Eugene "Gene" F. Thielman's Obituary
Eugene “Gene” Thielman was welcomed into heaven Sunday, July 16 where he was reunited with his son Chuck. Gene served in the Phillippines with the US Navy Construction Battalion in 1945, and married his wife Beverly (Hancock) Thielman in 1950.
Gene lived in Montague where he raised his family and stayed to enjoy his long life. Gene grew a local furniture store into a thriving business in neighboring Whitehall. Gene was the backbone of Bell’s of Whitehall, which he bought in 1954 and where he and his children, Chuck and Debbie, worked side by side for many years. He was a musician and loved to play the organ, harmonica, and trumpet, passing his musical talent on to many of his grandchildren. Gene spent many hours behind the wheel of his RV, travelling between his home in Montague and a home in Polk City, FL. A Detroit Tigers fan, he would attend the spring training games in Florida and wouldn’t miss a game of the regular season once back home in Michigan. Gene will be remembered by many for his dedication to his business and his generosity and kindness to family and friends.
Gene is preceded in death by son, Charles Thielman (2008); parents William and Marvel Thielman, and brothers Fritz Thielman and Charles William Thielman. He is survived by wife Beverly Thielman of Montague; Daughter Debra (Bob) Yonkman of Montague; Daughter-in-law Lois Thielman; Sisters Gayle (Ray) Bickowski of Florida and Coral Wiles of Muskegon; Grandchildren Nicole (Leif) Oquist of Montague, Jeff Thielman of Whitehall, Steve (Marci) Thielman of Whitehall, and Eugene Morningstar of Jackson Hole Wyoming; great grandchildren Dylan and Delaney Hopma, Olive and Odin Oquist, and Laura and Anne Thielman; along with many step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL SERVICES will be 2PM Friday, July 21, 2017 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St. (231) 798-1100 with Mr. Jim Tanis officiating. VISITATION with the family will be 5-7 PM Thursday. Burial will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery in Montague. Memorial Contributions to Harbor Hospice will be appreciated. Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com.
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