Alan E. Batten, age 61 of Mendon died Tuesday Dec. 27, 2016 at the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Hospital following a long illness. He was born in Three Rivers on March 16, 1955 the son of Norman Eugene and Dorothy O. (Boyce) Batten and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. He graduated from Mendon High School with the Class of 1973, and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977. Alan had worked at Lear Sigler in Mendon prior to going to work for General Motors, where he was a Supervisor for 30 years. He served on the Mendon Public Schools Board of Education. In his spare time he enjoyed playing softball, bowling, woodcutting, gardening, and coaching Rocket Football.

Alan was married to Connie Heath on March 4, 1978 in Mendon. She survives along with two children, Lindsay Batten of Kalamazoo and Jared (Kari) Batten of Sturgis; four grandchildren, Ethan Kent, Riley Mattison, Jackson and Jameson Batten; four brothers, Rick "Rose" Batten, Daniel "Dune" (Jill) Batten, and Phillip "Milk" Batten all of Mendon and James "Toes" (Lisa) Batten of Kalamazoo; aunts, uncles, and many cousins. He was preceded by his father in 2004 and his mother in 2005.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon. Funeral services will be 11 am Saturday Dec. 31, 2016 at the Crossroads Missionary Church with former Pastor Chuck Lambdin officiating. Military interment will take place in Mendon Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the Battle Creek V.A. Hospital in Al's memory. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com