WALRAVEN, VERN J.                          

Bay City

    Age 90 years, died Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Brian’s House.  He was born January 22, 1922 to the late Alexander and Virginia (Neering) Walraven in Essexville.  Vern was a graduate of North Eastern School of Commerce.  During World War II, he served in the U. S. Army Air Force as a First Lieutenant.  He always enjoyed flying as well as fishing, and helping others.  Vern was a partner with his two brothers in the Walraven Brothers Bayside Farms in Hampton Township for 24 years and was the owner of Phil’s Inn for 19 years before retiring in 1989.  Vern was a member of St. Maria Goretti Church, a past-president of the Essexville-Hampton Lions Club, a member of the Essexville K of C Council #2740, the American Legion Post #249, and the Center Avenue Businessmen’s Association.

   On March 12, 1977 he married the former Donna M. (Guerin) Fechter who survives along with two sons and five daughters:  Michael (Kathleen) Walraven, Thomas Walraven, Karen Haberland, Mary (Douglas) Rousse, Sandra Walraven, Joan Rhode, Susan (James) Maus; three step-sons and three step-daughters:  Brad  Fechter, Ross (Roxanne) Fechter, Todd (Francine) Fechter, Dawn (Kurt) Denzer, Connie (Ken) Kroulik, Cheryl Fechter; 30 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; his daughter-in-law: Pat Teunesseu; and many nieces and nephews.

   Besides his parents, he was predeceased by three sons:  David, Vern,Jr., and Joseph Walraven; and his brothers, Alexander, Ernest, and Arthur Walraven.

   The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:00 am in St. Maria Goretti Church, 2872 N. Euclid Avenue, Bay City.  Vern will lie in state in church Monday after 9:00 am.  Rev. George Serour and Sr. Virginia Scally, SNDdeN will preside over the Funeral Rites with entombment following in St. Patrick Mausoleum.  Memorial contributions may be designated for a hospice of the donor’s choice or the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission. Visiting hours with the family will be Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 pm at the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel, with the Vigil Prayer Service Sunday at 7:00 pm.   Online condolences:  www.trahanfc.com

                                                          TRAHAN

FUNERAL CHAPEL

PREARRANGEMENT CENTER

256 N. Madison, Bay City

Notification Published by Trahan Funeral Chapel

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