John H. Townsend

BRISTOL — John H. Townsend, 53, of Bristol, passed away at Elkhart General Hospital following an apparent heart attack at 9:56 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 2017.

He was born in Cassopolis, Michigan, July 10, 1964, to the late Gerald and Rosaline (Whitmyer) Townsend and later married Donna M. (Soderbloom) Hurd in Iron River, Michigan, on July 1, 2000. She survives at home after 17 wonderful years of marriage.

Also surviving are his stepdaughter Brandie Hurd of Bristol; grandchildren Gregory Hurd (Kimberly Butler) and Jimmie, Aubree and Eastayn O’Dell; brothers Mike (Carol) and Larry Townsend of Cassopolis and Jerry (Linda) Townsend of Dowagiac, Michigan; and sisters Connie Townsend of Dowagiac and Theresa (Dennis Calkins) Townsend of Niles, Michigan and his twin sister Jan Basker of South Bend, who misses him dearly. 

He also leaves behind an extended family including his brother-in-law Mike O’Dell; his beloved pet companions Sheena and Nala, whom he considered children as well, and several nieces and nephews. 

Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is honored to host John’s celebration of life with a viewing from 5-7 p.m Friday, July 21. 

Friends and family are invited to gather for fellowship and the sharing of stories about John. 

In accordance with the family’s wishes, cremation will follow with a family memorial service to be held at a later date.

John worked for Phillips Products (later known as Dexter Ventline) of Bristol for more than 30 years. 

Although he was known as a man of few words, John loved his job and enjoyed the time he spent working and joking with his co-workers. 

He was also a devout family man as well, and he would always say how his wife and grandchildren made his world complete. 

An avid outdoorsman, John lived to fish and cherished his ability to take his grandchildren up to their 170-year-old family farm in Cassopolis where he would pass on the angling tradition to them. 

He will be best remembered for being a die-hard Michigan Wolverine fan, rooting for No. 48 Jimmy Johnson whenever he watched NASCAR, and his appreciation for sunrises and rainbows after storms.

Memorial donations may be given to Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis in John’s name. 

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