Gary Clifford Hoath, 77, of Union City, passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the Laurels of Coldwater.
A memorial service with military honors will take place at 11:00 AM, Monday, May 14, 2018 at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta with Pastor Jeff Bream officiating. The family is being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Gary was born August 27, 1940 to Bernard A. and Marian (Sherman) Hoath in West Branch. After attending Wayne Memorial High School he entered the United States Marine Corps on June 13, 1958 in Detroit and was honorably discharged on September 12, 1961 attaining the rank of Lance Corporal.
He married Ardith Robertson on May 26, 1962 in Dearborn. Gary attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek completing engineering related courses. He completed his apprenticeship with the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers in 1968. He went on to become a journeyman with the Riggers Machinery Erectors Local #575 in Detroit, which became Ironworkers Local #25 in Novi.
Gary was the owner of Press-Room Equipment, Inc. in Union City from 1986 until he retired in 2002. The business primarily distributed and serviced metal stamping equipment. He had also worked out of the Riggers and Machinery Erectors Local #575 in Detroit from 1965 until 1975 and then at E. W. Bliss Company in Hastings as a sales and field service engineer from 1975 until 1986.
He was a member of the Precision Metalforming Association as their Program Chairman West-Michigan District from 1985 until 1990, the Battle Creek Engineers Club since 1980 where he served as President during 1984-1985 and on their Board of Directors from 1980 until 1985. He served from 1971 until 1974 on the Branch County Board of Commissioners where he served as the Board Vice-Chairman and as the Chairman of Ways and Means and Finance Committee. Gary was Chairman for 2 years on the Building Committee as a member of Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph Board of Health.
Gary was a 4-H Club Administrative leader of Whistle and Work from 1980 until 1984. He was a member of Northview Christian Church in Coldwater since 1998. Gary enjoyed Civil War history, reading, working in his barn, baseball and football-especially the University of Michigan. He loved welding and metal work. Gary will be missed as being a people person as he would light up a room with his smile.
Gary is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years Ardith; his children, Doug (Missy) Hoath of Concord, Marcia (Dan) Obert of Albion, Valerie (Loren) McLaughlin of Gladwin and Cliff (Neisa) Hoath of Union City; his siblings, Butch (Dee) Hoath of Coldwater, Joy Blanchard of Largo, Florida, Shelley (Dave) Matevia of Coldwater, Sharon (Rod) Forrester of Quincy and Jon (Diane) Hoath of Columbia, Tennessee; his grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley, Tenley, Jarrod, Mia, Zoe, Jonathon, Jacob, Lillian, Todd, Attica, Colt and Lita; his great grandchildren, Max, Mason, Callie and Chase. He is also survived by 8 nephews and 1 niece. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Karen Foote; his nephew, Dennie Hoath and his niece Faye Blashfield.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.