Alan Lemke

Alan E. Lemke was born to Edward Lemke and Frances (Ferol) Boltz. Al was the oldest of four brothers who delighted in keeping mom and dad on their toes, as well as throwing his weight around as the oldest and toughest. He grew up on Getty Street in Muskegon and attended Moon School and Muskegon High School. He joined the Air Force and served for six years as a corpsman as part of the medivac team stationed at Landstuhl Air Force Base in Germany. After leaving the Air Force, Al settled in Grand Haven and raised four children with his former wife, Edith. While raising his family he was employed at Neway Equipment, and S.D. Warren Paper Company. Alan enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers, Ed and David, both deceased. He was also involved with the Grand Haven Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the VFW-Polar Bear Post in Muskegon. Al took pilot lessons, getting his license in 1980, and enjoyed flying his own Piper Cherokee named Toe Jam. Al had a lively sense of humor and delighted in honoring his three girls by naming his boat the Kath-Lin-Ette, after them. In recent years, Al resided in North Muskegon with his second wife, Pat. After retiring from S.D. Warren in 1992, he and Pat enjoyed taking many trips on his Gold Wing motorcycle. Until his illness, he held the position of quarter master at VFW Post 446, and served in many capacities at the Muskegon Conservation Club. He also gave much of his time to Sportsmen for Youth, the former Muskegon Steelheaders Association, MI Duckhunters, Special Olympics, managing the Seaway Gun Club, as well as spending time with his children and grandchildren. Al was an energetic man who was passionately involved in many and varied interests, reading anything and everything he could get his hands on. He often surprised people who would never have guessed his true age, as he looked and acted much younger. He was a true and loyal friend, who was always ready to help people. He never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife Patricia, three daughters, Katherine (Steven) Spink, West Olive, Linda (Dale) Zimmerman, Grand Haven, Jeanette (Ed) Pippel, Grand Haven, one son, Eric (Melissa) Lemke, Zeeland, two stepchildren, Barry (Audra) Wood, Muskegon, Le-Ann (Jim) Leach, Muskegon, fourteen grandchildren, Chris (Sara), Joshua (Amanda) and Valarie Spink, Aaron (Marie) Zimmerman, Ashleigh, Samantha and Justin Pippel, Tyler, Dylan, and Savannah Lemke, four step-grandchildren, Jesse Wood, Ami Kling, Cody and Sarah Wood and nine great-grandchildren; Lucas, Jacinda, Cierra, Brooklyn, Jacob, Madison, Levi, Hunter and Chase. One Aunt, several cousins, nieces and nephews also survive. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Robert, David and Edward, sister-in-law Alyce, and step-granddaughters, Malorie Kling and Miranda Wood. Al will always be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed but we know that he is fishing in Heaven. A Memorial Service to honor Al’s life will be held on Sunday, June 05, 2011 at VFW Post 446, 165 S. Getty Street, Muskegon MI 49442. Visitation with the family will be at 1:00 p.m. with the service commencing at 2:00 p.m. Please come and share a memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to VFW Post 446 or to the family for final expenses.