Obituary of Earl Keinath

Of Vassar, age 84, died Saturday, November 5, 2011, at Covenant Health Care - Cooper. The funeral service will take place 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at the St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville. Pastor Wesley Gillaspie and Pastor Rob Gadeken will officiate with burial to follow in St. Michaels Cemetery. Earl's family will be present at the Martin Funeral Home in Vassar to receive friends on Tuesday 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Wednesday Earl will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the St. Michael's Lutheran Church or to family wishes. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Earl "Red" was born March 12, 1927, in Vassar, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer and Augusta (Schaneck) Keinath. He and Alice Jean DeCoe were united in marriage October 11, 1947, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville. She preceded him in death December 2, 2002. Earl enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing baseball and euchre, bowling, hunting, camping, butchering, and making sausage. Left to cherish his memory are, three children, Linda (Louis) Wehrman, Janet Schmandt and fiance, JR Cervini, and Patricia (James) Witucki; six grandchildren, Timothy (Suzanne) Wehrman, Christopher and Benjamin Schmandt, Andrew Witucki and fiancee, Ashleigh Stafford and her son, William, Daniel Witucki and girlfriend, Courtney Bowker, and Alison Witucki; one great-grandson, Luke Wehrman; two sisters, Dorothy (Francis) Cottrell and Helen Miller; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by parents; wife, Alice Jean; son-in-law, Warren Schmandt; siblings, Irene Townsend, Frances Reif, Lyle Keinath, Erna Schnell, Florence Bauer, Norman, Ernest, Elmer and Harry Keinath.