Joseph Francis Gaertner

Joseph Francis Gaertner Sr, 68, of Caseville, died September 8, 2014 at his home.

Joe was born December 18, 1945 in Saginaw to the late Joseph W. and Frances (Ruffertschafer) Gaertner. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. On August 10, 1971 he married Carole Gorte in Bridgeport. She preceded him in death on July 12, 1999.

Joe retired from General Motors in Saginaw as a millwright. He moved from Saginaw to Caseville in 1987. He was a member of the Caseville Eagles and the Saginaw VFW and American Legion. An outdoors man, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his children Joseph Jr of Vassar, Edward (Angela) of Saginaw, Timothy of Caseville, Cheryl (Jeffrey) McFadden of Merrill, Patricia (Larry) Keckler of Centerville, and Gerald (Sue) Doyle of Three Rivers; 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; brother Gary (Toby) Gaertner of Saginaw and sisters Janet Hodges of Freeland and Karen Lehtinen of Saginaw. He was preceded in death by his son Robert Doyle and brother Robert Gaertner.

An Eagles’ Ritual service will be at 5:30pm Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel of Caseville. Visitation will from 1:00pm Thursday until the time of the service at 5:30.

Graveside military services will be at 11:00 am Friday at East Lawn Memorial Gardens in Saginaw.