Wilbur Fuller

Wilbur “Jack” Hastings Fuller, 95, of Bridgman passed away on Friday, April 4, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Road, Harbert, MI., with Reverend Jay Fast officiating. Friends may meet with the family on Tuesday from 5-7 PM at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, LaPorte County, IN. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Ln, St Joseph, MI 49085 or Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Road, Harbert, MI 49115.

Jack was born August 16, 1918 in Hobart, Indiana the son of the late John and Golda (Hastings) Fuller. On June 3, 1942 he married Bette Jean Watson and she preceded him in death on December 22, 2010. Jack was a WWII US Army veteran serving in both the European and Pacific theaters. Together with Bette in 1951 they started Jack & Jo’s Variety Store in Rolling Prairie, IN., and in 1955 moved to Bridgman where they owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store for the next 28 years. Jack was a life-long fan of traditional jazz. He took his family across the country to attend jazz fests, distributing copies of his CD recordings of traditional jazz. His life mantra became “every day each life should include a laugh, a hug, and a bit of jazz.”

Survivors include a son - Rick (Anna Kozak) Fuller of Bridgman; six grandchildren - Doug Anderson, Kevin (Lori) Anderson, Teresa Castagna, Ross (Betsy) Gilmore, Heather Gilmore, Calli (Antonio) Fuller-Chagoury; twelve great grandchildren; two great great granddaughters, and his sister - Beryl Fuller of Wisconsin.

Jack was also preceded in death by a daughter - Betty Gilmore in 2006; and his brother, Ted Fuller.

Visitation

5-7 PM ,Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel
9191 Red Arrow Hwy Bridgman, MI 49106

Funeral Service

11 AM ,Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Harbert Community Church
6444 Harbert Road Harbert, MI 49115

Commital Service

Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Oak Grove Cemetery
Mill Creek, IN 46365