Gary Melvin Boling

Gary M. Boling left this world unexpectedly on September 29th, 2023, at his residence in Traverse City, Michigan. He was born April 5th, 1950, a son to parents Carl Boling and Ruth (Kuykendall) Boling in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1968.

Gary shortly thereafter volunteered to serve his country is the United States Army enlisting in 1968. Shortly after basic training, he was shipped to Germany where he would train rigorously becoming a member of America’s armored tank division. He would then be sent off to Vietnam in mid-1970 serving his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. He left active duty in 1971 and served in a reserve status till 1981.

After returning home, he met his first wife Michelle Cyr Miquelon, and they were married a few short years later, having their daughter Sarah R. Boling in 1977. Gary would work for the State of Michigan for some time assisting disabled veterans with employment services in the years that followed. A few years later, Gary and his 2nd wife Nancy L McClain would welcome another member to their circle in a son, Jeremiah M Boling. As the 80’s passed into the 90’s, new challenges in life would present Gary with the opportunity to overcome his greatest struggles in life. He then met his 3rd and former wife, Janis Jackson and her children Sarah and Josh Rinvelt, who he adored as though they were his own.

In addition to his children, Sarah and Jeremiah Boling, surviving are his granddaughters Alexis and Adrianna Scheck-Boling, his sister Carla (Boling) Carmichael and her husband Bill, and their children, his nieces and nephews. In addition, we would also like to make mention of his “adopted” sister and best friend Marcia Pickering of Wisconsin and her extensive family. Marcia was the sister of his best friend John from Vietnam, and he very much made her a member of the family as well.

A military honors service for remembrance is scheduled for December 8th at 2:30 PM at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan, with a few words being spoken at the committal shelter about 30 minutes prior. Luncheon to commemorate Gary to follow the military service, location TBD.

Given the burial will be at National Military Cemetery, in lieu of flowers, we ask that anyone who wishes to honor Gary can make donations to The Headstrong Project which focuses on helping Veterans navigate through mental health and PTSD challenges, and can be found at The Headstrong Project - 501c3 nonprofit for Veteran Mental Health.