Herbert G. Wegener

New Port Richey, FL

Formerly of Lansing, MI and Holiday, FL

First generation American, son of Walter and Erna (née Wilke) Wegener, born November 21, 1929 in Detroit, MI, passing away on January 19, 2023, surrounded by family.  Raised in Detroit, graduating from St. Anthony High School in Detroit and earning a BA in Accounting from the University of Detroit in 1952. Served in the United States Army, Honorable Discharge in 1949.  Served in Air Force ROTC during his college years, receiving his commission as a First Lieutenant upon graduation, with an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force Reserves in 1961.

Herb met Marie Madigan at youth dances held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Brighton.  They married on October 17, 1953.

Hired as an accountant by Detroit Transmission, Herb gathered experience in auditing and left there to begin a career with the Federal Government.  Herb held positions with the IRS, HEW, and HHS, retiring as a Supervisory Auditor from the HHS/OIG office in 1988.  In addition, he owned and operated his own accounting business in LaJolla while the family was in San Diego, California.

Advancing his career and family, Herb and Marie moved many times with stops in Madison, WI, Brighton, Howell, Holt, Lansing, Allegan, and San Diego, CA, returning to Lansing to stay in 1968.  Along the way the family grew with the addition of Thomas Madigan, Michael Herbert, Eric Walter, and Lisa Marie.

Herb and Marie were active members of Holy Cross Catholic Church and shared special times with the “Moosers” and then with “H.T.W”, two very special groups of friends.  They liked to travel (Alaska and Ireland were favorite destinations), visiting relatives in Michigan and throughout the United States, and spending time and hosting events at their cottage in Buckley.  They were doting grandparents, attending school, sporting events, and especially baptisms and weddings.  Whether near or far, every effort was made to be in attendance.

Herb was a 53 Year member of the Richard Council 788 Knights of Columbus and a member of the Bishop Albers Assembly 0496 of the Fourth Degree. Herb served as council Grand Knight for Richard Council 788, District Deputy, and as President of the Lansing Columbian Association.  Herb chaired many committees over the years and mentored many council officers.

Herb and Marie moved to Holiday, Florida after Herb’s retirement where he continued to be involved in the Knights of Columbus, serving on committees in Holiday and volunteering for the council’s building management.  Taking a request from John Matthews, a Past State Deputy of Michigan, and organizer of the Michigan Knights and Bishop Baraga Days in Florida, Herb began to organize these annual meetings for many years.  These events allowed ‘Snow Birds’ from Michigan and devotees of Bishop Baraga to meet, attend Mass, and get updates on the Cause for Sainthood of Venerable Bishop Baraga and learn of current events of the Michigan Knights.  Herb was awarded the Bishop Baraga Association Man of the Year in 2017, along with Glenn Barry.  After Herb’s mother Erna died at the age of 100, Herb and Marie moved to New Port Richey, where they continued to be active in their church, St. Vincent DePaul of Holiday, volunteering in the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Lazarus Society, and organizing the Baraga Florida Days for several years.

Preceding Herb are his parents, his wife of 56 years Marie, and his sister Gisela Sheldon.  Survived by four children Thomas (Joyce) Wegener, Michael (Vickey) Wegener, Eric (Karen) Wegener and Lisa (Marc) Blum.  Eleven Grandchildren Rebecca (Steven) Lantzy, Jennielle (Colin) Strother, Ricke (Meredith) Wegener, Madeline Wegener, Andrew Wegener, Christopher (Noelle) Wegener, Michelle (Matthew) Beattie, Adam Wegener, Sara Wegener, Jeffrey (Shannon) Blum, and Sean Blum.  Great-Grandchildren Nicholas and Katherine Lantzy, Ava and Cruz Strother, Step-Great-Grandchildren Tyler and Madison Rosene, Great-Grandchildren Scarlett Wegener; Addison, Josephine, and Avery Wegener, Step-Great-Grandson Colton Beattie; and Great-Granddaughter Audrey Blum.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January, 27th at 10:30am at St. Gerard Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Mark Martin as celebrant.  Visitation will be Thursday, January, 26th, from 6-8pm at the Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Delta Chapel, 6301 W St Joseph Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917 where the Rosary will be prayed at 7pm.  Visitation continues Friday at the church at 9:30am.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Bishop Baraga Association, 615 S. Fourth St., Marquette, MI  49855.  Condolences can be made at www.palmerbush.com.

A Livestream of the Knights of Columbus Services and Rosary Thursday night, can be watched by clicking on this link.

A Livestream of the Funeral Mass on Friday can be watched by clicking on this link.