- Date Of Birth: April 28, 1931
- Date Of Death: May 28, 2014
- State: Michigan
Florian Rettig, 83, of Union Pier, Michigan died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 peacefully at his beloved farm with his devoted wife at his side and surrounded by his family. Florian was born April 28, 1931 in Yugoslavia to John and Maria (Widushek) Rettig. He turned 20 years old on the boat as his family emigrated to the United States in 1951. On October 24, 1953 he married Gisela Menzer in Washington, DC.
Florian was happiest when he had a project, and although his formal education was interrupted during WWII he was a mechanical genius. More than anything he loved caring for his farm and tinkering in his garage. He fished and hunted deer, duck and goose. Florian was the Berrien County Building and Grounds Superintendent from 1964 until 1990. He was a Special Deputy Sheriff for Berrien County and a proud Life Member of the NRA. Florian was a devoted grandfather and his grandchildren adored him.
He gladly passed on his knowledge and skills to his grandchildren. His extended family and many friends were blessed to attend the annual 4th of July Hog Roasts he hosted for 40 years. Survivors include his wife, Gisela; children John (Liz) Rettig of Three Oaks; Elaine Rettig of San Diego, California; Sylvia (Daniel) Durham of Stevensville, Michigan and George (Kristine) Rettig of New Buffalo; grandchildren, John (Aubrey) Rettig, Suzanne (Joe) Novacek; Michelle (Will) Askew, Michael (Cindy) Enochs, Jon (Melissa) Swingle, Uri (Ashley) Swingle, Sonja (Andrew) Prusa, Jacob Durham, Sarah Durham, Tyler (Codi) Rettig, Ben (Cindle) Stolarik, Nikolas Rettig and Brian Rettig; great grandchildren, Gwenyth, Bridget, Caelex, Jordan, Justin, Jonathan, Alyson, Aidan, Hunter, Thatcher, Olivia, Andrew, Nathaniel, and Nixon, and his sister, Anna Shearer of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
