SOUTH BEND – Gerald “J.D” Lee Davis, 70, Lakeville, passed away at 9:45 p.m. Aug. 13, 2015, at his home. He was born Dec. 16, 1944, in South Bend, to Vaughn E. and Della K. Smith Davis. On May 1, 1961, in South Bend, he married Sally Ilene Mikel, who preceded him in death March 7, 2001. He was a lifelong area resident. He was the co-founder of Lake City Heat Treating Corporation, Warsaw. Surviving are a daughter, Julianna Beth (and spouse Brad) Whiteman, Lakeville; four sons: Douglas Lee Davis, Warsaw; William Glenn (and spouse Tina) Davis, Lakeville; Steven Bret Davis, Plymouth; John Brendan Davis, South Bend; seven grandsons; seven granddaughters; six great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; two sisters, Nancy A. (and spouse Gifford) Torbenson, South Bend, and Patricia J. (and spouse Race) Hickman, Lakeville; one brother, William E. (and spouse Deborah) Davis, Plymouth; and a special niece, Priscilla Jane Price, South Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Ally Marie Davis, who died Nov. 22, 1994; and an infant brother, William G. Davis. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, with his son, John B. Davis, officiating. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Riley’s Children Foundation, 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46206; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences via www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
