Samuel G. Bosserd Jr.

Samuel G. Bosserd Jr. Marengo Twp. Samuel G. Bosserd Jr., age 64, of Marengo Township, Marshall, longtime Marengo Township Fire Chief and Marshall City Firefighter, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday morning, October 9, 2008. Sam was born on September 21, 1944 in Marshall to Samuel G. and Betty J. (Patton) Bosserd. Sam had spent his life in the community. He attended the South Brick Rural School in Marengo Township until the eighth grade when he entered Marshall High School. Sam graduated from there in 1962. In 1963 he started at Eaton's in Marshall as a janitor on third shift. Sam worked his way into different levels of responsibilities over the years, ending his 44-year career there in 2007 as a Machine Repairman. Sam was the "last man out" of Eaton's when the plant closed down. Sam was blessed with talent to tear apart, fix, create and fabricate mechanical things. His sister Sharon remembers him starting this as a boy, tearing apart every bicycle he ever had and seeing how it worked. Later in life his talents were appreciated at Eaton's, by his family, and certainly by area firefighters who frequently "called Sam" to get something fixed or made. Sam's career in the fire service started in 1970 when he joined the Marengo Township Fire Department. In April of 1980 he joined the Marshall Fire Department as a paid, on call firefighter also. He had served the citizens of Marengo Township as their fire chief since 1989. Sam's dedication to the safety of his fellow firefighters has helped them come home safely the many years he had been chief. The same dedication has well served Marengo Township very well during his tenure with improvements to training and equipment, always on a budget, being accomplished to better protect Sam's neighbors. Sam spent many volunteer hours keeping Marengo fire equipment running. He rebuilt a dump valve for their tanker, improving it's efficiency dramatically. Sam was an active member of the Calhoun County Chief's council. He took a particular interest in the county's Fire Prevention Program and became an advocate for it. He and his wife Kate enjoyed volunteering their time together each year for many years during Fire Prevention Week. The night before Sam died he spent it at Cornwell's for the annual Fire Prevention Week exhibit, enjoying the many children there and helping teach them about fire safety. Even while serving as Marengo's chief, Sam still was an active on call firefighter for Marshall and was a member of its Firefighter's Association. Sam will be remembered by his brother and sister firefighters as a "firefighter's firefighter." Sam was married to Kathleen E. "Kate" Tappan on June 21, 1985 in Marshall's Council Chambers by Judge Coleman. Kate preceded Sam in death on June 13 of this year. He was married to Sue Ellen Krohn in 1963. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1983. Sam enjoyed a special trip to Italy with Kate and friends. He was a member of the UAW and had served as a Union Steward at Eaton's. He was an active helper with the Mar Lee Cub Scout Troop, teaching fire safety and helping with anything his sons needed when they served as leaders there. When his sons were scouts themselves Sam took part in numerous scouting activities with them. Sam enjoyed the Calhoun County Fair each year, and he and Kate were familiar sights there during that week. He liked to accompany his stepdaughter Hilarie to her 4-H Horse Club events. He enjoyed hunting, especially deer. He will be remembered for his very helpful nature, always lending a hand to family and friends without being asked when he saw it was needed. Surviving are his sons, Mark (Lori) Bosserd of Coldwater, Jeff (Teri) Bosserd of Albion and Steve (Bonnie) Bosserd of Lafayette, IN; 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; stepdaughter, Hilarie (Guy Morton) Walters of Battle Creek; stepson, Joseph M. (Peggy Quals) Needham II of Ceresco; 2 stepgrandchildren; his mother, Betty J. Bosserd of Marshall; his sister, Sharon (Blaine) VanSickle of Marshall and brother Tom Bosserd of Ypsilanti; and nieces and nephews. Sam was preceded in death by his father also. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Sunday 1-8 p.m. where family will be present 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. to greet friends and share memories. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Monday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Marshall United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in Marengo Memorial Cemetery. Friends who wish make memorials to Marengo Fire Department Scholarship Fund or Calhoun County Fire Prevention (with checks made to BCCF-FPWP). Assistance available at Kempf Funeral Home. To sign the online guest register and leave a personal message for the family visit www.kempffuneralhome.com