 1925 - 2012 (86 years)
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| Name |
Donald Keith Wert |
| Born |
22 Apr 1925 |
Allegan County, Michigan, USA  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
11 Apr 2012 |
| Person ID |
I22748 |
Family Tree |
| Last Modified |
6 Mar 2017 |
| Father |
Clyde Walter Wert, b. 6 Aug 1898, Manistee, Michigan, USA , d. 5 Sep 1972, Saginaw, Michigan, USA (Age 74 years) |
| Mother |
Caroline J. Pennock, b. 26 Aug 1895, Michigan, USA , d. 5 Feb 1977, Wright Township, Michigan, USA (Age 81 years) |
| Married |
8 Apr 1919 |
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA |
| Divorced |
23 Nov 1922 |
Allegan County, Michigan, USA |
| Notes |
- Clyde & Caroline remarried April 1, 1925 in Allegan, Michigan.
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| Family ID |
F11254 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Peggy Lee Bosley, b. 31 Dec 1926, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA , d. 11 Apr 2012, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (Age 85 years) |
| Married |
3 Jan 1948 |
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA |
| Children |
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| Last Modified |
6 Mar 2017 |
| Family ID |
F11259 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- Although his life was enriched by so many things he loved, there was nothing more near and dear to the heart of Donald Wert than his family. He fully embraced each day he was given, living life on purpose alongside his friends and loved ones. Don was a true patriot who served his country during a time of great need, fighting for the preservation of the freedoms we still enjoy today. With the love of his life by his side for 64 years, his devotion to his family was unmatched, and he couldn?t have been happier than when grandchildren were added to their family tree. Don will be deeply missed, but his memory will forever hold a prominent place in the hearts of those he leaves behind.
The decade of the 1920s is often referred to as the Roaring Twenties because of the exuberant, freewheeling popular culture of the decade. This was a time when many people defied prohibition, indulged in new styles of dress, and welcomed in the smooth sounds of jazz. Nestled within this vibrant time was the year 1925 that brought great joy to one active family from Allegan, Michigan, with the birth of a healthy baby boy on April 22nd. Donald Keith was the middle of five children born to his parents, Clyde and Caroline (Pennock) Wert, and was raised alongside his three brothers, Clyde, Frank, and Jack, and his sister, Claudine. As the prosperity of the twenties gave way to the darkness of the Great Depression of the thirties, the Wert family felt the struggle as so many American families did. They moved around quite a bit in the West Michigan area in search of work. The Werts eventually settled in Grand Rapids where Don attended local schools, although school was never really his thing. His high school years found him at Union High School until he was 17.
With a desire to serve his country, Don enlisted in the Navy as a young man during the days of WWII. He wasn?t the only Wert son to serve in the Navy, however, as at one time all four of the brothers were serving at the same time. Don worked as an aviation machinist in the South Pacific.
After being discharged in 1946, Don returned to Grand Rapids. Soon after his life was forever changed when he met the young girl with whom he would share the best years of his life. Her name was Peggy, and after falling deeply in love the couple was married on January 3, 1948, at St. Mary?s Catholic Church.
The couple didn?t take a honeymoon, but settled into a duplex above Peggy?s parents on Quarry NW. Don worked days at Kelvinator while Peggy worked nights at R. C. Allen for four years. Together they were blessed with the births of two sons, Steven and Scott. After spending four years in the duplex, Don and Peggy moved their growing family to a home at 609 Fairfield NW where he would live for nearly the rest of his life.
As a father Don was actively involved in the lives of his boys, and family time was something they all enjoyed. He often took his boys fishing. Deer hunting was another activity they did together, and they often set up deer camp for a week with Don?s brother Clyde and his children. As a family they went up to see the construction of the Mackinaw Bridge. When his boys were little Don was instrumental in developing Little League at Shawmut Hills Elementary as he helped construct the concession stand and the baseball diamonds, too. He coached his boys for many years, always accompanied by his ratty ball glove.
In 1980 Don and Peggy purchased a trailer on Ryerson Lake near Fremont that became the backdrop for family and friends to gather. For over 20 years they hosted their loved ones there, and Don just loved the socializing aspect. He was deemed the ?fire god? who always kept the flames roaring.
There were so many things that Don enjoyed throughout his life. He loved trout fishing in streams for several years as well as fishing on inland lakes, but eventually gave it up later in life. Don was a fan of big band music, and his favorite foods were goulash, chili, and meat and potatoes. He was a sports enthusiast who liked to watch Tigers games on television as well as attending games in person. Don also liked watching Michigan football and was a long suffering Detroit Lions fan. He was a history buff who particularly enjoyed anything dealing with Custer?s Last Stand and enjoyed a Pabst or Strohs beer from time to time. Later in life Don and Peggy took trips out West to visit Steve in Washington state. When at home he could often be found tinkering in his garage, and together he and Peggy liked to go to garage sales in search of treasures. Don was always on the lookout for cast iron pans. When grandchildren joined the family he and Peggy often hosted them for sleepovers, and he loved taking them fishing and for boat rides as well.
Life became more difficult for Don as Peggy began suffering with Alzheimer?s disease over the past few years. They remained at home where he attempted to care for Peggy, but this was not without effects on Don. He was a proud man who didn?t want to burden others by asking for help, so his physical, mental, and emotional health began to suffer as well. They tried living at Lincoln Square and Villa Maria, but both times they moved back home. Peggy eventually needed more extensive care and moved into a care facility, and throughout the last year of his life Don lost a lot of weight and continued to experience a decline in his overall health. As a result he was in and out of the hospital and care facilities as needed.
Donald Wert was a kind and humble man whose main focus in life was loving those around him. He knew what it meant to work hard, yet he also fully understood the value in enjoying life to the fullest. With a life that spanned times of great change around him, Don experienced a rich and rewarding life filled with precious moments shared with those he loved.
Mr. Don K. Wert, age 86, of Grand Rapids passed away on April 11, 2012. He was preceded in death by his sister, Claudine; and brothers, Clyde ?Bud? Jr., Frank, and Jack. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Peggy; sons, Steven (Lisa) Wert and Scott (Lynda) Wert; grandchildren, Kristopher Wert and Jessica Wert; great-grandson, Skyler; and many nieces and nephews. He was a WWII Navy veteran who served in the Pacific Theatre. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Friends may visit with the family from 6-8 PM on Friday at the funeral home. Contributions in his memory to St. John?s Home would be appreciated.
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