Joseph E. Kohler

SUTTONS BAY — Joseph Edward Kohler, 65, of Suttons Bay, passed away Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born, Sept. 27, 1941, in Flint, the son of Leo A. Kohler and Bernadine A. Dobis. On July 14, 1962, he married his loving wife of 45 years, Diana Mary Wilson, who survives.

Joe's life as a carpenter mirrored his character of hard work, faith and family. Joe was very devoted to his baby sister, Shirley, who was seven years old when she passed. As a kid, he would volunteer to start the fire at St. Michael's school so he could be late to class.

A favorite childhood memory was the summer Joe spent on Grandpa Dobis' farm. He loved nature throughout his life. Young Joe raised guinea hens and even hand-fed a hen with a crooked beaked until it grew strong.

His kids have many warm memories of their father. A favorite was going to Mass with Joe, and afterwards being treated to cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa at Eddie's in Suttons Bay.

Joe was spontaneous; he didn't make plans. The kids could be awakened at 4 a.m. and next they'd be going to the U.P. Joe loved the U.P. and his many friends there.

He would drive the back way to everyplace. The back way to Gettysburg, New York, the U.P., etc. — it was never the direct route and usually at 40 m.p.h.! These spur-of-the-moment times were bonding times with his kids. Whether it was mushroom hunting, brook trout fishing or deer hunting, spending time with family was the key.

He was a man of nature. Joe loved to garden, growing veggies, or raspberries. He built bird feeders and watched the birds come for a bite to eat.

Those who met and knew Joe quickly became his friends. Joe would meet the guys for a game of euchre at Brady's in Old Towne. He had a knack for knowing a special tidbit about all of his friends.

Joe had a quick wit and sense of humor, a quick temper that never lasted long; it was quickly filled with love for his family. Home was his lynchpin — he loved big family gatherings, and his favorite was Christmas on the family farm. He was very proud to see his sons continue to run the family farm.

Friends and family will forever remember Joe as a man of nature, faith, and deep love for his family.

Joe is survived by his wife, Diana; mother, Bernadine; nine children, Douglas A. (Norman Smith) Kohler of Portland, Ore., Joseph E. (Susan) Kohler Jr. of Suttons Bay, Elaine S. (Joseph) Stachowiak of Imlay City, Heidi A. (David) Priest of Northport, Denise D, Wheeler of Mesick, Bethany L. Kohler, Christopher L. (Amanda) Kohler, Joshua D. (Jennifer) Kohler and Alexander P. (Cynthia) Kohler, all of Suttons Bay; eight siblings, Bernard (Sylvia) Kohler, Laurene (Roger) Stroh, Jeanette Huddleston, John (Linda) Kohler, Leo (Karen) Kohler, Albert (Rose Ann) Kohler, Dianne (Diz) Dalzell and Robert (Marla) Kohler; 27 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Joseph III and Hannah Kohler, Brandon, Samantha, Renee, Natasha and Sarah Stachowiak, David, Michael and Brandon Priest, Ashley, Shelby, Jason and Gracie Wheeler, Christopher Jr., Avery, Matthew, Jesse and Bridget Kohler, Madelyn, Morgan, Marissa (a.k.a. Melissa) and Mya Kohler, Page, Alexander Jr. (a.k.a. Zander) and Haylee Kohler; many loving nieces and nephews; and Dixie, his pooch and constant buddy.

He was predeceased by his father; grandparents; grand-nephew, Evan Warsecke; a sister, Shirley A. Kohler; a brother-in-law, William Huddleston; and his namesake, the Rev. Fr. Joseph E. Kohler.

A gathering will be held today, Aug. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 21, from 2 to 8 p.m., with a rosary service at 7 p.m., at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at St. Mary's Parish of Lake Leelanau. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The Rev. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary's Schools, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI, 49653; and/or Mass Intentions.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.