Gary Steudle
December 1st, 2012
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Gary's Obituary
Gary Steudle, a man of generous and loving nature passed away peacefully at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan on December 1st, 2012 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Gary was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1940 to Herbert and Esther Steudle. Graduating from Adrian High School, he attended Valparaiso University and then graduated from Adrian College where he loved playing football and participating in theater. He earned his Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Wendy, and they moved to South Haven where they spent forty-eight years.
Gary had much successful and satisfaction during his tenure coaching varsity football and wrestling. His greatest accomplishment was watching the young men he mentored carry forward the attributes he instilled in them; hard work, discipline, confidence, respect, and sportsmanship. He loved coaching and all of the relationships with the athletes, their families, and fellow coaches. His 1970 wrestling team was State Champions compiling a 32-0 record. Gary was Class B Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1969. In 2002, Gary was inducted into the South Haven Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Gary retired from South Haven Public Schools after thirty three years of service.
Treasured memories of Lake Leelanau spent at the family cottage brought him back to the peninsula in the summer of 2007 where he and Wendy remodeled a 100 year old barn. He never tired of seeing the colors of the lake.
Gary is survived by his wife of fifty years, son Andrew of South Haven, daughter Betsy of East Lansing, dog Dakota and three grand dogs. Also surviving are four brothers; Roger (Rae), Tim (Debbie), Joel (Kim), Kirk (Marilyn), nieces, nephews, and loving friends. Preceding in death were his parents and sister, Gail.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Memorial services to honor and celebrate Gary’s life will held at Peace Lutheran Church in South Haven on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Peace Lutheran Church.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven. 637-0333
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