Brian Lee "Buzz" Doyle

Brian Lee "Buzz" Doyle Battle Creek Brian Lee "Buzz" Doyle, 64, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. He was born on November 20, 1944, in Battle Creek, the youngest of seven children, to Harry K. and Clara (Davis) Doyle. Brian was a 1962 graduate of Lakeview High School. While a student he was a member of the Spartan football team, playing defensive left tackle. He was also a member of the marching band and on the A cappella choir. After high school Brian worked for Western Electric, a division of AT&T. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from July 31, 1965 to July 30, 1968. He was discharged as a specialist E-5. Brian's responsibilities were in personnel management. After officer candidate school, Brian was stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, in Baltimore, Maryland and worked directly with the Pentagon. Brian met the love of his life, Patricia C. Maenner, at the USO in Baltimore. They were married on June 8, 1968 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Baltimore. After their marriage, Brian and Pat moved to Battle Creek where they remained and raised their family. Brian began his banking career at Security National Bank in the summer of 1968, where he was employed for 10 years, working his way up from the mailroom to branch manager and then to the position of officer and assistant treasurer, at the Springfield and Industrial branches. He then joined People's Savings and Loan as the Branch Manager in Richland. After a merger with Mutual Savings, Brian worked at the bank's main office as the head of mortgage and consumer lending for the Southwest Michigan region serving Kalamazoo, Branch and Calhoun counties. He then was employed by Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union from May 1990 until July 2000 as a consumer mortgage lending officer. Brian also taught a mortgage lending course at Davenport Business College. After retirement from banking, Brian was employed at Royal Funeral Home from March 2001 until his passing. Brian had many interests which included reading, traveling, camping, gardening, softball, golfing and his dog "Whiskers." He enjoyed being a Michigan State University and Detroit Red Wings fan. He was a member of the Springfield Lions Club, Battle Creek Jaycees, National Institute of Banking, American Legion Post 298 and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. He had previously served on the Board of Trustees of Trinity United Methodist Church. Brian loved his family very much and leaves behind his beloved wife, Pat and their children, Keith (Kelly) Doyle of Dorr and Wendy (Shaun) Abbey of Byron Center. He also leaves his granddaughters, Ellen and Emma Abbey; brother, James A. (Karin) Doyle of St. Clair Shores; sister, Joyce C. (Phillip) Daniel of Battle Creek; and sisters-in-law, Val Doyle of Kalamazoo and Lois Doyle of Harbor Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Harry "Bobby" Doyle, Frederick K. "Barney" Doyle, Clara L. "Sis" Wittrock and Patricia J. "Pat" Mansfield. The family will receive friends at Royal Funeral Home on Sunday, April 5 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services for Brian will be held on Monday, April 6, 10:30 a.m. at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. James Gysel officiating. Interment will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Amyloidosis Research Foundation, Good Samaritan Hospice Care or the American Cancer Society.