A longtime figure within Cass County politics died late Monday night, following a boating accident at Shaveshead Lake in Cassopolis, according to officials with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

Larry Malsch, 71, of Cassopolis, drowned after his boat capsized while him and a friend, 56-year-old Christopher Habic, were out at the lake, at around 11:04 p.m. After being treated by authorities and first responders, Malsch was rushed to Elkhart General Hopsital where he was pronounced dead.

According to the account Habic gave to authorities, the two men were sinking Christmas trees into Shaveshead Lake that night in order to enhance the fishing within that area. At the time of the accident, Habic was on shore while Malsch was still onboard the capsized boat.

Habic attempted to use another watercraft to retrieve his friend when he too fell in the water. He then swam the rest of the distance to his companion, bringing Malsch back to shore. Habric refused further medical treatment from SEPSA medics at the scene.

Malsch was a familiar face to many within the Dowagiac, Cassopolis and Porter Township areas. The Cassopolis man had served as a member of Dowagiac City Council, from 1978-1986, where he withdrew from a race against Wayne Comstock. He later became a member of the Cass County Board of Commissioners in 1996, being one of the few county politicians to hold a position on both city council and the county board.

Malsch resigned from the position in 2003, though, after being appointed as Porter Township supervisor, replacing the outgoing Larry Carroll. He only lasted in the new role for a year, though, resigning due to controversy over discussions of the installation of a sewer plant within the township, citing the township board did not have “the good of the township” as its focus.

Also assisting deputies at the scene were crews with the Porter Township Fire Department.