Fred Hager

Fred Hager, age 84, of Caseville, died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at Wm. Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak after a short illness.

Fred was born September 5, 1923 in Beckley, West Virginia to the late John and Nannie (Pack) Hager. He grew up in West Virginia and worked in the coal mines before entering the US Army in 1944. He served in Europe during World War II, receiving three bronze stars and a purple heart fighting at the Rhineland and Ardennes. After the war he settled in Detroit. He was retired from Great Lakes Sugar after 21 years.

After having vacationed for many years in Caseville, he moved there permanently in 1980. He was a member of the Caseville Eagles and enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an all around outdoors man.

He is survived by his children, Hyldia (Ray) Rathka of Lapeer, Bill (Karen) of Rochester and Deborah (Paul) Woodcock of Palos Verdes Estates, California; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and brothers and sisters Otho, Jack, Peggy Morris, Edith, and Laurabell Bennage.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Norvel and Clarence.

A funeral mass will be at 11:00 AM Monday, August 18th at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville, with Fr. John Weis presiding. Burial with military honors will be in Caseville Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville and from 10 AM Monday until the time of the mass at church. There will be an Eagles Ritual at 5:00 PM Sunday.

Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.