Gerhard Hettig

Gerhard ?Gay? Hettig , 78, of St. Joseph passed away May 2, 2005, at home, after a long illness. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00am, Thursday May 05, 2005 , at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Paul Koehneke officiating. Friends may call on the family from 4:00pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post 568, of which he was a member. Donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church Building Fund, American Diabetes-Michigan Affiliate, Parkinson Foundation or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest- book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.Gerhard was born on February 7, 1927 to Natalie (Drews) and Herman Hettig, Sr., in St. Joseph. During WWII he was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge he joined the U.S. naval Reserves and was discharged in 1954. On April 12, 1953, he married the former Marilyn Gosselar in St. Joseph. Gerhard worked at Whirlpool Corporation for 36 years until his retirement in 1981. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to all. He enjoyed his children and especially his grandchildren. His love, kindness, and humor will be missed by all. He enjoyed fishing, working in his yard, refinishing furniture and woodworking. When his boys were young he enjoyed coaching Little League. Gerhard is survived by his wife Marilyn of 52 years; sons?John ?Keith? (Betty) Hettig of Stevensville, David (Vicki) Hettig of Lawrence; daughter Karen (Gary) Richardville of St. Joseph; five grandchildren?Heather Hettig of St. Joe, Holly (Rob) Harbin, III of Grand Rapids, Michael Riippa of Novi, Derek Riippa and April Hettig of St. Joe; three step-grandchildren?Steven Neumann of CA, Kristen Neumann, of Kalamazoo, Ryan Richardville of Monroe, and a very special great niece Madison Godush of Bridgman; sisters?Anita (Jack) Mitchell of Cinncinate Ohio, Doris (Jim) Buchholz of Sylvania, Ohio; brothers?Albert of St. Joe, Edward (Margrette) Hettig of Paw Paw, Donald (Ruth) Hettig of Eau Claire, and Michael (Sandi) Hettig of St. Joe. He was preceded in death by two brothers?Arthur and Herman Hettig, Jr. and two sisters-in-law.