Guy Villars

IRON MOUNTAIN - Guy M. Villars, 92, of Iron Mountain died Sunday, March 1, 2009, at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford. Guy was born May 19, 1916, in Urbana, Ill., son of Vert and Nellie (Current) Villars. He graduated from Urbana High School and the University of Illinois. Guy was employed by the Internal Revenue Service in Indianapolis, retiring in 1976. He married Joan Benson in 1937 in Urbana, Ill. She preceded him in death in 1975. He then married Carol Gardner in 1976, and she preceded him in death in 2007. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre in the U.S. Army 32nd Division, 126th Infantry in Australia and New Guinea. After contracting malaria and recuperating, he was assigned to the 34th Division, 149th Regiment. After the war, Guy remained in the Army Reserve where he served in military intelligence, leaving the service in 1967 with a rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and National Rifle Association and a member of the Golden K Club. He enjoyed being with his family, helping others and was a trophy winning pistol marksman. He is survived by one daughter, Patricia Villars of Indianapolis, and two sons, Larry (Carolyn) Gardner of Granger, Ind., and Jim (Marianne) Gardner of Iron Mountain; five grandchildren, Todd (Stephanie) Gardner, Karen (Brant) Duhn, Andy (Christina) Gardner, Steve Gardner and Cristina Gardner, and nine great-grandchildren, Caroline, Samuel and Oliver Gardner, Noah and Avery Gardner, C.J. and Krysta Ann Gardner, and Cassandra and Alexis Duhn; and nine nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his son, Steven G. Villars; his sister, Ruth V. Braden; two brothers, Lowell Villars and Russell Villars; and a grandson, Clifford Gardner. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. The funeral service will follow Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Golden K Club in Iron Mountain. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Guy Villars online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.