Lewis David Houseman
January 3rd, 1935 - October 30th, 2024
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Lewis's Obituary
Lewis Houseman, 89, of Decatur, MI entered into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on October 30, 2024 with family by his side. Born on January 3, 1935, to Henry and Beth (Gillesby) Houseman, Lewis led a life marked by dedication to his faith, family, and country.
A graduate of Decatur High School, he completed his secondary education at Western Michigan University, followed by Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Agriculture at Michigan State University. In July of 1965, he met the love of his life, Loraine DeFeyter, and didn’t waste any time securing his future partner for life - they were engaged to be married 6 weeks later!
Lewis believed strongly in education and spent 27 years teaching high school chemistry and science in Decatur, along with several years of teaching English at Southwestern Michigan College. He also enjoyed sports (“Go Blue!!” rang through his household on any given Saturday!) and early on in his career, Lewis served as the high school’s Athletic Director, along with keeping stats for many of the school’s sports. After retiring from public education, Lewis began his second career working at the Van Buren Soil and Water Conservation District where he was instrumental in developing an irrigation scheduling program which served as a statewide model for specialty crop producers.
Lewis loved the Lord and as an active member of The Gideons International, he was passionate about spreading the Gospel to anyone who would take a Bible. He was an active member of his church, singing in the choir and serving many years as a Deacon and an Elder. Lewis was also proud to serve his country, entering active duty for the United States Army in 1957, and later retiring from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1993.
Lewis is survived by his loving wife, Loraine; daughter, Elaine (Dan) Mroczek; and nieces and nephews, Carol (Fleming) Williams, Sara Houseman, Rachel Houseman, Jeff Nelson, and Jim Nelson. Preceding him in passing are his parents, Henry and Beth Houseman; son, Mark Houseman; siblings, Elsie Fleming, Henry Frank Houseman, and Dorothy Nelson; and nephew, David Houseman. Memorials may be made to New Hope Community Church of Decatur or The Gideons International (https://www.gideons.org).
A celebration of Lewis’s life will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Decatur New Hope Community Church, 319 1/2 W. Delaware St., Decatur with Pastor Ross Tarantino officiating. All are invited to stay for a time of food and fellowship following the service at the church.
A graduate of Decatur High School, he completed his secondary education at Western Michigan University, followed by Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Agriculture at Michigan State University. In July of 1965, he met the love of his life, Loraine DeFeyter, and didn’t waste any time securing his future partner for life - they were engaged to be married 6 weeks later!
Lewis believed strongly in education and spent 27 years teaching high school chemistry and science in Decatur, along with several years of teaching English at Southwestern Michigan College. He also enjoyed sports (“Go Blue!!” rang through his household on any given Saturday!) and early on in his career, Lewis served as the high school’s Athletic Director, along with keeping stats for many of the school’s sports. After retiring from public education, Lewis began his second career working at the Van Buren Soil and Water Conservation District where he was instrumental in developing an irrigation scheduling program which served as a statewide model for specialty crop producers.
Lewis loved the Lord and as an active member of The Gideons International, he was passionate about spreading the Gospel to anyone who would take a Bible. He was an active member of his church, singing in the choir and serving many years as a Deacon and an Elder. Lewis was also proud to serve his country, entering active duty for the United States Army in 1957, and later retiring from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1993.
Lewis is survived by his loving wife, Loraine; daughter, Elaine (Dan) Mroczek; and nieces and nephews, Carol (Fleming) Williams, Sara Houseman, Rachel Houseman, Jeff Nelson, and Jim Nelson. Preceding him in passing are his parents, Henry and Beth Houseman; son, Mark Houseman; siblings, Elsie Fleming, Henry Frank Houseman, and Dorothy Nelson; and nephew, David Houseman. Memorials may be made to New Hope Community Church of Decatur or The Gideons International (https://www.gideons.org).
A celebration of Lewis’s life will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Decatur New Hope Community Church, 319 1/2 W. Delaware St., Decatur with Pastor Ross Tarantino officiating. All are invited to stay for a time of food and fellowship following the service at the church.
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