Lowell R. Falk

Lowell Roger Falk, 92, of Goshen,  was laid to rest in Violett Cemetery, Goshen on February 2, 2017 after his death on February 1.

He was born in Two Rivers, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin on September 28, 1924 to Roger Owen and Hilda Ella Ida (Ollendorf) Falk.  He lived in Wisconsin until after his graduation from Horlick High, Racine, Wisconsin and then was inducted into the United States Army in Illinois in 1944.

He married Janet Marie Klein on Sept. 30, 1944 in Stark, Florida.

In the Army, Lowell served as an antitank gunner.  He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium on January 1945 when he was hit with shrapnel from an explosion from a German munition and suffered frostbite.  Lowell received a Purple Heart and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Lowell and Janet moved to Bronson, Michigan following the death of his brother Robert.  He worked with his father in the family sheet metal business.  Lowell, with assistance of several others, built their home at 250 E. Corey Street in Bronson.

Lowell and Janet with their two youngest daughters, Kris and Karla, moved to Elkhart in 1970, where he could be closer to his work at Clover Sheet Metal in Elkhart, Indiana till his retirement in 1985 after 25 years of service.  Lowell was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 South Bend until his death.

Lowell and Janet were members of Trailer City Sam’s Club.  Camping and traveling were major parts of their lives, traveling nearly the entire United States.

Janet died of cancer in December 1980.  Lowell married Avis Mohn Fry and moved to Quincy, Michigan.  There he lived on Avis’ family farm until her death of cancer in February 1995.  Lowell then married Joyce Dedrich in 1996.  Joyce passed away February 2017 after his death.

Lowell loved woodworking, especially lathe work, making his first bowl in 8th grade.  He built several wonderful pieces of furniture for his three daughters.  He made special Christmas gifts each year, sleighs, candle sticks, bowls, and ornaments.

Lowell was member of Mystic Lodge #141 of Bronson for more than sixty years including acting as the Worshipful Master.  He was also a member of the Mystic Star #354 for the same period and had served as Worthy Patron.  He helped build the Bronson Masonic Lodge and continued to help maintain the building until his death.  He was a 32 ⁰ Master Mason of the Scottish Rites.   Lowell often performed the Masonic ceremonies at members’ funerals.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Janet Marie Klein of thirty-six years, his second wife, Avis Mohn Fry, his grandson, Jered Copenhaver; his sister, Louise Padgett and brothers, Owen, Robert, Glenn, and Earl Falk.

Lowell is survived by his daughters, Karen (Dennis) Gruntman, Kris (Dave) Reiff, both ofGoshen and Karla (Dave) Copenhaver of Elkhart and his little YorkshireTerrier, Snoopy.  He has five grandsons, Jeff (Lindy) Gruntman and Matt (Laura) Gruntman, both of Goshen, Tim (Alisha) Gruntman of Worcester, Massachusetts, Dave Reiff of Noblesville, and Dan (AnnDee) Reiff of Goshen.  He has ten great-grandchildren, Collin, Cameron, and Cara Gruntman, Dorian and Lydian Gruntman, Quinton, Max, and Ben Reiff, Zachary and Steven Reiff and Sylvia, Garrett and Ava Gruntman.

The family would like to thank The Maples at Waterford Crossing, the staff, and Dr. Donald Ebersole for the wonderful care given to Lowell during the last few months of his life.

A celebration service of Lowell’s life will be held at The Residence in the lower level large meeting room at Waterford Crossing, 1212 Waterford Circle, Goshen, IN  46526 on March 18, 2017 beginning at 11 a.m. with visitation, followed by the service at 12 noon.  Pastor John Hickey from Faith Lutheran Church will preside. The family would like to invite all who can attend to a dinner immediately following the service at The Residence.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested you consider making a donation to Mystic Lodge #141, 750 E Chicago Avenue, Bronson, MI  49028 or a charity of one’s choice.