Loyd Babcock

Loyd Babcock, 80, of Vicksburg passed away on July 5 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan after a long battle with illness.

Loyd was born on April 2, 1938 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Clarence and Myrtle Babcock. He graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview in 1956. Loyd met his wife of 60 years, Wanda, in 1955 on a blind date. They were then married in 1958. During that same year Loyd began working in road construction. Wanda and their children followed Loyd throughout the state of Michigan as he helped build many of the state’s current highways. Loyd also served in the Marine Corps Reserve for three years during this time. After 8 years and 18 moves working road construction, Loyd and Wanda decided to settle their family in Vicksburg, Michigan where he found a job working for General Motors. Loyd had a strong work ethic and was always willing to help others out when there was a need. Loyd was also considered a craftsman by many. He had a creative mind and could build or invent anything once he set his mind to it.

Many knew Loyd as a private person but those who knew him personally enjoyed his sense of humor and fun- loving teasing. Most importantly, Loyd was a loving husband and father. He also enjoyed doting over his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family was everything to him.

Loyd is survived by his wife: Wanda; three children: Cynthia Carpenter of Portage, Diana (Phillip) Haring of Vicksburg, Joseph (Loree) Babcock of Vicksburg; 8 grandchildren: Bethany, Brittany, Bailey, Zachary, Kyler, Quintin, Eric, Evan; and 3 great-grandchildren: Elijah, Adelaide, and Oliver. Loyd is preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers and 1 sister; son-in-law: Richard Carpenter; and grand-daughter: Zoey Haring.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 9 at McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home in Vicksburg from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. There will be an additional visitation at 12 noon before the funeral services which will take place on Tuesday, July 10 at 1:00pm at the Chapman Memorial-Nazarene Church in Vicksburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Heartland Healthcare Center in Three Rivers or to Chapman Memorial Church or Indian Lake Nazarene Campground. Please visit Loyd’s memory page at www.mccowensecord.com where you can archive a photo, share a memory, and sign the guest book.