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Garth H. Piper

March 1, 2018
Galesburg, MI

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Passed away Thursday evening, March 1, 2018 at the age of 96. He was born November 23, 1921 in Augusta, MI to the late Harland and Lula (Tyler) Piper. He was the 4th child born to his parents and had 8 siblings (Marian, Margaret, Harriett, George, Gale, Ione, Gerald and Marilyn). He was born just after World War I and just prior to the Great Depression. Growing up on the family farm in Climax, Garth grew up in humble surroundings with little money. As the eldest male child, he had much of the responsibility on the farm where his work ethic was established. He attended school in Scotts and graduated from Scotts High School in 1940. In school, he was quite the baseball player, well known for his tremendous curveball. In May 1944, he married RosaLee (Olds) Piper and they had 1 child. On August 5, 1961, he married Marjorie A. (Olson-Selby-Smoke) Piper and they had 3 children. In his professional career, he worked at General Foods (Post Cereals) for 32 years prior to retirement. In addition to his full time career at General Foods, he was also a part time farmer on his farm in Climax. Later in life, he spent much of his time travelling the roads with Marjorie, attending the numerous sporting events of the many kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Preceding him in death were his wife of 54 years: Marjorie Piper; parents: Harland and Lula Piper; and siblings: Marian, Margaret, Harriett, George, Gale & Gerald. Surviving are four children: NanLee (Mike) Palmatier, Garth (Lynette) Piper, Jr., Gilbert (Tracey) Piper and Garland (Dee) Piper; 7 step-children: Linda (Jerry) Piper, Ellen (Tom) Copeland, Avon (Sandy) Selby, Alan (Jennifer) Selby, Carla (Bud) Erskine, Carol (Scott) Case, and Carmen Smoke; 24 grandchildren: Tony, Lydia, Garrett, Grant, Megan, Chelsey, Alex, Maddie, Rob, Scott, Jeff, Mike, Crystal, LouAnn, Tom, April, Kevin, Matt, Kelly, Valerie, Kari, Heather, Michelle, Mindy; 42 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Ione Coburn and Marilyn Oswalt; and numerous nieces and nephews. Garth's family will greet friends on Wednesday, March 7, from 5-8 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Climax Chapel, 205 East Maple St., and from 10-11am before the funeral service at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 8, at Prairie Baptist Church, 11210 East PQ Avenue, Scotts. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Garth's name may be directed to Climax-Scotts Baseball Program. Please visit Garth's personalized webpage for driving directions or to leave a condolence to his family at www.langelands.com.