Ernest W. Kempter

Ernest W. Kempter Lansing Age 84, passed away August 29, 2010. He was born October 19, 1925, in Saginaw. Ernie moved to Lansing in 1947 and worked at Home Dairy as a bookkeeper. In 1949, he married Helen Kain, and began working with her brothers at Kain Brothers Plumbing and Heating. Ernie continued his plumbing career as a member of Local #333 and had served as their financial secretary for many years. He retired in 1988. Ernie enjoyed sports, being in the company of people, his family, and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife. Surviving are: 4 children, Jean (Tom) Foghino of Kalamazoo, Patty (Rich) Jacobs of Hersey, Mary (Pat) Bridson of DeWitt and David Kempter of Lansing; 5 grandchildren, Ellen (Christopher) Smith, Michael Garrison, William (Christina) Jacobs, Carrie Jacobs, and Paula Bridson; great-granddaughter, Olivia Smith; sister, Mary Lou Hanafin of Saginaw. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at St. Mary Cathedral with The Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Njus as celebrant. The Rite of Committal will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, where the Rosary wil be prayed at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, or the Greater Lansing Food Bank in memory of Ernest Kempter. The family expresses a special thank you to Dr. John Gobel, and also to the staff at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan.