Obituary of Herbert Waldecker

Herbert "Herb" B. Waldecker February 28, 1927 - April 11, 2008 Herbert "Herb" Bennett Waldecker, age 81, of Monroe passed away at 11:05pm; Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor. Herb was born on February 28, 1927 in Dearborn, Michigan to the union of the late Benjamin Waldecker and the late Margaret Kurz. He served in the US Navy during WWII. He married the love of his life Shirley Marie Clark on April 10, 1948. He had worked as a painter for several years for Chrysler and Detroit Edison. Herb was a self described Car Jockey. He enjoyed spending his time buying and selling used cars. Most recently he was employed by American Gunite as an Operating Engineer. In 2001 he retired after sustaining serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. Herb was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was a member and past-president of Brest Bay Gun Club, a member of the VFW Newport Post 3943 and the National Tractor Pulling Association. He also enjoyed participating in auto races at Detroit, Flat Rock, and Toledo Speedways. In addition to his wife of sixty years: Shirley, Herb leaves to cherish his memory a daughter: Sheryl and Daniel Smith; a son: Wayne and Julie Waldecker both of Newport; a daughter-in-law: Sara Waldecker of Monroe; five granddaughters: Deanna and Craig Pinkelman, Resa, Kara, Magdalena and Ashley Waldecker, three great granddaughters: Danielle Williams, and Allison and Alayna Pinkelman; and a great grandson: Keith Williams II; two brothers: Edward and Ethel Waldecker of Summerfield, FL and Walt and Nila Waldecker of Carleton; a sister: Carol and Eugene Bunge also of Summerfield; . He was preceded in death by a beloved son: Roger in February of 1995 and his parents. Friends may Gather on Monday, April 14, 2008 from 2-8pm at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, Frenchtown Township, (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will be held on Tuesday at 11:00am at Merkle's. The Rev. Ronald Schultz of Grace Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial at Riverside Cemetery, in South Rockwood will follow with graveside services under the auspices of the Downriver Honor Guard. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Lupus Foundation of America or to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor.