This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: LABATT, GHERING, MCMULLEN, MARTIN, BARTON, PLOEHN, BRAYTON Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22184/mb.ashx Message Board Post: LA BATT, Dee Walter Age 91 Of Kalamazoo Died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008 at Friendship Village following a long illness. He was on March 24, 1916 in Old Mission, MI, the son of Walter Angus and Florence Irene (Ghering) LaBatt. He was raised on a fruit farm in Old Mission and it was there that he developed two life long avocations, gardening and fishing. Dee graduated from Traverse City High School in 1934. He obtained a B.S. Degree from Michigan State University and an M.A. Degree from Western Michigan University. From 1955 to 1960, Dee was a science teacher at Mendon High School. He was a Biology Instructor at W.M.U. until 1963. Dee joined the biology department at Ferris State University in 1963 and retired as associate professor of Botany in the fall of 1979. During his retirement years, Dee became an accomplished vintner of fruit wines. His small orchard and strawberry beds provided quality produce for the finished product. Dee and his wife, Mary, attended several Elderhostel seminars, including Ireland in 1988 a! nd England in 1991. Dee was an active member of the Michigan Botanical Club where he was an acknowledged expert on the flora of the Newaygo Prairie. He was active in the Michigan Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy. Dee is fondly remembered by colleagues and friends and will be lovingly remembered by his family. Dee was married to Mary (McMullen) LaBatt on Nov. 23, 1938, in East Lansing. She survives, along with four children, Peter LaBatt (Susan) of Oxford, MI, Walter LaBatt (Judith) of O'Fallon, IL, Barbara Martin (James) of Muskegon, and Elizabeth LaBatt of Big Rapids; four grandchildren, Kimberly (Ploehn) Martin, MD, Philip Martin (Angel), Michael Barton (Marcie) and Suzanne LaBatt; three great-grandchildren, Alexander Ploehn, Alissa and Jessica Martin; two nephews, Charles Brayton and David LaBatt; one niece, Maxine Brayton. He was preceded in death by his parents; older sister, Margaret; younger brother, James and a grandson, Eric Barton. Cremation has been con! ducted. A memorial service will be announced in the spring. Memorials are suggested to either the Heartland Hospice, or the Friend's Fund at Friendship Village. Online register & condolences may be sent at: www.eickhofffuneralhome.com Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 1/29/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.