Arthur August Wesse, 89, of Constantine, passed away early Sunday morning, Oct. 24, 2010, at his home.
He was born July 22, 1921, in Riverdale, Illinois a son of the late Herman and Elsie (Beckman) Wesse.
Mr. Wesse had resided in Constantine since 1961, coming from Sturgis. On Oct. 1, 1949, he married Margaret Sites in Constantine.
He retired from the Kirsch Company in Sturgis after more than 30 years of dedicated employment. Prior to joining the Kirsch Company, he had worked for the New York Central Railroad and he was a talented carpenter.
Mr. Wesse was proud to have served his country during World War II, earning the rank of sergeant. He was a member of Swartz-VanFleet Post #138 American Legion in White Pigeon and enjoyed bowling and loved fishing.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Margaret; a daughter, Peggy Roach of Centreville; a son, Craig Wesse of Constantine; four grandchildren, Erin (Jad) Gleue of Ada, Kyle Roach of Centreville, Tara (Jason Shoup) Roach of White Pigeon and William Wesse of Three Rivers; two great-grandchildren, Jase Roach and Tori Shoup; a brother, Harold (Juanita) Wesse of White Pigeon; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; a granddaughter, Keli Roach; a son-in-law, Ron Roach; a sister, Louise Sachse; and two brothers, Wilmer Wesse and Herman Wesse.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today at Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Arthur Wesse will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Deb Johnson of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis officiating. A graveside committal will follow the service at the Nottawa Cemetery in Nottawa, where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Wesse’s memory consider the Ron and Keli Lynn Roach Memorial Health Occupations Scholarship Fund, c/o: Glen Oaks Foundation, 62249 Shimmel Road, Centreville, MI 49032.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.