Girts Berzins

Girts Berzins of Gull Lake (Richland), MI

Girts, age 82, died at the Heartland Health Care Center of Battle Creek, MI

Girts, the son of Janis and Laima (Petersons) Berzins, was born in Riga, Latvia and immigrated to the United States as a child. He served his country honorably and nobly during the Korean War as a member of the United States Army as a Sp3 with an artillery unit. Girts retired from the Michigan Department of Corrections where he had been a parole officer and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was an avid golfer playing many rounds at Gull Lake View Golf Courses with his cronies and continued at the 19th hole at the "Old" Bayview and The Dock at Bayview. Girts also enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating on Gull Lake.

Girts is survived by his fiance' of many years, Mary; dogs, Smokey and Misty; his nephews, Gundars (Andrea) Berzins of Milwaukee, WI and Matthew (Bonnie) Berzins and Christopher Berzins, both of Farmington Hills, MI; nieces, Lija (Jay) Voigt and Maija (Joe) Mayer, both of West Bend, WI as well as many dear friends. Girts was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Olavs and younger brother, Guntis.

The Graveside Service to celebrate Girts life will be held on Monday, September 18th at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the United States Army Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full military honors. Family and friends will continue Girts' life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon at The Dock at Bayview, 12504 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083 immediately following the Graveside Service. Girts' family will greet friends on Sunday, September 17th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Girts' honor may be directed to the Kalamazoo Humane Society, 4239 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 or the Michigan United Conservation Club, 2101 Wood Street, Lansing, MI 48912.