John Newcomer

John Alan Newcomer, 55, of Baroda left his loving family suddenly, and entered Heaven's Pearly Gates on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. His Lord and his mother were there to welcome him. He was born on December 14, 1951, in Rockford, Illinois to John I. and Helen (Hanna) Newcomer.

John graduated from John Brown University in 1973, and got his MBA from the University of Wisconsin. John retired (as he used to say) after 25 years from Peoples State Bank. After that, his first business he started was Ancient Paths based on Jeremiah 6:16. He then went into business with his college roommate, and they started Doxology Records, a Christian recording company. Because of Doxology, he and his wife were invited to the White House, something he never tired of telling people! He and his son, Andrew, also ran Doxology Music, a Christian Choir music company. Recently, he has been working at Southwestern Medical Clinic as a physician recruiter. John has served on the Baroda Township Planning Commission, REAP, Five Pines Ministries, Camp Emmaus, John Schindler Ministries, St. Joe Today, and Southwest Michigan Planning Commission.

John has touched a lot of lives with his compassion, love, and humor. He enjoyed people and he loved to talk! He loved the Old Testament, and loved teaching it to his Sunday School Class. Those who knew him will remember him as someone who loved his family and friends, someone who loved the Lord, someone who loved his country, and an amazing pack rat!

Visitation

Sunday October 21, 2007 , 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel

Funeral Service

Monday October 22, 2007 , 1:00 PM at Lakeshore Baptist Church

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1-888-579-7953 Code: 74680P


Facts Born: December 14, 1951
Place of Birth: Rockford, Illinois
Death: October 18, 2007
Place of Death: Saint Joseph, Michigan
Survived By his wife, Susan Gast, whom he met at John Brown University. He said it was love at first sight. They have been happily married since December 29, 1972. No one could have loved his wife more than he. His great pride and joy were his three boys – Pete, Ben, and Andrew. They would tell you that he was the greatest dad, and he loved them, would do anything for them, and that he could do anything and everything. Our dad was one of a kind. He had a joke for every moment and everything you said. He was someone anyone could go to for a problem and he would fix it or tell them what he thought was the right thing to do. No matter what, he always knew how to put a smile on your face. We're all going to miss you dad. He leaves behind many who love him, and will dearly miss him: his wife Susan; his sons Pete, Ben (fiancé Jessica Sutherland), and Andrew; his dad, John I. Newcomer; father- and mother-in-law, Don and Jule Gast; his brothers – Gary (Audrey) and Dave (Ann); Susan's sisters – Karin (Paul) Dilcher, Nancy (Larry) Martin, and Gretchen (Bill) Blakely; and many loving nieces and nephews Preceded in Death By his mother, Helen (Hanna) Newcomer

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Lakeshore Baptist Church, Five Pines Ministries, or Camp Emmaus.