Bob Hempel, 91

Robert L. Hempel, Sr. age 91, of Mendon, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 at Three Rivers Health. He was born near Niles, MI on July 16, 1921 the son of Simon and Gertrude Hempel. Following High School, Bob joined the U.S. Navy and served overseas during WWII. He was married to Sally Thoresdale on March 27, 1942 in Chicago. They moved to Mendon in 1950 where Bob worked as an independent truck driver until his retirement. Bob has been a resident of Bowman House in Three Rivers the past 6 years. He was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon, the Mendon Rovers camping group, and the former Snow-Hasbrouck V.F.W. Post #4898.

Bob is survived by 8 children, Robert Jr. (Kathy) Hempel of Three Rivers, John Hempel of Detroit, Jim (Jacquie) Hempel of Bend, OR, Dennis (Karen) Hempel of Mendon, Kevin Hempel of Phoenix, AZ, Patrick Hempel of Hawaii, Jeanine (Steve) Vogler of Kentwood, and Marty Hempel of Nottawa; 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sally; daughter, Eileen; son, Thomas; 3 granddaughters, Tamara, Brittany, and Sarah; 3 brothers, Ed, Mort, and George.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon, and where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 5, 2013 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon with Rev. Jim Vinh Le officiating. Burial will be in St. Edward Catholic Cemetery with military rites by Hice-Shutes American Legion Post #170. Memorials may be directed to the St. Edward Altar Society. Condolences may be left for the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com