He started work at Allen Products (ALPO) in May of 1966, unloading trucks after school and weekends. He joined the Army in the summer of 1966 and did his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas before being sent to Erlangen, Germany where he served from 1966 to 1969. He returned to ALPO and a job in maintenance from which he retired in June of 2016 with 50 years of employment.
He married Kathryn Freye in June of 1971 and their son, James, was born in December 1978.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Leonard, brother and sister-in-law, Allen and Sharon Schwab, brother-in-law, Art Stueber, and nephew, Michael Graves.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and son and wife, James and Katie, and grandchildren, Lola, Mila and Bas. Sisters and husbands, Aileen (Jack) Graves and Eunice (Bob) Seifert. Nieces, Cheryl Graves Turnbull and Julie Seifert Hanna. Nephews, Greg (Nicole) Seifert and Brad Seifert.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Wednesday, April 29th at Veterans and Friends, 130 W 13th Street in Crete, from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. A private interment service will be held.
Memorials to the family for future designation.