Gordon Walter Umbreit

Gordon Walter Umbreit, born February 12, 1932, passed away peacefully, with his daughter by his side, on March 17, 2026. He was born in Allenton, MI as the last of ten children to Elsie and Edward Umbreit.

Gordon graduated from Harbor Beach High School in 1950. His first job, however, was in 1943, when he opened up the school each morning by starting a fire and bringing in water for $1 per week. He also had an after-school job of bringing in water for the elderly which earned him and extra 50 cents per week.

Gordon served two years in the Army with the rank of PFC, beginning in 1952. He served in Korea during the Korean War as a medic. After the army, he worked in Detroit at Ryerson Steel, mostly as a crane operator, for over 40 years before he retired.
He met the greatest joy of his life, Dolores, on a blind date and they were married on May 10, 1952. They celebrated 72 years of marriage until Dolores passed away on October 15, 2024.

After ten years of marriage, Gordon and Dolores adopted a baby girl that they named Diane. Diane and her husband, Jamie, gave them three beautiful grandchildren; Sarah Laws (Craig), Emily Corby (Trent) and Samuel Phillips. Gordon also has one great grandson, Ben, who brought a smile to his face on many occasions. He truly cherished his visits with family and friends.

Gordon was a true outdoorsman and loved hunting pheasant and deer. He was an avid fisherman in his childhood and continued to enjoy fishing on Lake St. Clair with anyone who would go with him while he lived in St. Clair Shores. Gordon and Dolores made their home in St. Clair Shores for over 60 years, until changing health conditions moved them to the Battle Creek area to be closer to family.

He was also known to enjoy a game or two of euchre and had a great love of music.

In the end, he was known as dad, Papa, Uncle Gordon, neighbor and friend to those who loved him. He will be deeply missed.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 27, 2026 at the St. Ann Catholic Church in Augusta.  Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Augusta.