Emil Frank Wessling

Emil Frank Wessling, 58, of South Haven, a man who gave all he could every day of his life, gave himself back to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.

He was born September 10, 1951 in South Haven, Michigan the youngest child of Emil August Ferdinand and Ann Eleanor (Lestina) Wessling and lived his entire life as a vital member of Casco Township. Emil grew up on the farm and after both parents died when he was young, used his unbelievable work ethic to help support his family and keep the finances afloat. He involved himself in the community in many ways, from running for the school board when he was barely out of high school to his work as a guard at state correctional facilities; his long years of service as a Casco Township volunteer firefighter and South Haven Area Emergency Services EMT, and finally his hard work and care as the township sexton. In February, he was rewarded for 38 years of firefighting service in Casco, one of the longest-serving members in the township’s history. No one who knew Emil will ever forget how hard he worked on every single call- teaching, touching, and saving hundreds of lives with his expertise.
There are so many in this life that look forward to meeting him again in the next. His proud family includes his wife, Carol (Wolfsen) Wessling; daughters, Becky (Jim) Baker of Grand Haven and Katie (David) Start of Grand Rapids; three adoring grandchildren, Ben and Molly Rose Baker, and Celia Ann Start; siblings, Steve (Ann) Wessling of Fremont and Sue Zantello of Holt; brother-and sisters-in-law, Dave (Deb) Wolfsen, Bob (Bev) Wolfsen, Diane (Jay) DeRoos, Charleen Klont, John (Sarah) Wolfsen, Beth (Steve) Veenstra, and Tim (Deb) Wolfsen; special friend and cousin, Frank (Laura) Lestina, and “Auntie Lor”; and a host of nephews, nieces, and more distant relatives that he cared for deeply. The lives he touched make his friends, neighbors and co-workers too numerous to name, but he loved and treated all of them like his family, generously lending a hand (or tool) and time he could. His leaving is felt deeply by so many, and he will be well remembered in the stories of the community for years to come.


Visitation will be from 5:30 - 8 on Sunday, April 25, at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home and also Monday from 12 – 1 at the Casco United Methodist Church. Funeral services will begin 1:00 P.M. at the church with Pastor David Miester, Pastor Tim McGee and Pastor George Fleming officiating. Burial will take place at McDowell Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to South Haven Area Emergency Services, South Haven’s Hospice at Home, or Casco United Methodist Church. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven 637-0333