Oct. 9, 1926 — Jan. 15, 2016

Gordon “Gordy” E. Gwilt, 89, of Dowagiac, passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in his home at the Mill Pond in Dowagiac, Michigan.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at First Christian Church, 201 Oak St., Dowagiac, Michigan with Reverend Melody Wallace            officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church in his memory. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Gordy online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Gordy was born on Oct. 9, 1926, in Dowagiac, Michigan to Clare and Marie (Lyons) Gwilt. Gordy graduated from Dowagiac Central High in 1944. After graduation he proudly served his country in the United States Army. Upon returning home he completed his education at Hillsdale College graduating in 1951. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.  Gordy married the former Janet Fox at the First United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Oct. 5, 1951.

They celebrated 61 years of marriage before her passing in 2013.  Gordy along with his wife Janet owned and operated Gwilt’s Paint Shop in Dowagiac for many years. Gordy was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Dowagiac. He was a member of the Civitan Club, was a coach for the Special Olympics, and was instrumental in founding the Spring Fling Dance. Gordy was also a member of the Elks Club and the Senior Elks golf league. He was a founding member of the 7-28 club. Gordy was an avid fan of all the Dowagiac Chieftain Sporting events. Gordy loved his family, they where the light of his life, all you had to do was just ask him.

Gordy is survived by his children, Sally (Terry) Matthews of Dowagiac, Ed (Juanita) Gwilt of Grosse Pointe Park, Julie (Larry) Hewitt of Dowagiac, Peggy (Bruce) Willis of Dowagiac, Mimi (Cort) Otterbein of Birmingham, Michigan,  Nancy (Rob) Northrop of Dowagiac, Tom (Sue) Gwilt of Dowagiac, Tony (Jennifer) Gwilt of Troy and Joe Gwilt of Dowagiac; grandchildren Lisa (Gregg) Speaks, Ron (Heidi) Matthews, Phillip and Patrick Nauert, Laura, Katie and Clay Hewitt, Rebecca Willis, Bruce (Brittany) Willis, Jr., Rachael (John) Fountain, Ashley Willis, Kyle, Kelsey and Keith Otterbein, Jeromy Northrop, Claire, Meghan and Gordon Edward Gwilt; great grandchildren Drew and Anna Speaks, Isobel Matthews, Isabella Akers, Trip Willis and Mari Fountain; also surviving are his three sisters, Claire Marie Merrild of Albion, Martha Cox of Dowagiac and Jo Seiman of Crown Point, Indiana.

Gordy was preceded in death by his wife Janet in 2013 and a grandson, Mark Willis in 1980.