J. 'Army' Caswell

John Armand “Army” Caswell, 86, of Kewadin, formerly of Rockford and Northville, died at home Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014.

He was born on July 24, 1927, in Milford, Mich., the son of Clyde and Rita (Humphrey) Caswell.

Army’s family lived in Rockford, Mich., and he graduated from Rockford High School in 1945; where he was later honored through his induction to the Rockford High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Grand Rapids Junior College and then the University of Michigan, majoring in journalism. He then joined the Merchant Marines at the end of World War II as a cook. Army then was drafted into the Army and served as a Master Sergeant in Germany.

He was a Real Estate Agent in Rockford. He then worked in sales at Grand Rapids Brass, which was later purchased by Gulf & Western Industries. Army retired as the Vice-President of Sales and Manufacturing in 1985.

Army was a past member of the Rockford Lions Club and on the Board of Review for the Rockford Boy Scout’s Badges and Honors.

He was a hunter, fisherman and avid golfer. Army and his wife were members of the Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville for over 20 years and then the Silver Lake County Club in Rockford. When he moved with his wife to Kewadin in 2000, they joined A-ga-ming Golf Resort. He was a member of the Elk Rapids AMVETS Post #114.

Army is survived by his wife, Patty L. (VanLopik) Caswell; they were married on Aug. 12, 1950, when they eloped to Angola, Ind., with five other couples; children, Sandy (Bob) Foote of Traverse City, Candy Caswell of Lebanon, Ore., and Tom Caswell of Kalkaska; grandchildren, Heidi, Stephanie, Bret, Stacy, Kyrie, Janet, Kylene, Caroline and Kelsey; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Randy Caswell; and sister, Janeen Foster.

Cremation will take place. A celebration of Army’s life will be announced for this summer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elk Rapids AAMVETS Post #114, P.O. Box 144, Elk Rapids, MI 49629.

The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City to handle the arrangements. Please visit Army’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com to sign the guest book and share a message with his family.