Carl A. "Spark" Stierheim

Carl A. "Spark" Stierheim, age 95 years, passed away Sunday morning, February 26, 2017 at MediLodge of Frankenmuth. He was born on April 20, 1921 in Oxford, Michigan, the son of the late John and Minnie (Rotter) Stierheim. On April 10, 1943 he and Marie Trea were united in marriage, and after 68 years together she preceded him in death on September 7, 2011. Carl was a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He had a love for electronics at an early age, continuing with his time in the service as a Radio Operator and later pursuing a hobby as a Theater Projectionist. Carl spent time working in two of Vassar's theaters and one in Frankenmuth. He retired from United Plastics in 1974 with 28 years of service and was a member of the American Legion Post #225 in Lansing. Carl was an active and longtime member of St. Luke's Ev. Lutheran Church in Vassar. Surviving family include his daughter, Deborah (Arnold) Gouine; grandchildren, Joshua (Barbara) Shepherd, Lyndsey (Kyle) Hitsman, Jared Carl Stierheim, Kayla Marie Stierheim, Wendy (Peter) Paul, Amy (Jeffery) Allen and Kathy (Aaron) Burrows; great-grandchildren, Matthew Faber, Peter Lazlo Zoltan Paul, Isobel Clare Paul, Jeffery Mark Allen Jr., Brady Elizabeth Allen, Aaron James Burrows II, Aryanna Jaelyn Burrows, Emily Shepherd, Kolton Hitsman and Lillian Hitsman; daughter-in-law, Bobbi Jo Stierheim; sister-in-law, Shirley Smith and many nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his son; Ronald Stierheim; step-father, Alonzo Hallen Frost; brothers, William J. and Herman J. Stierheim; sisters, Martha McCormick and Emma Rouseau; and a brother-in-law, Harry Smith. Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at St. Luke's Ev. Lutheran Church (916 W. Huron Ave.) in Vassar. Pastor James Plocher and Vicar Timothy Leistekow officiating. Private interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Vassar. The family will greet friends and family at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those desiring may make contributions to St. Luke's Ev. Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 149 N. Main St. in Vassar.