ELDON ROBERT HEMPEL

He was born Sept. 6, 1932 in Belknap Township to Walter and Lillian (Bade) Hempel.

Eldon served in the United States Army, deployed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was tank pilot. Eldon worked for Mulvena Trucking for 15 years in the Alpena and Saginaw areas before marrying Ann Claus on Sept. 19, 1964 at St. Michael Lutheran Church. He was also an AAL Insurance Rep, retiring in 1987. He was a certified Lay Minister through the Lutheran Church, filling pulpits in Northern Michigan and U.P. from Newberry east. Eldon enjoyed coin collecting, hunting, fishing and taking care of his bees. Eldon loved spending time his family and especially his granddaughters.

Eldon is survived by his wife Ann of 54 years; two children, David Hempel of Rogers City and Susan (Jeffrey) Kloha of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four grandchildren, Taylor Kloha, Gabrielle Kloha, Jessica Hempel and Alysse Hempel; daughter-in-law, Krista Hempel; and brother, Ronald (Sandi) Hempel of Alpena.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Chris Hempel; and a brother, Walter Jr.

Friends may visit at the Beck Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 3, from 4- 8 pm. with prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday at St. Michael Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. until time of his funeral at 11 a.m. with Pastor Paul Boerger officiating. The Rogers City VFW Post 607 will accord military honors following the service.

Interment will take place in the Spring at St. Michael Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to McLaren Hospice in memory of Eldon Hempel.

Arrangements in care of the Beck Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be addressed through www.beckfuneralhome.org