Louis Saye

Saye, Louis Mertz "Jack" Louis Mertz "Jack" Saye, 85, of Battle Creek, died peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Jack was born October 12, 1930 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Louis B. and Katherine (Mertz) Saye. He grew up in Kalamazoo and was a 1949 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. Jack fell in love at first sight with Julia Marie Lemm. Before ever meeting her he told his friends 'that one is mine.' A short time later the two were married on August 8, 1951. Early on in their marriage they moved to Flixton, England, where Jack was stationed at Burtonwood Air Force Base. While in England they began to build their family when the first two of six children were born. When asked by his grandchildren what it was like starting a family at a young age, Jack was known to respond with "I wanted to grow up with my kids." Jack served his country during the Korean Conflict as a member of the U.S. Air Force, and his love for planes and automobiles never ceased. An ongoing joke amongst Jack's family and friend's was a dune buggy he had built from a scrap jeep and old cement forms. It was a head turner at Silver Lake Sand Dunes that never sat still. Jack gave the best dune rides around. With Jack's unique driving skills, family and friends would wait all day for their turn to ride. It was referred to with pride as 'Jack's Joke.' Upon returning to the United States in 1955, Jack began work with H.L. DePriester Company where he advanced to Vice President. In 1977, Jack along with his 4 sons started their family business, Saye Concrete & Construction, which ran for 34 years under his leadership and employed multiple generations of family. During this time, he enjoyed working on many of the well-known buildings throughout our community including Kellogg Community College and the Kellogg House. One of Jack's most fondly recalled jobs was pouring the walls for the new St. Jerome Church, which he and his family attended regularly. Surviving Jack are his six children, Ralph (Evelyn) Saye of Battle Creek, Jackie (Bill) Heinrich of Sturgis, Sue (Jack) Hagist of Bellevue, Tim (Vicky) Saye of Climax, Tom (Laura) Saye of Venice, FL, Peter (Irene) Saye of Battle Creek; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Katherine (Colin) Orosz of Fruitport and Sally (George) Crouch of Richland. Jack was preceded in death by his ever-loving wife of 64 years, Julia on November 7, 2015; his parents and stepmother Hazel B. Saye. Jack was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church. He enjoyed deer hunting with his family, and shooting guns especially when visiting his grandsons in Montana. Jack was a great role model for all, and will be remembered for his quiet wisdom, relentless humor, and the pureness of his love. The family looks forward to celebrating Jack's life with friends from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2016 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Avenue N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Christopher J Derda at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Military honors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jerome Catholic Church, 229 Collier Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49037; or SouthernCare Hospice, 1911 W. Centre Ave., Suite 1, Portage, MI 49024. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.