Henry “Hank” Bader, 86, of Reese, died early Friday morning, December 2, 2011 in Essexville, with his wife at his side. He was born March 14, 1925 in Blumfield Township, Saginaw County, son of the late Charles and Emma (Oldenburg) Bader. Hank served his country with the U.S. Army during WWII. On August 2, 1947 he married his wife of 64 years, the former Ruth Kopischke, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. She survives him. He attended the Blumfield Corners School and attended Reese High School before entering the U.S. Army. In 2004 he received his high school diploma through the Veterans Administration Act enabling WWII veterans, who served during the war, to obtain their diploma. He owned and operated Bader Bros. farm implement dealership in Reese for many years. Hank was a faithful member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese where he served the congregation on various boards. He was a sixty-three year member and Past Commander of the Reese American Legion Post #139.  Hank enjoyed collecting cast iron seats and tools and also enjoyed hunting on his land in Alpena County and spending time at his cottage on Houghton Lake.

Surviving besides his wife Ruth, are his son and two daughters and their spouses, David and Milinda Bader, Nancy and Dale Sage, Mary and George Hatchard, all of Reese; his grandchildren and their spouses, Amy Prahin and her husband Ron of Prospect, Kentucky; Geoffrey Hatchard of Washington, D.C; Constance Hatchard of Alger; Charles Hatchard of Jackson; Kyle Bader and his wife Sandy of Coldwater; and Kerri Bader of Reese; and his three great-grandchildren, Allison, Michael and Emma Prahin. Also surviving are his brothers, Harry Bader of Reese and Jim Bader of Frankenmuth and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by eleven brothers and sisters, Charles, Norman, and Arnold Bader, Helen Aven, Dorothy Bader, Marion Miller, Geneva Krieger, Pearl Haines, Elsie Boelter, one infant brother, Carl and one infant sister, Beulah.

Funeral Services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese. Reverend Dr. Robert Bennett and Vicar Sean Willman will both officiate with burial to follow in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Reese. Military Honors will be presented by the U.S. Army and the Reese American Legion Post #139. Hank’s family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw St. in Reese on Monday from 2-8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reese or Reese Fire Rescue. If you are unable to visit with the family in person you may send your condolences through www.waresmithwoolever.com

Notification Published by Ware-Smith-Woolever FH-Reese

Please contact the Funeral Services Provider if you wish to report any errors in this notification, or if you would like any additional information.