Joseph R. Sessions

Joseph Roy Sessions, 82, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his wife and children on June 16, 2018. Joe was born on February 21, 1936, to Colin and Dorothy (James) Sessions. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and stepmother, Leona Sessions.

Joe graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1954 and enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He served in Twentynine Palms, California, where he married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Gothberg. They were married for 63 years. After his military duty, he moved his family back to Battle Creek. He spent most of his career working for Kellogg Company as a laborer and then a sheet metal worker. He also served as the business agent for the American Federation of Grain Millers. He was a member of the Kellogg '25 Year Club' and retired after 32 years of service in 1991.

Joe loved playing golf, attending his granddaughters' sports events, watching the news, reading and learning about World War II, and napping.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joanne (Gothberg); his sister, Sandra (Dan) Determann; three daughters, Dawn Daw of Anaheim, California; Lori Chapman (Paul) of Holland, Michigan; and Dana Sessions of Desert Hot Springs, California; three granddaughters, Mallory (Adam) Smith; Taylor (Josh) Sundell; and Bailey Chapman; and three great grandchildren, Henry Howard Smith; Charles Joseph Smith; and Breckyn Rae Sundell.

Services to celebrate and honor Joe's life will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA, 92057. Semper Fi Fund supports combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured servicemen and servicewomen and has an A+ rating from CharityWatch. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.