Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-life-panel.jpg

George Altermatt

October 1, 1929 - April 5, 2014
Portage, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-01.jpg



Visitation

Tuesday, April 8, 2014
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, April 9, 2014
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Lunch to follow in the Life Story Center

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes
901 Portage Street
Kalmazoo, MI 49001
343-3663
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

George Altermatt was simply an amazing man, a man of character, of love and of integrity. He lived his life deliberately and with a great sense of purpose; he understood the value of hard work and knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, who derived great joy from watching his family grow and succeed. George was a hard worker and a man of many interests, but it was the moments he shared with those he loved that meant the world to him. His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.

Although the life-saving antibiotic, penicillin, debuted in 1929, the year is better remembered for the stock market crash that sent America into the Great Depression. For George Altermatt and his wife, Frances (Scheid), of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the year held yet another meaning. It was then that the couple welcomed the birth of their son, George, Jr. in Battle Creek, Michigan on October 1, 1929. Little George was the only boy among three sisters in his family; however, he was not the only “George.” This was a family name passed down for several generations, and at one time, there were three “Georges” running around the Altermatt house, so he became known as “Junior.” George grew up in Kalamazoo and received his education in the area schools. A few years after graduating, he followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country during the Korean Conflict.

In 1957, a wonderful thing happened to George – he met the love of his life, Ann (Barich), after being set up on a blind date together. The two dated for a year before being married in the St. Joseph Church in Kalamazoo on June 28, 1958. Soon after saying “I do,” the happy couple put down roots in a new neighborhood called Meistro Acres on the south side of Portage Township. With woods to explore and a big hill for sledding in the winter, it was the perfect place for George and Ann to raise their three sons, Scott, Jeff and Bob. They also had an in-ground pool in the backyard, which became the favorite summer hangout for friends and neighbors. Many great memories were made around that pool for many years! Time together as a family was very important to George and Ann, and every year they would rent a cabin up north for a week in the summer for some fun and relaxation too.

Besides sharing much love and laughter, George was a good and faithful provider for his family. He worked at Rheem Manufacturing for several years before becoming a Supervisor at Kalamazoo Stamping and Die. George retired in 1981 because of failing health, but this just meant that he had more time to go fishing, and even started ice fishing in the winter. Somewhat of a perfectionist, George took great pride in keeping his yard and house in great shape, and it seems there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. It was only natural that George kept his cars just as immaculate and clean too. In 1987, George was forced to slow down a bit when he had open heart surgery. He really took this as a wake-up call and began exercising and dieting on a regular basis.

Although not much of travelers, after Ann retired, she and George took an unforgettable month-long trip to Arizona in 1993. They also took a trip to Orlando, Florida in 1998 with the grandchildren and had a grand time. They enjoyed going up to Mackinac Island and also visiting their son, Bob, in Virginia. By this time, George was the proud and adoring grandfather of four grandchildren, Calvin, Kayla, Kyle and Jamie. He loved spending time with them, and was always finding projects for them to do together around the house, like building birdhouses and working in the garden. He had the patience of a saint, and was never in a hurry – everything was done in his time. In the last few years, George’s health had become more of an issue, and he really did slow down. He spent more time enjoying some of his favorite TV shows, like Pawn Stars and the Price is Right. He was also a big fan of the Detroit Tigers and kept up on them, watching their games. Often times, George and his best friend, Joe, would hit the road together, wandering the countryside and visiting local fairs and auctions. They were known to go out car shopping together too, test driving cars and then haggling with the salesman to get the price they were happy with.

For George, family was the greatest source of happiness in his life. He wanted to be a strong, kind father for his boys, and by example, he taught them things that matter most in life, like working hard to achieve your goals while treating people with respect and kindness along the way. So very proud of his sons and grandchildren, George appreciated how very fortunate he was to have the family he did – and that was what made every day the “greatest day of his life.”

George Altermatt, age 84, of Portage, MI died on Saturday, April 5, 2014. Members of his family include his wife of 56 years, Ann (Barich); 3 sons: Scott, Jeff and Bob (Kristen) Altermatt; 4 grandchildren: Calvin, Kayla, Kyle and Jamie; a sister, Lois Gillaspie; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Elizabeth Mary Altermatt; his parents; and 2 sisters: Kathleen Steers and Theresa Soule.

Learn more about George, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends on, Tuesday, April 8, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9. Please visit George’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or a charity of your choice.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/014/98559/98559-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg