WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Al Bronstetter, age 61, of Sturgis, passed away peacefully Friday morning, Oct. 30, 2009, at his home, surrounded by his family following a battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
He was born June 10, 1948, in Burr Oak, a son of the late Robert and Florence (Fifer) Bronstetter.
Al had resided nearly his entire life in the Sturgis and Burr Oak area. He graduated from Burr Oak High School with the class of 1966 and continued his education at Glen Oaks Community College and later attended several banking schools.
On Aug. 2, 1969, he married Ellen Waterhouse in Oneonta, N.Y.
Al was a local banker for 27 years. He retired in January 2008 from Abbott Laboratories in Sturgis following 12 years of employment.
He was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church and a past member of the Sturgis Lions Club. Al was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Cadmus.
He enjoyed traveling, working on his computer, reading and his Corvette. Al had many interests, but what he cherished most was time spent with his family, especially his four grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 40 years, Ellen; a daughter, Jennifer (Joe) Schwartz of Sturgis; a son, Michael (Kristi) Bronstetter of Sturgis; four grandchildren, Hannah and Emma Bronstetter and Meghan and Adam Schwartz; a sister, Dorothy (James) Lafferty of Sturgis; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Janice Ross.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Road, Sturgis.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Al Bronstetter will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Revs. Deb Johnson and Robert Keim will officiate.
A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn cemetery in Sturgis, where a veteran’s flag presentation will be conferred by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donation be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the ALS West Michigan Chapter, 731 Front St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
