William Havel

William Leo Havel, 96, formerly of Magician Lake, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Forest Glen Assisted Living, Dowagiac, Michigan after a brief illness. Born April 29, 1921 in St. Louis, he was raised in Lemay, Missouri, a first-generation American and the third of five sons born to Czech immigrants John and Mary (Zimek) Havel. Blessed with an inquisitive mind and a vision for what was possible, Bill early on demonstrated an aptitude for mechanics and engineering. Despite the challenges of a Depression-era upbringing he managed to enroll in the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri at Columbia in the fall of 1939.  Out of funds after his freshman year he found work with Curtis-Wright and, among other projects, was proud of the drawings he did for the WWII C-46 transport plane as a nineteen-year-old draftsman.  In 1942 he returned to Columbia and resumed his studies, simultaneously teaching a course in Drafting.  He graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1944 and was hired by Clark Supply Company, a defense contractor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  It was there that he met and fell in love with Montie Ann Boelk, who became his bride on September 1, 1945. After the war Bill landed a job with the Barber-Colman company in their Chicago office.  Unable to find suitable housing after a six-month search he was poised to take employment elsewhere when offered the opportunity to open an office in South Bend, Indiana.  Quickly realizing the new territory was too large to cover alone, he persuaded Barber-Colman to hire his brother, Bob.  The brothers worked side-by-side sod-busting northern Indiana and southwest lower Michigan for two years, during which time Bill earned his Professional Engineer’s license.  Their successful alliance eventually led to the formation in 1950 of “Havel Bros.,” specializing in commercial temperature control and air distribution products.  The company continued to grow and flourish when brother Dick came on board several years later.  Bill retired in 1976, at age 55. While honeymooning on Gilmore Beach, Bill and Montie fell in love with Magician Lake.  In the fifties they bought a summer cottage there and later a year-round home which became their full-time residence in 1972.  After Bill’s retirement they spent winters on Anna Maria Island in Florida among a lively circle of friends.  During this period—and before—he and Montie enjoyed several national and international trips. Bill was a dedicated gardener, known for his beautiful flower garden and choice vegetables. In retirement he took up golf, which he played into his nineties. He enjoyed fishing and was an enthusiastic cook, particularly noted for his Christmas coffeecakes, now a family tradition.  He was also a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner at Sacred Heart of Mary, where for many seasons he served as a summertime usher.  Bill was a good husband, father and friend and his lessons to his children continued to the very end. May he rest in well-deserved peace, the trials of this life now finally behind him. He is survived by his children: Bill (Helen) Havel of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mary Ellen (Jim) Mulder of Westerville, Ohio; Lynn Havel (Jonathan) Lucker of Decatur, Michigan; John (Melissa) Havel of Carmel, Indiana; and Laurie Havel of Kalamazoo, Michigan.  He is also survived by his son-in-law Jim Balfour of Dowagiac, Michigan; seven grandchildren: Bill, Carrie, Eric, Sarah and Danielle Havel, and Jim and Jason Mulder; nine great-grandchildren; his brother Richard (Cynthia) Havel of Hollywood, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: John, Frank and Bob; and his beloved wife Montie (August 3, 2013) and daughter Ann Balfour (December 10, 2015). The family would like to express its appreciation to the loving and compassionate staff at Forest Glen Assisted Living, who helped Bill through the last 15 months of his life. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Dowagiac. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5-7 pm with a rosary recited at 7:00 pm at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Those wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at www.clarkch.com. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s name to Sacred Heart of Mary Church Building Fund, 51841 Leach Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047; or Senior Companion Program, 918 Jasper Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.