 1981. He then married Evelyn Halleck in 1984, she also preceded him in death, dying in 2000. Joe married Rose Marie (nee Maguire) Osmond on July 3, 2004 at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville.

Joe retired from GM in 1975 after 30 years employment. When he retired he was the superintendent of the Fisher Body Plant in Flint. Joe had participated in the sit-down strike in 1936 against GM. After many years of camping in Caseville, Joe moved there permanently in 1976. He was a member of St. Roch Catholic Church, the Caseville Eagles, and the Caseville Retirement Club. He enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, and spending time with his friends and family.

Joe is survived by his wife Rose Marie; daughters Shirley (David) Teggerdine of Howell, Betty (Dave) Clevenger of Fenton and Sally Justus of Caseville; 7 step-children; 15 great-grandchildren and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother Ernest (Dorothy) Garant of Holly, Leah Allard of Indiana and Lori (Verl) Winningham of Fenton.

He was preceded in death by his wives Doris and Evelyn; daughter Barbara Jean Stanfill; sisters Edna Mills, Rose Stevens and Lucille Forbes and brothers Andrew, William and Leonard Garant.

A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville, with Fr. Ken Yaroch presiding. Burial will be in Flint Memorial Park.

Visitation will be 2-8 Tuesday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville and from 9:00 AM Wednesday at church until the time of Mass. There will be an Eagle’s Ritual at 6:00 PM Tuesday and a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Michael Osmond and Heartland Hospice for their help during Joe’s illness. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice.