Obituary for Barry Latislaw

Barry Edward Latislaw, 62, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph on Thursday, November 2, 2017.

Barry was born on August 28, 1955, to George and Billie Jean (Van Orman) Latislaw in Dowagiac. He graduated from Niles High School, Class of 1974. Barry was a greenskeeper at the golf course by trade but his passion in life was music. At the age of 17, he started performing music with local bands. Barry traveled the country singing and performing his music. He even had a 10-month stint at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas until he decided that the big city life wasn’t right for him. He then moved to the mountains of California before coming back home to Niles. On Valentine’s Day 1998 Barry wed Rosemary. Barry played many instruments including lead guitar, rhythm guitar, drums, piano, and bass. He continued to play with a local band, The Buzz, until his last gig on New Year’s Eve 2016.

Barry was preceded in death by his father, George Latislaw, and brother, Kevin Latislaw. 

Barry is survived by his wife of nearly 20 years, Rosemary Latislaw; mother, Billie Jean Lenz of Niles; children, Kellie (Tom) Swartz of South Bend, Barry (Randi) Latislaw Jr. of South Bend; step-daughter, Angela Mitchell of Niles; eight grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; siblings, Steve(Margie) Latislaw of Niles, David (Jim) Gentry-Latislaw of Newnan Georgia, and Debbie (Dan) Finch of Niles; and many extended family members and close friends.

Funeral services to celebrate Barry’s life will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles at 3:00 p.m. with a time of visitation two hours prior.

Memorial contributions may be made in Barry’s memory to the family, in care of Brown Funeral Home at 521 East Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120.