Louis E. Postula, Jr.

Louis E. Postula, age 86 of Hastings, passed away suddenly on June 22, 2022. Louis was born on July 19, 1935, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the son of Louis, Sr. and Sonia (Kavalhuhuna) Postula. His family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1937, and then onto the family farm in Marshall in 1946.

Louis received his US citizenship at the age of 18. He was a 1953 graduate of Marshall High School, where he was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball (All-State), track (State Champion in Pole Vaulting), most versatile athlete of the year, Bill Holt Award Winner, and other record-holding awards. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1959, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, where he was a member of the 1955 Rose Bowl Football Team.

In 1960, Louis married Jackie Mapes, which ended in divorce in 1983. He served in the Army reserves from 1962-1967 (1st Lieutenant). Louis worked for Loctite Corporation as a sales engineer for 30 years, retiring in the late 1990's.

Louis was a member of the Hastings Country Club, the Bayshore Yacht Club, and St. Rose of Lima Church. He wintered in Naples, Florida during retirement, where he enjoyed swimming in the gulf and coffee with the Naples Pier Coffee Group. He liked golfing at the Hastings Country Club, taking his sailboat "Happy Sales" out on the waters of Lake Michigan, and in recent years you would always see him on the Pickleball court in both Battle Creek, MI and Naples, FL. He enjoyed playing Bridge with his buddies in Hastings. He especially loved spending time with his family and travel, including Europe, India, China, Brazil, Hawaii, and most of the United States.

Louis was preceded in death by his father Louis, mother Sonia, brothers William and Victor Postula.

He is survived by his children Sheryl (Patrick) Clement, Cindy (Kevin) Kennedy, and his life partner of 24 years, Patricia Smith, whom he met in the 3rd grade, and her children and grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Louis can be made to the National MS Society, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate, PO Box #91891, Washington, D.C. 20090.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2022, from 11:00 AM – Noon, with a service to follow at Noon at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058, Dr. Jim Atkinson officiating. Interment the next day at St. Mary's Cemetery, Marshall, Michigan. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.