Harry Goldberg

No one could imagine a life so rich as Harry Goldberg’s. Serving his country during wartime earning him many accomplishments, being a generous and successful business owner, as well as an extraordinary husband, father, and grandfather, Harry will be deeply missed. He lived his life generously giving of himself through his time and resources expecting nothing in return. He loved each and every person he met and made a lifetime of accepting others and helping others in need. His legacy of loving unconditionally will be his greatest gift left for his loved ones to fondly remember for generations to come.

During an exciting era that saw some of the nation’s greatest industrial growth and significant changes in culture, with the boom of automobiles, telephones and radio broadcasting, Harry and Edna Goldberg welcomed home their newborn son, Harry on January 19, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio. His birth brought them joy during an era in history that was filled with feelings of hope and independence. His father was a plumber and his mother a wonderful homemaker.

Growing up in Danville, Harry had a typical childhood. He attended local schools up until the eighth grade. As soon as he turned eighteen, he joined the United States Army in Fort Hayes, Ohio. He was discharged from Camp Atterbury on February 20, 1946 nearly on the same day that he enlisted three years earlier on February 23rd, 1943. He proudly served his country, earning himself an Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbon, an American Theater Ribbon, a good conduct medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. At the time he was discharged, Harry held a ranking of Tech 5 and held a talented skill set as an excellent plumber. A memorable time during his years of service was when he was stationed at Hickam Field in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a maintenance crew member. These years were often remembered with great pride.

His years of service and his love his country did not hold a candle to the fondness he had for his dear sweetheart, Eileen Marshall. The two of them met at Peniel Bible Institute. Eager to start a life of their own, the romantic couple eloped in March of 1948. Just a few years later, they had settled down in Vicksburg, Michigan to start their family. Sandy, Marjorie, and Paul brought great joy to their hearts and home. A steady provider for his growing family, it didn’t take long and his plumbing abilities were well known in the area. He was a good dad and was very proud of each and every one of his children. There simply wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. In addition to sharing his plumbing skills or helping with odd jobs, he was also good at giving fatherly advice. He was over the moon when his oldest daughter became the first female patrol officer for the City of Battle Creek Police Department. When she passed away in 1982, it was an especially difficult time for himself as well as the entire family.

With his plumbing business being so successful, he bought up and began running the local diner, Mar-Jo’s Restaurant in town for more than a dozen years. It was here that people in the community came to know and love him. Never one to remain idle, Harry enjoyed many unique and interesting hobbies, but mostly he just loved being a number one fan to his many grandchildren. He very much enjoyed attending every Vicksburg sporting event and KVCC softball game in which they were involved. His overflowing pride didn’t stop him from once interrupting a news anchor from Channel 3 News who was attending one of the games. He stepped right up and starting talking about his granddaughter, Lindsay who was the catcher at the time! Any time he managed to come across a young adolescent or someone about the same ages of one of his own grandkids, he’d ask if they knew any of them! Harry simply loved to boast about them! Not much of a music fan, Harry loved to listen to talk radio. If it was tuned into one of his favorite Republican news stations, all the better! He loved politics and loved to discuss them with anyone who’d let him bend their ear. Described as strong-willed, friendly, and hardworking, Harry leaves behind an abundant collection of warm memories for all who knew and loved him.

Harry William Goldberg, of Vicksburg, age 92, passed away Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Harry is preceded in death by one daughter, Sandra Lynn Wirth in May of 1982. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Eileen; one daughter, Marjorie Ann (Mark) Newhouse; one son, Paul William (Kitti) Goldberg; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 27th from 4 to 7 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). Harry will be buried with military honors at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Harry’s web page www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign his guestbook and share a memory.