Harold K. Gremel, Jr.

Harold K. Gremel, Jr., age 93, of Sebewaing, passed away Monday, January 19, 2026, at Bay View Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care, under the care of Compassus Hospice.

Harold was born in Sebewaing on November 12, 1932, to Harold J. Gremel, Sr. and Edna B. (Dronsella) Gremel. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Sebewaing and graduated from Sebewaing High School in 1951. He married Lillian Horun on November 27, 1953. She preceded him in death in 2007. He married Marilyn R. Fritz (Kausch) on March 12, 2010.

In 1954 he started "Starward Farm" along with his family, building a highly successful dairy and cash crop business. He retired in 2010, but still showed up to the farm time to time to help out. A huge part of Harold's life was dedicated to service of the industry that provided his livelihood. He served on many boards and committees and participated in numerous organizations in order to achieve the goals of the betterment of the community and Michigan agriculture.

Harold served on the MMPA board of directors for 21 years before retiring in 2004, the board of directors for Cooperative Elevator in Pigeon, MI, and on the board of directors of the Thumb Area Community Bank. He also was involved in and served as an officer of the Michigan DHIA, Michigan Holstein Association, Huron County Farm Bureau community action group, Huron Sires, Thumb Sires, Huron County Promotions and was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and served on many boards at the church. He believed that involvement and education were the keys to ensuring success of the industry and provided exemplary commitments to the propagation of their beliefs.

Harold is blessed with a large family including his wife, Marilyn; children: Walter Gremel, Kathy (Darwin) Sneller, Larry (Mary) Gremel, late Marie (survived by Thomas) Atwell; step children: the late Ronald (Pamela) Fritz, Nancy (Danny) Murray, Shirley Priskorn, Diane (Michael) Gombos and Marlene (Michael) Schubert; grandchildren: Emily (Nick) Sneller, Matthew (Natalie) Sneller, Eric (Cassie) Sneller, Louis Lepore, Sabrina Giacomaggio, Rachel Gremel, Jack Gremel, Mederise, Rhonda (Joe), Sharon, Thomas, Kristen (Paul), Deborah, Diane (Jim), Zachary, Mark (Tina) Mitch, Jillian, Jakob (Farrah); great grandchildren: Gerrit, Aubrey, Cameron, Tanner, Reid, Mariah, Ronald, Grace, Bryan, Alec, Darby, Stella, Kaylie, Taressa, Anna, Emma, Lacy, Jack, Leah and Grayden; siblings: late Ruby (late John)  Nordrum, late June (late Jack) Schram, Roger (Dorothy) Gremel, Diana (Ken) Weiss, Joyce (David) Bright, Richard (late Connie) Gremel, Dennis (Terryanne) Gremel, late Carol Engelhardt, late Gary Gremel.; step siblings: Roger (Arlene) Bachman and Joyce (late Tom) Jahr, late sister-in-law, Gail Gremel; late step mother, Mable Bachman-Gremel; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home, Inc., in Sebewaing, from 2pm-7pm.

The funeral service will be Monday, January 26, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 800 E. Bay St., Sebewaing. Visitation will begin at 10am until the time of service at 11am. Pastor Michael Boyer will be officiating. Burial will be private at New Bay Port Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church – Endowment Fund, or the Harold & Lillian Gremel Scholarship for a student in Veterinary School at MSU (make checks payable to MSU)(Gremel Dairy Memorial Fund (A10922))