Charles Davis, Jr.

Charles Milton Davis, Jr., 77 of East Leroy, passed away peacefully into heaven on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Charles was born March 17, 1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Charles Milton and Charlotte Emma (Longwell) Davis, Sr. His family resided in Hastings until the start of WWII when they moved to Dearborn. After the war, they returned to Hastings where Charles graduated from high school in 1953. following high school, Charles worked as a meat cutter in stores in Hasting and Battle Creek. In 1965 he went to work for the Nabisco Company and in 1967 was employed by Ralston Purina Company. He remained at Ralston until his retirement in 1995 with over 27 years of service. In January of 1954, Charles married JoAnn (Tobias) Davis. Charles and JoAnn moved to East Leroy in 1967 where they raised Quarter Horses and operated the Davis Quarter Horse Farm. Charles loved country life, his horses, his dogs and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister: MaryAnn Wiese. Surviving is his wife: JoAnn Davis of East Leroy; daughter: Debbie Davis of East Leroy; son: Cameron (Sharon) Davis of Athens; granddaughter: Jennifer Davis of Battle Creek and her fiancé, Jerrod Johnson; grandson: Jeffrey (Ashley) Davis of Battle Creek; sister: Charlene (Gerry) Gonyou of Owosso; brother: Robert (Sandy) Davis of Hastings and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday at North Athens Cemetery with Rev. Sandra Gastian officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence.

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