George Milton Latchaw, beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather, passed away at home on December 6, 2009, at the age of 79, following a courageous fight against cancer. George's life began on July 19, 1930 and was the oldest of six children born to Russell John and Anna Hertha (Radseck) Latchaw, in Pullman, MI. He graduated from South Haven High School in 1950 and then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon returning home Korea, he married Barbara Ellen (Koerner) on September 18, 1953, his wife of 56 years Together they had six children: Barbara Ann (Leister W. II) Perrin, George James(Laura) Latchaw, Thomas Brian Latchaw Sr. (Regina), Judy Lynn Latchaw, Deborah Marie (Bill) Saintz, and Ruth Ellen (Michael) Zuroske all of Pullman, MI. The couple had 19 Grandchildren: Leister (Mary) Perrin III, James (Bridgette) Perrin & Richard (Jessica) Perrin, Travis (Stacey) Latchaw, Mary (Bob) Coon, Jimmy Latchaw, George (Amber) Latchaw Jr., Amanda (Nick) Nead, April (David) Manikham, Christine (Shawn) Sisson, Thomas Latchaw Jr. (Sarah), Ashley Latchaw (Chris), Bill Latchaw, Hayley Saintz, Ryan Saintz, Shanice Bosombath, Morgan Zuroske, and Bailey & Hayden Zuroske. Also are 38 Great-Grandchildren. George worked at the L. Perrigo Co. for 25 years and was a department head in the Liquids Department. He than worked for 27 years as a Sheriff's Deputy for Allegan County, and all at the same time while working on their family owned fruit farm for over 54 years (raising cherries, peaches, plums, pears & many varieties of apples and raising livestock). When he retired from the Allegan Co. Sheriffs Department, it was believed he was the oldest working deputy to retire in the state of Michigan at age 74. He was also a member of the Allegan County Reserves and enjoyed hunting and fishing and attending school sports games such as basketball. George and Barbara were vendors of the Allegan and Holland Farmer's Market where they were one of the first vendors on the market. Here they made many friends and to George everyday was a good day, and if you went someplace and didn't know people when you got there, he would know them before he would leave. George is survived by his wife, Barbara Ellen Latchaw, four daughters; Barbara Perrin, Judy Latchaw, Deborah Saintz & Ruth Zuroske, and one son: Thomas Latchaw Sr., all of Pullman. Also a sister Joyce (Ron) Herweyer of Jenison, three brothers; Gene (Jean) Latchaw of Fennville, Eric (Mary) Latchaw of Pullman and Russell (Cathy) Latchaw of Pullman, 19 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren and special friends Happy & Josie Rodriguez of Holland, MI. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, George James Latchaw; and a sister Esther (Latchaw) Slotman. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Chappell Funeral Home in Fennville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Casco United Methodist Church (corner of 66th & 109th Ave., South Haven, MI.) on Wednesday Dec. 9, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the Church. Pastor David Meister will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to the Casco United Methodist Church or St. Judes Children's Hospital. An online registry book is available at www.chappellfuneralhome.com