Herbert C. Mortorff

Herbert C. Mortorff, a life-long resident of Ganges Twp., and born 50 feet from the home he lived in until he was called home by our Lord on June 9, 2015, passed away peacefully at his home with family at his side. Herb was born December 20 1928 the son of Dale and Thelma Mortorff. On February 1, 1950, Herb married Jean Keslowski in Sodus.

Herb established himself an individual with a wide variety of interests. He always had the leading parts in any programs hosted by Hadaway Elementary School. He also began taking trumpet lessons in the sixth grade. At South Haven High School from 1942 to 1946, Herb took four years of band and four years of orchestra playing the sousaphone, string bass, and trumpet. He also was the lead in the senior play and voted “Most musical”. Herb was a member of the Casco Township Band for 55 years and the director for 30 of those years.

In 1945, Herb organized and played in the South Haven Canteen Band. 1946 brought him to playing various instruments in professionally and worked in small combos for 50 years. In addition he gave many private trumpet lessons in the area and attended Michigan Boys State.

In 1946, Herb attended Michigan College with a Kellogg Short Course Scholarship and turned down a four year scholarship to Western Michigan University. In 1948, Herb was playing in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor union bands and also spent four years as Tank Commander in the South Haven National Guard.

In 1950 Herb ran Mortorff Orchards with his father for forty years and in 1952, he held a real estate license and sold for several local brokers. In addition to helping his father, he worked as a substitute mail carrier for South Haven R2. He began giving music lessons at Fennville School in 1957.

From 1960 until 1992, Herb was the leader of the 4 Sharps band. From 1965 to 1971 he worked as Receiving Supervisor for Michigan Canners. He sat on the Ganges Township Board of Reviews from 1992 until 2002 and also worked as the Ganges Township Zoning Administrator, Building Inspector, and Electrical Inspector Building Official. In 1972 Herb opened Herb’s Auto Service on the farm.

Herb had a full productive life. He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 65 years – Jean, daughter – Jacqueline Mortorff of Fennville, son – Michael (Mary Lou) Mortorff of Holland, granddaughter – Tiffany (Dan) Schout, great grandson – Aydan Michael Schout, and one sister – Virginia Smith of Jackson, MI. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

He is preceded in death by his parents and grandson – Michael Dale Mortorff who passed away on December 16, 2013.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the Casco United Methodist Church with Rev. David Meister officiating. Herb will be laid to rest at McDowell Cemetery in Casco Township. Contributions may be made in Herb’s memory to the Casco United Methodist Church, 880 66th Street, South Haven, MI or to the Reverence Home Health & Hospice, 348 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.