Mervin Otto Strothmann, age 84 of Spring Lake, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2020 with family by his side. He was born in Murphysboro, IL to the late Henry Edward and Rosa (Ziegler) Strothmann. In 1956, Merv married his high school sweetheart, Esther Speith, in Murphysboro.
Merv was born in Southern Illinois and moved multiple times with GTE. These included stops in Central Illinois, Connecticut, and Michigan. In 1993, after 37 years with GTE, he retired and relocated to Florida and Tennessee before moving back to Michigan.
Merv was a member of Lakeshore Baptist Church in Grand Haven, and was previously very active in Mona Shores Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, and Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville; serving in many leadership capacities.
Merv and Esther had the opportunity to travel and visited Hawaii, Alaska, and Israel. He enjoyed playing golf in his church league, and going fishing and boating on the local lakes with his family. Merv’s family and friends were of greatest importance to him and he cherished the time he spent with them.
Merv is lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 64 years, Esther; his two sons, Steven (Mary Anne) Strothmann of Raleigh, NC and Michael (Renate) Strothmann of Norton Shores, MI; daughter-in-law, Renee Strothmann of Spring Lake; grandchildren, Bethany (Khang) Pham, Bryan (Sarah) Strothmann, Nathan (Sara) Strothmann, and Dr. Kelley (Logan) Robrock; 7 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Edward (Sharon) Strothmann and Gerald Strothmann; sister Carman Speith; sisters-in-law, Margo Lynn Strothmann and Marietta Cox; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, David Strothmann on November 1, 2016; brothers, Robert and Richard Strothmann; brother-in-law, James Speith; and sister-in-law, Donna Strothmann.
A private family funeral service will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2020 with Pastors Nate Birkholz and Tom Siefert officiating. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Harbor Hospice.
In these uncertain times, the family happily accepts condolences sent via mail (c/o Klaassen Family Funeral Home, 1500 Robbins Rd, Grand Haven, MI 49417) or by signing Merv’s online guestbook.
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