William Kasdorf, 80

William F. Kasdorf, age 80, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Friday morning, July3, 2009, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room.

He was born Aug. 2, 1928, in Sturgis, a son of the late John and Lucile (Gross) Kasdorf.

Bill was a lifelong Sturgis resident and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1946.

On June 1, 1947, he married Garnetta Bassett at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis.
He was a licensed master plumber and most of his working life was with Casselman Inc. Mechanical Contractors in Sturgis. At the time of his retirement in 1990, he held the position of corporate president. For a short time in his early life, he had worked for Holland Furnace in Sturgis.

Bill was a dedicated member of the National Rifle Association, Life member of the Michigan Trap shooters Association and B.P.O. Elks #1381, member and past president of the Sturgis Exchange Club and member of the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman Club, the Amateur Softball Association and was instrumental in establishing the first women’s fast pitch softball team in the Sturgis area.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, wondering the woods of northern Michigan, trap shooting, in his younger years he was a private pilot and for 15 years he coached women’s fast pitch softball.

Many will miss his knack for telling great stories and the wise advice he would offer. Bill had many involvements and interests in his life, but what he valued the very most was his family and many friends. He truly loved life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Garnetta;, three daughters, Patricia (James) Brown of Kendallville, Ind., Ann Kasdorf of Portage and Tammy (David) Pagels of Sturgis; a son-in-law.

Patrick Long of Ypsilanti; six grandchildren, Marci Long of Sturgis, Dustin (Jill) Pagels of Sturgis, Andrew (Miranda) Pagels of Sturgis, Joshua Brown of Ann Arbor, Jessica Brown of Kendallville and Ashley Kasdorf of Portage; three great-grandchildren, Nathan Pagels, Matthew Pagels and Gracie Kay Pagels; a sister, Janet Dillivan of Sturgis; three brothers, Howard (Grace) Kasdorf, John Kasdorf Jr., and Allen (Carol) Kasdorf, all of Sturgis; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and one daughter, Kay Long, preceded him in death.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, where a memorial service celebrating the life of William Kasdorf will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Robert Keim of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis will officiate. Burial of the ashes will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests those who wish to make a memorial donation in Mr. Kasdorf’s memory consider the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman Club, 23640 Featherstone Road, Sturgis; Camp Fort Hill c/o: Sturgis Foundation, 310 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, or the charity of one’s choice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.