George Arthur Wondergem, longtime South Haven business owner, passed away July 1st, 2020 at his home. George was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Gillis and Anne Wondergem on September 27, 1931. He grew up in Chicago, but moved back to Michigan after high school. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia, his children Doug (Lisa), Eric, Amanda (Mike) Creeden, Jess Morgan, Andrew, Emily (Kris VanWinkle), and David, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Ken and his sister Betty Wittkowski. He was preceded in death by his brother Butch and his children Tim Lawyer, Karyl Lawyer, and Brian Wondergem.
George served his country in the Korean War as a proud Marine.
George owned and operated Baars Printing in South Haven for over thirty-five years. In 2012 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce for outstanding leadership to the community as a business leader and entrepreneur. He was active with the Kataki Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Jaycees, and coached Little League baseball. He was a volunteer at the South Haven Center for the Arts and with We Care Furniture Ministry.
Printer, Cubs fan, good dad, supportive husband, great cribbage player, mediocre pitch player, enthusiastic badminton player, George had a full life. An avid reader, George enjoyed his retirement years working as bridgetender in South Haven. George instilled in his children a love for all things Chicago Cubs, and was privileged to have witnessed the celebratory parade with his daughter in Chicago 2016 when they AT LAST won the World Series. He was the last surviving member of the M.A.M.A.S., the Michigan Avenue Men’s Athletic Society. The best thing is to remember him with a poor man’s bloody Mary or a crappy Budweiser, think of him when baseball and the Cubs come back, and cheer on the Packers when they play George’s Chicago Bears.
No funeral services will be held at George’s request. He will be laid to rest in Ft. Custer Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. Memorials may be made to Caring Circle Hospice at Home at 05055 Blue Star Highway, South Haven, MI 49090 or South Haven Center for the Arts at 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven, MI 49090.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven.
Posted On: Thursday, July 2, 2020 2:10 PM
