Erwin Hasse

Erwin “Butch” Hasse, 80, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Thursday, December 24, 2015 at his home with his loving family at his side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1965 Broadway, Benton Harbor, with Rev. Paul Naumann officiating.  Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma.  Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph and also one hour prior to the service at the Church.  Memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Hospice at Home.  Those wishing to sign Butch’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Butch was born January 15, 1935 in Baroda to Emil and Elsie (Krieger) Hasse.  He attended New Troy High School and on April 14, 1956 he married the former Dorothy Mielke in St. Joseph.  Butch started working for Karsen Ford in St. Joseph and in 1959 founded Hasse’s Standard Service in Benton Harbor, doing mechanic work and selling gas for Standard Oil.  This was the same year that I-94 was being built, which prompted him to purchase his first tow truck.  With the dedication and assistance of his employees and his family, the business grew.  Eventually gas sales discontinued and the fleet of tow trucks increased.  In the early 80’s he saw the need and purchased the first of many cranes.  In 2001, Butch retired and the business was split into Hasse’s Towing Service & Hasse’s Crane Service.  Even though retired, Butch would continue to “Go to Work”. Over the years Butch instilled his work ethic of dedication into his family and employees. That is what was instrumental in the success of his business.  Butch was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  In his free time he enjoyed spending time with his family, participating in the neighborhood baseball game in the family’s side lot or cheering for the Detroit Tigers. Butch is survived by his wife Dorothy; his children-Steve (Sharon) Hasse of Benton Harbor, Jean McNitt of Berrien Springs, Thomas (Tami) Hasse of Sodus, Mary Kent of Leo, IN; seven grandchildren-Justin (Cortney) McNitt, Amanda (Brent) Brock, Brittany McNitt, Lee (Samantha) Hasse, Monica (Fiancée-Mike Grix) Hasse, Tyler & Tanner Hasse; four  great-grandchildren-MaKenna & Landon McNitt, Samuel Brock & Carson Hasse; siblings-Gerald (Evelyn) Hasse of Stevensville, Larry (Joanie) Hasse of Galien, Lucille Grau of Stevensville, Marlene Deckert of St. Joseph Carol Berndt of Baroda, Bonnie Hasse of Los Angelos; sisters-in-law Lillian & Norma Hasse; numerous nieces & nephews; and his canine companion Axle.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Lawrence “Larry” McNitt, brothers Herb & Richard Hasse and three brothers-in-law Art Grau, Alvin Deckert & Gary Berndt.