Trending
July 23, 1941 – Nov. 6, 2023
Martin Carl Gehres, our dear husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away on Nov. 6, 2023 at the age of 82.
Carl was born to Martin and Betty Gehres in Lincoln, Michigan on July 23, 1941. He graduated from Alcona High School in 1959 before attending the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, Connecticut where he graduated in 1962.
Carl started his 30-plus year career in the food business, mostly working with Saga Foods in Supervision and Purchasing. Carl and Carol moved to Alma, Michigan where he was Food Service Director at Alma College. Next, he became a District Manager for Saga Foods in their Food Service Division in Englewood, Ohio. Carl took a Purchasing position with Saga Foods and moved his family to Brighton, Michigan, where he finished his career working for Saga Foods and then Professional Food Management. Carl and Carol then moved back home to Harrisville to enjoy their retirement near the shores of Lake Huron.
Carl and Carol were married on Aug. 25, 1962 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Harrisville, Michigan and soon welcomed their first child, Jeff. Over the next 13 years, their family grew with the births of Tom, Kristin and Mike.
Through the years, Carl enjoyed hunting, fishing, working at the Gehres Farm and spending time with his family. After he retired, Carl loved visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama with Carol during the winter months. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids at the Gehres Farm in Lincoln, Michigan. For many years, the family would gather at the farm on the Fourth of July for a day of food and fun. The day would end at Carl and Carol's house in Harrisville for fireworks.
Carl never met a stranger. He loved telling jokes and had an unforgettable laugh.
Carl is survived by his wife, Carol, their children -- Jeff (Sue) Gehres, Tom (Shelley) Gehres, Kristin (Mike) Weber and Mike (Jennifer) Gehres; 10 grandchildren -- Mike (Ashley), Brad (Ana), Kailey (Ryan), Chad (Emily), Abbey (Kevin), Spencer (Olivia), John, Emma, Avery and Fisher. Carl was also the great-grandfather of Willa, Ozzy and Layla. Carl is survived by his sisters, Barb and Joan (Syl) and brother, Larry. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Betty Gehres.
Visitation will take place on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln, Michigan. Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Westminster Presbyterian Church -- 201 N. 2nd St., Harrisville, Michigan, 48740 with a visitation from 10-11 a.m. and the funeral service at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations can be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Harrisville, Michigan.