John McCord

John Kent McCord, 79, of New Buffalo passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Woodland Terrace, Bridgman, Michigan.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Road, Sawyer, with Reverend Jay Fast officiating. The family will meet with friends on Saturday from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be given to Harbert Community Church, PO Box 197, Harbert MI 49125; Chikaming Open Lands, 12291 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer MI 49125; or Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph MI 49085.

John was born October 29, 1936 in Blue Island, Illinois, the son of the late Leslie and Priscilla (Kent) McCord. He served in the US Army reserves as a First Lieutenant from 1958-63. On December 4, 1982 he married Regina “Ginny” Gustafson Silvey in Hinsdale, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois with degrees in accounting and economics. He owned and operated McCord and Associates where he developed award-winning computer programs for the baking industry. A long time resident of Western Springs, Illinois, he retired to Michigan in 1997. He was a faithful member of Harbert Community Church, served as treasurer and developed early computer programs for the church with Adrian VanGinhoven. He served on the Berrien County Board of Health. He was on the Board of Directors for the 1st National Bank of Blue Island, a bank that his great grandfather Ira McCord helped establish. John enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Chikaming Country Club. He belonged to the University Club, Chicago and Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Ginny; step-sons - Steve (Sallie) Silvey, Scott (Janette) Silvey and Shawn (Cynthia) Silvey; a sister - Nancy (James) Bronson II; grandchildren - Patricia (Steven) Salzmann, Elizabeth (Thomas) Healy, Terence Silvey, John (Chelsey) Silvey, Kayla Silvey and Cayley Strait; great grandson - Charles Salzmann; nieces and nephews - Jean Wilson, James (Anne) Bronson III, Bruce (Dawn) Bronson, Rae Leir, Jane Flannigan, Beth Dykstra, Laura (Stjepan) Dragash, John (Valerie) Dykstra and many great nieces and nephews.