Grant Werth

Born in Alpena on May 4, 1948, Grant led a life guided by the passions and values reflected in the community around him, farming, building, and contributing to our local schools and foreign exchange programs. His life’s work primarily focused on construction and energy efficient building design, which ranged in scope from building homes with his family to teaching building design nationally for the Department of Energy. Grant found joy in adventurous hobbies, flying his Cessna to attend air shows and traveling to every state in the US, many parts of Europe, Australasia, and several countries of South America. He served both as a reservist and active duty for the Naval Air Corps during the Vietnam Conflict.

Grant is survived by his loving wife Karen, his children Nathan Werth and Melissa Werth, his granddaughter Morgan Westwerth, and his sisters Janice Powell and Karen Penhallegon.

Grant will be most remembered as a man who could always see a way to innovate and improve the things around him. Thoughtful and thorough, his strong work ethic and high level of expectations made every building he worked with a unique and special place.

Notably, Grant was enthusiastic about energy efficient building design, always maintaining his high level of knowledge of the topic. He was always generous with his time in applying that knowledge when community members asked him to look at their buildings. He loved helping people solve problems and strived to be involved on a deep and genuine level when he was a part of something.

This enthusiasm for problem solving and raising the bar could also be seen in other avenues of his life. Science fairs and Pinewood Derbies for his children Melissa and Nathan often resulted in what could understatedly be called next level outcomes. Grant and his loving wife Karen hosted seventeen exchange students and teachers, but they also became a part of the Huron Shores Writing Institute to contribute to the creation of entirely new exchange programs for our community. In all aspects of life, Grant would strive to improve, innovate, and impress.

Grant’s family asks that you come and celebrate his life with them at Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, from 2 to 8 p.m. for visitation and on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, from 1 p.m. until the time of the Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. followed by military honors accorded him by VFW Alpena Post 2496.

Interment: King Settlement Cemetery

Memorials: Alpena High School FFA