Henry John "Hank" Demler, Sr., 77, of Bridgman, formerly of Pipestone Lake, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at home following an illness.
Mr. Demler was born December 22, 1923, in Buchanan Township, to Peter and Katharina (Hergenrader) Demler and had lived in southwestern MI all of his life. He married Shirley Jane Pierson on April 25, 1945, in Keeler, Michigan, and she survives. The couple enjoyed more than 56 years of marriage.
Mr. Demler had served his country in the U.S. Air Force 69th Fighter Squadron during World War II. He worked for 29 years at Benton Harbor Engineering as a supervisor and machinist until his retirement in 1990. He also worked for the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor. Most recently he worked as a transporter for auction vehicles for Kim Grenke Motors, Signature Toyota and Deals on Wheels.
An avid lover of sports, Mr. Demler was involved in all types of sports and sporting events. He was one of the founders of the North Lincoln Eaton Park baseball Association and former team manager of "The Reds" baseball team. He enjoyed boating, tossing horseshoes and beanbags, loved camping and bowling, but especially liked to watch his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events. He was also known as the #1 Gusmacker Basketball fan.
Mr. Demler was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ.
Survivors include two sons: Henry "John" (Diann) Demler of Benton Harbor, and Robert D. (Connie) Demler of Baroda; three daughters" Yvonne Demler Vidt of St. Joseph, Denita Demler of Kalamazoo, and Ronda (Stephen) Cogswell of St. Joseph; grandchildren: John (Dawn) Demler, Kristin (Jerry) Middendorf, Holly (Vince) Rago, Melissa Vidt, Jamie Vidt and her fiancé Kevin Raade; Toff (Louise) Demler, Zachary and Jacob Cogswell, Melani Demler and Matthew Demler; three great-grandchildren, Kyle and Brant Rago, and Jillian Demler; three sisters, Millie Kerschbaum of Bridgman, Lovern (Henry) Maier of Benton Harbor, and Marion (Harold) Ladendorf of St. Joseph. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews including Don Pierson, Diana Frazee and Art Kerschbaum. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and George Demler, and a sister, Marge Gibala.
A funeral service celebrating his life was held at 1 p.m. on July 23, 2001, at the Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda, with the Rev. Christopher Noffke officiating. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Visitation with the family was from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Legacy Family Funeral Services - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs.
Memorials may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, Berrien County Cancer Service or Hospice at Home.
- The Journal Era, Berrien Springs, MI, Jul 25, 2001, p. 21.
Mr. Demler was born December 22, 1923, in Buchanan Township, to Peter and Katharina (Hergenrader) Demler and had lived in southwestern MI all of his life. He married Shirley Jane Pierson on April 25, 1945, in Keeler, Michigan, and she survives. The couple enjoyed more than 56 years of marriage.
Mr. Demler had served his country in the U.S. Air Force 69th Fighter Squadron during World War II. He worked for 29 years at Benton Harbor Engineering as a supervisor and machinist until his retirement in 1990. He also worked for the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor. Most recently he worked as a transporter for auction vehicles for Kim Grenke Motors, Signature Toyota and Deals on Wheels.
An avid lover of sports, Mr. Demler was involved in all types of sports and sporting events. He was one of the founders of the North Lincoln Eaton Park baseball Association and former team manager of "The Reds" baseball team. He enjoyed boating, tossing horseshoes and beanbags, loved camping and bowling, but especially liked to watch his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events. He was also known as the #1 Gusmacker Basketball fan.
Mr. Demler was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ.
Survivors include two sons: Henry "John" (Diann) Demler of Benton Harbor, and Robert D. (Connie) Demler of Baroda; three daughters" Yvonne Demler Vidt of St. Joseph, Denita Demler of Kalamazoo, and Ronda (Stephen) Cogswell of St. Joseph; grandchildren: John (Dawn) Demler, Kristin (Jerry) Middendorf, Holly (Vince) Rago, Melissa Vidt, Jamie Vidt and her fiancé Kevin Raade; Toff (Louise) Demler, Zachary and Jacob Cogswell, Melani Demler and Matthew Demler; three great-grandchildren, Kyle and Brant Rago, and Jillian Demler; three sisters, Millie Kerschbaum of Bridgman, Lovern (Henry) Maier of Benton Harbor, and Marion (Harold) Ladendorf of St. Joseph. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews including Don Pierson, Diana Frazee and Art Kerschbaum. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and George Demler, and a sister, Marge Gibala.
A funeral service celebrating his life was held at 1 p.m. on July 23, 2001, at the Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda, with the Rev. Christopher Noffke officiating. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Visitation with the family was from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Legacy Family Funeral Services - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs.
Memorials may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, Berrien County Cancer Service or Hospice at Home.
- The Journal Era, Berrien Springs, MI, Jul 25, 2001, p. 21.
Henry John "Hank" Demler, Sr., 77, of Bridgman, formerly of Pipestone Lake, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at home following an illness.
Mr. Demler was born December 22, 1923, in Buchanan Township, to Peter and Katharina (Hergenrader) Demler and had lived in southwestern MI all of his life. He married Shirley Jane Pierson on April 25, 1945, in Keeler, Michigan, and she survives. The couple enjoyed more than 56 years of marriage.
Mr. Demler had served his country in the U.S. Air Force 69th Fighter Squadron during World War II. He worked for 29 years at Benton Harbor Engineering as a supervisor and machinist until his retirement in 1990. He also worked for the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor. Most recently he worked as a transporter for auction vehicles for Kim Grenke Motors, Signature Toyota and Deals on Wheels.
An avid lover of sports, Mr. Demler was involved in all types of sports and sporting events. He was one of the founders of the North Lincoln Eaton Park baseball Association and former team manager of "The Reds" baseball team. He enjoyed boating, tossing horseshoes and beanbags, loved camping and bowling, but especially liked to watch his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events. He was also known as the #1 Gusmacker Basketball fan.
Mr. Demler was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ.
Survivors include two sons: Henry "John" (Diann) Demler of Benton Harbor, and Robert D. (Connie) Demler of Baroda; three daughters" Yvonne Demler Vidt of St. Joseph, Denita Demler of Kalamazoo, and Ronda (Stephen) Cogswell of St. Joseph; grandchildren: John (Dawn) Demler, Kristin (Jerry) Middendorf, Holly (Vince) Rago, Melissa Vidt, Jamie Vidt and her fiancé Kevin Raade; Toff (Louise) Demler, Zachary and Jacob Cogswell, Melani Demler and Matthew Demler; three great-grandchildren, Kyle and Brant Rago, and Jillian Demler; three sisters, Millie Kerschbaum of Bridgman, Lovern (Henry) Maier of Benton Harbor, and Marion (Harold) Ladendorf of St. Joseph. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews including Don Pierson, Diana Frazee and Art Kerschbaum. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and George Demler, and a sister, Marge Gibala.
A funeral service celebrating his life was held at 1 p.m. on July 23, 2001, at the Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda, with the Rev. Christopher Noffke officiating. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Visitation with the family was from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Legacy Family Funeral Services - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs.
Memorials may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, Berrien County Cancer Service or Hospice at Home.
- The Journal Era, Berrien Springs, MI, Jul 25, 2001, p. 21.
Mr. Demler was born December 22, 1923, in Buchanan Township, to Peter and Katharina (Hergenrader) Demler and had lived in southwestern MI all of his life. He married Shirley Jane Pierson on April 25, 1945, in Keeler, Michigan, and she survives. The couple enjoyed more than 56 years of marriage.
Mr. Demler had served his country in the U.S. Air Force 69th Fighter Squadron during World War II. He worked for 29 years at Benton Harbor Engineering as a supervisor and machinist until his retirement in 1990. He also worked for the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor. Most recently he worked as a transporter for auction vehicles for Kim Grenke Motors, Signature Toyota and Deals on Wheels.
An avid lover of sports, Mr. Demler was involved in all types of sports and sporting events. He was one of the founders of the North Lincoln Eaton Park baseball Association and former team manager of "The Reds" baseball team. He enjoyed boating, tossing horseshoes and beanbags, loved camping and bowling, but especially liked to watch his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events. He was also known as the #1 Gusmacker Basketball fan.
Mr. Demler was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ.
Survivors include two sons: Henry "John" (Diann) Demler of Benton Harbor, and Robert D. (Connie) Demler of Baroda; three daughters" Yvonne Demler Vidt of St. Joseph, Denita Demler of Kalamazoo, and Ronda (Stephen) Cogswell of St. Joseph; grandchildren: John (Dawn) Demler, Kristin (Jerry) Middendorf, Holly (Vince) Rago, Melissa Vidt, Jamie Vidt and her fiancé Kevin Raade; Toff (Louise) Demler, Zachary and Jacob Cogswell, Melani Demler and Matthew Demler; three great-grandchildren, Kyle and Brant Rago, and Jillian Demler; three sisters, Millie Kerschbaum of Bridgman, Lovern (Henry) Maier of Benton Harbor, and Marion (Harold) Ladendorf of St. Joseph. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews including Don Pierson, Diana Frazee and Art Kerschbaum. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and George Demler, and a sister, Marge Gibala.
A funeral service celebrating his life was held at 1 p.m. on July 23, 2001, at the Zion United Church of Christ, Baroda, with the Rev. Christopher Noffke officiating. Burial followed in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Visitation with the family was from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Legacy Family Funeral Services - Matthew R. Purchase Chapel, Berrien Springs.
Memorials may be made to the Zion United Church of Christ, Berrien County Cancer Service or Hospice at Home.
- The Journal Era, Berrien Springs, MI, Jul 25, 2001, p. 21.
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