Gailen L. Briegel

Gailen L. Briegel Pennfield Gailen L. Briegel, 82, of Pennfield, died on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at his home. Mr. Briegel was born on November 28, 1926, in Coldwater Township, to John L. and Edna (Barve) Briegel. He attended Bush Country School. Mr. Briegel served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946 on the Carrier USS Hancock during World War II. On September 2, 1949, he married Geraldine "Jerry" VanZant in Angola, Indiana. Mr. Briegel worked for the Eaton Company in Marshall for 32 years. He retired in 1983. Mr. Briegel was a life member of the VFW, life member of the Masonic Temple, the Marshall Moose Lodge #676, and the USS Hancock Association. He and his wife both were members of the Wagon Wheels Square Dancing Club, and the Rolling Wheels Camping Club. Mr. Briegel enjoyed traveling, working in his garage and restoring old cars. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially time spend with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jerry of Pennfield; a daughter, Gayle (Gary) Raymond of Climax; three sons, Brian (Billie) Briegel, Bruce Briegel all of Tekonsha, and Brent (Karen) Briegel of Pennfield; seven grandchildren, Terri Raymond, Celeste Briegel, Becky Briegel, Brooke Br iegel, Brittany Briegel, Bracey Briegel, and Bradley Briegel; and three great-grandchildren, Makayla, Cameron, and Brenden. He is also survived by two sisters, Deloris Dawson of Battle Creek, and MaryJo (Ballard) Cole of Tekonsha. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother C. Howard Briegel. Visitation will take place at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Monday from 1-7 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 1-3pm and 5-7 p.m. Funeral services celebrating his life will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with the Reverend Tom Fox officiating. Interment will follow at Lyon Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Funeral Home. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guest book at www.kempffuneralhome.com