Herb Wallerius

George Herbert Mathias Wallerius Jr.,("Herb") 74, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend, passed away in Holland Hospital early Sunday morning August, 30th, 2015. He lived a storied life and will be remembered by all those who knew him for his kind, forgiving nature and his sense of humor as much as his sly wit and abundant charm which he maintained to his last.

Herb was born in Salina, Kansas, March 31st, 1941. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1963, and attended St. Regis University in Denver, Colorado. During his life he lived many places and eventually settled in Saugatuck, Michigan, but in his heart Salina was always his home. He was employed in a variety of professions including time as a mechanic in a California speed shop installing some of the first “four on the floor” shifters in hot rods. He also owned and operated several businesses which includes bars in Kansas and "The Newsstand" in Saugatuck. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after more than 25 years.

Herb’s greatest joy came from sharing his passions for life, cars, baseball, good food, music, and conversation with friends and family. Many will remember watching him race at the Kalamazoo Speedway, seeing him in and around town, or trading a friendly word with him at the post office. Those who knew him well will forever be grateful for the impression he made on their lives. We will miss his warmth and kindness. He left us with many fond memories, lessons learned, and a lifetime full of stories.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George Herbert Wallerius and Mary-Alice (Knudsen). He is survived by his siblings, Patrick and wife Patricia, Mary Sue Wallerius-Ash and husband David, son Zack and wife Serra (Morgan) their son Corgan, his daughters Stephanie (Patterson) her children Alyssa Mitch and Taylor, Stacie (Kline) her sons will and Austin, Erin (Ranger) and husband Mike their sons Bretley and Maguire, his children through marriage, Zac (Fitts), Sam (Beerthuis) her husband Dylan, their children Carson and Mckenzie, Joe (Fitts) his wife Rosa, their daughter Anastasia, Jeri (Rodriguez) her husband Omar, their children Gavin and Xzavier and their mother Merri-Beth, as well as his nieces and nephews Kelly (Drake), Jason, Michelle (Mages), Ryan (Ash), Christopher (Ash), Courtney (Ash) and many dear friends.

Visitation will be 6-8 pm at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Saugatuck Chapel, 520 Lake St., on Tuesday, September 8th. Funeral services will be held, 11 am, Wednesday, September 9th at St. Peter Catholic Church, 100 St. Peter Drive, in Douglas. Secondary services will also be held in his home town of Salina and are being arranged through Ryan’s Mortuary & Crematorium with following interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery.