George W. Baumgartner

George W. Baumgartner, 81

Lifelong area resident, George W. Baumgartner passed from this life and into the next, in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Hiland Cottage in Petoskey; his loving family and his faithful companion Boxie at his side.

His family plan to remember, honor and celebrate his life during a memorial service that has been planned for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at the Alanson Church of the Nazarene; the service will be led by Pastor Foster Schmitt.  The Baumgartner family will receive friends at the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

George’s life began on February 8, 1936; he was born at home in Clarion the son of William H. and Ruth M. (Merrill) Baumgartner.  He grew up locally and attended Petoskey schools.  At the age of 20 he married the woman who would be his lifelong love, Grace J. Bricker.  Together the couple made a home and raised two children, William and Judith. 

As a young man George entered the electrical trades, working for many years as an Electrical Contractor.  He earned the respect of his colleagues in the building trades as a dependable, ethical and skilled craftsman.  He went on to become Emmet County Electrical Inspector, serving the county in that capacity for more than 20 years.  George was known not only for his skill as a contractor, but also for his kind and thoughtful nature.  His quiet personality fit perfectly into what at first seemed like a hobby, and what later developed into a passion, bee keeping.  He shared this hobby with his wife Grace, and was so widely known and respected as a local authority, he became known as “The Bee Man”.  He was a member of the Alanson Church of the Nazarene and the Indian River Sportsman Club. 

Surviving George is his son William (Jean) Baumgartner and daughter Judith (Rob) Eaton and his grandchildren, Sheila Smith and Daniel (Kailie) Baumgartner as well as two great granddaughters, one great grandson, sister, Anne Slocum, his loyal companion Boxie and many good friends.  George was preceded in death by his loving wife Grace, his life was only complete with her, and they are together again.  He was also preceded in death by siblings, Thomas, Louise, Elizabeth and Audrey. 

George was loved deeply by his family and they will forever miss his presence in their lives.  They will also miss his very, very special cherry pies, because they were made with love.

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