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Patrick Michael Werme

January 24, 1991 - July 3, 2018
Portage, MI

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Visitation

Sunday, July 8, 2018
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Monday, July 9, 2018
11:00 AM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Burial to follow service at South Portage Cemetery; S. Westnedge.

Luncheon to follow burial at Bud's Bar; 220 N. Grand Street; Schoolcraft, MI 49087.

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.

Section 1776
P.O. Box 76
Paw Paw, MI 49079

Please make checks payable to "The Section Collection".

Web Site

Wounded Warrior Project
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(877) 832-6997
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


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Patrick Werme was a sincere, outgoing and gifted athlete. He was a beautiful human being who possessed a winning personality, and intense loyalty to those he loved. Patrick made everyone he met feel special in his presence, and established lasting friendships with ease. Described as an old soul, he was admired for his wisdom, kindness, and deep compassion for others. To know him was a blessing. His authentic acceptance of others will live on as his greatest legacy, along with the close bond he shared with his brother and sisters. Although he left this world far too soon, Patrick’s rich collection of memories will forever hold a special place in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

On January 24, 1991, Chris and Mary (Connors) Werme welcomed home their newborn son, Patrick Michael, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His birth brought much joy and happiness to the family home.

Growing up in the small town of Schoolcraft, Patrick lived a classic childhood of the times. From the very beginning, his easygoing nature was a blessing to his parents when all it would take was a bottle before bed - and Patrick would be fast asleep through the whole night. As a child, Patrick was most content when he was outdoors. As a matter of fact, he found great solace in nature throughout his entire life. Whether he was fishing, camping, or falling asleep under a starlit sky, he always longed to be in the woods with his Uncle Bob: one of most special people in Patrick’s life. These interests remained consistent during his adolescent years, where he counted down the days to hunting season, enjoyed dirt biking, and endlessly casting his fishing line into any open water he could find! He often talked of settling down one day in a home in Schoolcraft, where he could roam freely and explore nature.

As a teenager, he played various sports that kept him active and socially busy. Although he loved both hockey and football, golf was his all-time favorite! Despite both of his sisters trying to pass on their talent, Basketball simply was not in his wheelhouse. Instead, golf ended up being where his raw, natural talent was on full display. Golf was Patrick’s true passion. It was his escape. When he put that tee in the ground on the first hole; he was in his element. He was a true ball-striker. He was known for his short backswing, reverse-c finish, and his innate ability to buy drinks for everyone……on his dad’s tab.

Alongside his love for golf, Patrick was drawn to the water. Whether warm or cold, he savored the times he went fishing, swimming, boating, and snowboarding. He even enjoyed a brief career in surfing…. that was promptly ended the moment he spotted his first shark. No, Patrick far preferred the golf green, where a game could be picked up at any time, including a recent young amateurs’ competition in which he took fourth place.

After witnessing the tragedy of 9/11, Patrick had his sights set on serving his Country. At the tender age of seventeen, and with his parent’s blessing - he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After graduating Schoolcraft High School, he left for basic training. Stationed in Camp Pendleton, Patrick proudly served for eight years. He saw two combat deployments and four tours between Afghanistan, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. During his time enlisted, he was classified as a mortarman, and eventually earned the prestigious role of Sergeant. Patrick was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st battalion 1st Marines unit “No Love”. From that point forward, he was driven to reenlist. He was stationed with the 1st battalion 5th Marines. Patrick was a leader and an effective Marine. Most importantly - he was an excellent human being, and a great man.

In August of 2015, while stationed in California, he bumped into a woman (Jamie) in a local bar who would soon steal his heart. Shortly after they met, Patrick left on a six-month deployment. Despite the distance, their relationship only grew stronger. Patrick and Jamie decided that they wanted nothing more than to settle down together in the country and raise a family. Luckily for him, Kaylee and Danielle made that dream a reality! Jamie’s two daughters were easy to love, and enjoyed their time with Patrick. He was able to share his passions with them, taking them fishing, mini golfing, bowling, and camping! Nothing brought him greater happiness than playing the role of their father, where he was most certainly a natural. Patrick wanted the very best for them, which was easy to see by the tender way he cared for them, including baiting their hooks - which went against his every intention of encouraging their independence! After teaching them every trick in the book, as it turned out, they were better at fishing than he was!

Wise beyond his years, most of Patrick’s closest friends were retired. With an unparalleled loyalty for the people close to him, no one could surpass his willingness to drop everything and be there for them. Patrick, or Patters, or Patterman, as he was affectionately called by his family, wore his heart on his sleeve. Any time a friend or family member was going through troubled times, they could always count on Patrick for his guidance, caring ways, and non-judgmental listening ear. He would selflessly help carry their burdens, and deeply grieve right alongside them. His approach to life was admirable in the ways he stayed true to himself, no matter the situation. Patrick and his boundless love for his family, friends, and USMC brothers will be greatly respected and lovingly remembered by all who were lucky enough to know him forever.

Patrick Michael Werme, age 27, of Portage, passed away July 3, 2018. He is survived by his parents; Mary Werme, Chris and Michelle Werme; siblings: Elizabeth (Brad) Koetsier, Chris Werme (Aubree Thomas), Rachel Werme (Kevin Kirk), step-brother Ethan Tellier; nephews: Brecken and Landen; his fiance, Jamie Klockow and their daughters, Kaylee and Danielle; grandparents: Donald and Pat Werme and Joyce Connors; godparents Galyn and Steve Barnum; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends as well as his treasured furry companions: Cooper and Lucy. He leaves behind a significant number of USMC brothers in arms with whom he served. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, William Connors, Uncle Tim Connors, grandmother, Gayl Werme, and cousins, Lucas and Jack Hermsen. Visit with Patrick’s family and friends on Sunday from 2-5 pm at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive; Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where services will be held on Monday at 11:00 am. Burial, with full military honors, at the South Portage Cemetery. Lunch will follow at Bud’s Bar, 220 N. Grand Street; Schoolcraft. Please visit Patrick’s personal memory page at www.BetzlerFuneralHome.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Section 1776, payable to “The Section Collection,” or to Wounded Warriors.

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