Leslie Herman Soergel
August 19th, 1941 - June 27th, 2024
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Leslie Herman's Obituary
Leslie Herman Soergel, 82, passed away June 27, 2024 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, surrounded by his family.
Leslie was born in South Haven on August 19, 1941 to the late Lester and Anna (Mielke) Soergel. On March 20, 1962, he married his wife, Sue Makaryk, in South Haven. She survives along with their two daughters, Lisa (Grant) Ritenburgh and Julie Larkin. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lexy and Liv Ritenburgh and Madison and Gabriel "Bo" Larkin. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Loren and Lee Soergel.
Our father who art in heaven...
Our father, a man of strong Christian faith and everlasting love for his family, was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church.
Les joined the Navy right out of high school. A proud American willing to serve and fight for his country, traveling the world for the better part of four years. Upon his discharge, he returned to South Haven where he married his high school sweetheart, Sue, in 1962. They moved to Chicago where he pursued a career as an auto mechanic. After a short stent in Illinois, they returned to South Haven to start their life together as one and raise a family. He spent the majority of his career, and retired from, Bohn Aluminum as a coordinating engineer alongside his twin brother, Loren, until retirement. He also worked alongside his younger brother, Lee, throughout the years.
Our father was our rock, but he was so much more... He loved the sport of golf and was in a league for many years. He also loved his motorcycles and the freedom to ride. So many fond memories of riding with him; you'd often see him around town on his bike. He was an early riser and loved his politics. He was such a proud American. He was a man of few words but seemed to always get the last word in; he definitely took after our grandfather, Lester Soergel.
He was our late-night chauffeur, always looking out for us. He loved to play Keno and was a pretty good poker player too. A hard-working man who complained very little and provided the best life for our mother and family. He loved our family and would do anything for each and every one of us. He absolutely loved and adored his grandchildren... God took him from us too soon, for he will miss the highlights of their lives, including weddings and generational memories. But, we know he will be watching these glorious events front row and center with the biggest smile on his face. We will all miss his bear hugs, the kind that would squeeze you from deep within as he was sharing his heart with yours.
Les leaves behind a legacy - four amazing grandchildren, two daughters, one son-in-law, and now the rock of our family and the one he loved and adored so deeply, our mother. She is now our strong one.
Please join us on Friday, July 19, 2024 from 3-5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge for a celebration of Les’s wonderful life.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 269-637-0333
Leslie was born in South Haven on August 19, 1941 to the late Lester and Anna (Mielke) Soergel. On March 20, 1962, he married his wife, Sue Makaryk, in South Haven. She survives along with their two daughters, Lisa (Grant) Ritenburgh and Julie Larkin. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lexy and Liv Ritenburgh and Madison and Gabriel "Bo" Larkin. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Loren and Lee Soergel.
Our father who art in heaven...
Our father, a man of strong Christian faith and everlasting love for his family, was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church.
Les joined the Navy right out of high school. A proud American willing to serve and fight for his country, traveling the world for the better part of four years. Upon his discharge, he returned to South Haven where he married his high school sweetheart, Sue, in 1962. They moved to Chicago where he pursued a career as an auto mechanic. After a short stent in Illinois, they returned to South Haven to start their life together as one and raise a family. He spent the majority of his career, and retired from, Bohn Aluminum as a coordinating engineer alongside his twin brother, Loren, until retirement. He also worked alongside his younger brother, Lee, throughout the years.
Our father was our rock, but he was so much more... He loved the sport of golf and was in a league for many years. He also loved his motorcycles and the freedom to ride. So many fond memories of riding with him; you'd often see him around town on his bike. He was an early riser and loved his politics. He was such a proud American. He was a man of few words but seemed to always get the last word in; he definitely took after our grandfather, Lester Soergel.
He was our late-night chauffeur, always looking out for us. He loved to play Keno and was a pretty good poker player too. A hard-working man who complained very little and provided the best life for our mother and family. He loved our family and would do anything for each and every one of us. He absolutely loved and adored his grandchildren... God took him from us too soon, for he will miss the highlights of their lives, including weddings and generational memories. But, we know he will be watching these glorious events front row and center with the biggest smile on his face. We will all miss his bear hugs, the kind that would squeeze you from deep within as he was sharing his heart with yours.
Les leaves behind a legacy - four amazing grandchildren, two daughters, one son-in-law, and now the rock of our family and the one he loved and adored so deeply, our mother. She is now our strong one.
Please join us on Friday, July 19, 2024 from 3-5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge for a celebration of Les’s wonderful life.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 269-637-0333
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