Robert Ganger

Age 84 of Sturgis, Michigan passed away peacefully Thursday morning June 13, 2019 surrounded by his family at his home on Big Fish Lake. He was born July 25, 1934 in Payne, Ohio son of the late Lerenzie and Margaret (Chehi) Ganger. He grew up in Paulding, Ohio where he and his three brothers learned to fly his dad's airplane and helped with their father's carpentry business. After graduating as Salutatorian of his class from Latty High School he attended General Motor Institute in Flint, Michigan where he earned his Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering while working at General Motors foundry in Defiance, Ohio. In September of 1960 he married Phyllis K. Barnhouse at the St. Joseph Catholic Church rectory in Paulding, Ohio. They spent 59 happy years together raising their five children, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. In 1969 Bob and family moved from Ohio to Sturgis to pursue a position with the Harter Corporation in Sturgis. Bob's career progressed, moving up the ranks. He held positions in Kalamazoo with Shakespeare, Speareflex, Anthony Industries and Glassmaster Controls while starting a consulting and manufacturing company. This business, G&H Industries in Centreville was in partnership with Paul Haas of Plainwell and soon became a family endeavor. Bob and Phyllis were enthusiastic vacationers spending a few weeks in Canada each years fishing and following retirement they enjoyed wintering half the year at their home in Arizona. He is survived by his wife: Phyllis; four sons: Robert (Beth) Ganger of Centreville, Michael (Sonja) Ganger of Manistee, Christopher Ganger of Manistee, Daniel Ganger of Linden; one daughter: Mary Kay Dennehy of Clarence, New York; 13 grandchildren: Amanda, Melissa, Stephanie, Christine, Joshua, Nicole, Morgan, Jessica, Katherine, Anastasia, Sydney, Madeline and Taylor; 16 great grandchildren; two brothers: Roland (Betty) Ganger of Paulding, Ohio and John (Cheryl) Ganger of Van Wert, Ohio and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents and one brother: David Ganger. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 P.M. Sunday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 where the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be recited at 7:30 P.M. Sunday. Prayers before the Mass will begin at 10:30 A.M. Monday at the funeral home followed by a procession to Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis where the Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Robert P. Ganger will begin at 11:00 A.M. The Rev. Father Evelio Ramirez will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the Mass at Oak Lawn cemetery in Sturgis. The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Ganger's memory consider the Holy Angels Catholic Church, 402 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091. The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.