Gerald Thenen

Gerald James Thenen, age 62, of Burlington, MI passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 20, 2017 in Battle Creek. He was born on February 12, 1955 a son of Frederick L. and Lorraine G. (O'Day) Thenen in Coldwater. Gerald graduated from Tekonsha High School with the Class of 1973. On June 3, 1978 he married Katherine L. Stegman in Bangor. Together they shared 38 wonderful years. Gerald was a Journeyman Millwright by trade and the President and CEO of Hackett Construction & Millwright Services in Battle Creek, where he worked for the past 43 years. He was a Member of and Trustee Chairperson for the First Baptist Church of Tekonsha, bass singer for the ministry quartet "The St. Joe River Boys," served as a Regional board member for the ABC-MI, served on the Burlington Township Planning Commission and also as a past Trustee, a board member of the Fennville Millwrights JATC, and a member of Kalamazoo Valley & Calhoun County Yesteryear Tractor Clubs. Gerald enjoyed his family & the farm he had been blessed with, his church & church family, antique tractors, camping, golfing, and singing. Surviving Gerald are his wife, Katherine Thenen of Burlington, daughter, Andrea Thenen of Burlington, sons, Gerald (Deborah) Thenen of Union City and Nicholas Thenen of Burlington, three grandchildren, Alexander and Luka Thenen, and since his passing, a new grandboy, Garrett Thenen, whom he had been looking forward to meeting, brothers, Frederick (Michele) Thenen Jr. of Tekonsha, LaVerne Thenen of Marshall, Raymond Thenen of Marshall, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Relatives and friends will be received on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Kempf Family Funeral Homes Marshall Chapel 723 Old US 27 N Marshall, MI 49068. A celebration of Gerald's life will take place at 2 PM on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Tekonsha, 914 N Main St, Tekonsha, MI 49092 with Pastor Brian Perry officiating. Interment will follow at Burlington Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Tekonsha or Forgotten Man Ministries. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home.