George Behner

George Behner, 92, of New Buffalo, Michigan passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014 in Englewood, Florida.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M.  Friday, May 30, 2014 at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St. New Buffalo. Burial to follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harbor Country Food Pantry or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign George’s guestbook may do so online at www.sommerfeldchapel.com.  George was born April 1, 1922 in New Buffalo, MI to George & Elizabeth (Berndsen) Behner.  He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII on a minesweeper in the Pacific. After the war, he married Bertha Michalski on January 18, 1946 in St. Joseph, MI and they had 2 daughters Elise & Caprice. George owned and operated Red Arrow Marina with his wife Bertha for over 40 years. He, along with Bob Royce and others were a part of the group who lobbied for the New Buffalo Harbor Project.  He served on the Berrien County Road Commission, and the Berrien County Building Authority that financed the new county courthouse building.  Locally, he served on the New Buffalo School Board, and the New Buffalo Township Board of Review. George was an avid hunter and fisherman he won Top Gun honors at the MUCC trap shoot meet in 1950.  He loved his perch fishing in Lake Michigan and deer hunting in the Upper Peninsula with his ‘second family’ the Lawrence’s.  George loved playing cards with his friends in New Buffalo and Florida.  He is survived by his daughter Caprice Behner of New Buffalo and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife in 2008, daughter Elise Behner in 1998 and siblings Frank, Frances, Christine, Agnes, Mary, Josephine and Hank.