Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 12/25/2002

John Hastings

Feb. 7, 1929 - Dec. 21, 2002

John Hastings, 73, of Robinson Street, South Bend, Ind., passed away of natural causes at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, in his home.

Mr. Hastings was born Feb. 7, 1929, to David and Mary Beth (Miller) Hastings in Battle Creek, Mich.

On Dec. 25, 1956, John married the former Ms. Alice Hathaway in Arleta, Calif. Mrs. Hastings survives. He is also survived by two sons, William Boyer of Tucson, Ariz., and Robert Boyer Sr. of Bremerton, Wash.; three daughters, Rebecca McCarthy and Barbara Watts of Osceola, Ind., and Brenda Bartle of South Bend; a stepbrother, William Miller, and a sister, Dorothy Woods, both of Battle Creek; and by 92 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola, and services will be conducted by Bishop Jeff Holloway at 10 a.m. today in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Park Place, Mishawaka. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Mr. Hastings was a World War II era veteran serving in both the Marines and Army Air Corps before being honorably discharged in 1955. Mr. Hastings enjoyed collecting and dealing in antiques. He and his wife Alice were the former owners of Alice's Antiques and Johnny's Junk shop for many years. John also retired from Supreme Corporation in Elkhart, Ind., as a chassis prep worker in 2000.

Memberships include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Moose Lodge, American Legion, VFW and DAV.

Donations may be made in memory of John Hastings to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to the American Cancer Society.