Henry Lenzen "Hank" Dobbertien

Henry Lenzen "Hank" Dobbertien of Battle Creek, MI


Hank, age 87, a retired Lieutenant Colonel with Michigan Air National Guard, died Monday morning, November 17, 2014 at his residence and following a brief illness. Hank, the son of William F. and Frances M. (Lenzen) Dobbertien, was born on June 19, 1927 in Marshall, MI; was a lifetime area resident; was a 1945 graduate and Class President at St. Philip Catholic High School and received his Master's Degree in Labor Economics from Western Michigan University. Hank served his country honorably and nobly during World War II as a Yeoman in the United States Navy and continued his service to his country in the Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek, retiring in 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Hank retired in 1986 after 36 years of faithful service to Kellogg's Company as a Labor Relations Arbitrator. He served as President of St. Vincent de Paul Society; Family and Children Service Board member and the Civil Service Commissioner for Firefighters. Hank enjoyed his time on Cassidy Lake, was a hunter and a fisherman and taking numerous trips to Canada. He was card player, enjoyed traveling, playing golf and from the time of his retirement, spent winters at his home in Green Valley, AZ.

Hank was united in marriage to the former R. Gene Schroeder on September 21, 1980 in Omaha, NE. Surviving is his wife of 34 years, Gene; four daughters, Kathleen M. (Dennis) Vollink and Monica R. (Todd) Johnson, both of Cape Girardeau, MO, Christine A. (William Figeley) Dobbertien of Battle Creek and Ann M. (James) Holmes of Ft. Wayne, IN; two sons, Gregory J. Dobbertien of Temperance, MI and Thomas G. (Rhonda) Dobbertien of Battle Creek; two step daughters, Kimberly A. Muffly of Omaha, NE and Dr. Kathleen J. (David Gustafson) Muffly of Minneapolis, MN; two step sons, Dr. Kirk B. (Beverly)Muffly of Omaha, NE and Dr. Karl E. (Barbara) Muffly of Tampa, FL; nineteen grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his brother, Francis M. "Wink" Dobbertien of Green Valley, AZ and his first wife, Rita A. Lucas of Cape Girardeau, MO. Hank was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Josephine and three brothers, Joseph, Dale and William.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 21st at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church, 92 Capital Avenue, NE, with Father Francis A. Marotti, Parochial Vicar, as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the Michigan Air National Guard Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full military honors. Family and friends will continue Hank's Life Celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon at NortPointe Woods, 700 North Avenue, immediately following the Graveside Service. Hank's family will receive friends on Thursday, November 20th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Hank's honor may be directed to the Dobbertien Endowment Fund c/o Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools Foundation, 63 North 24th Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015 or the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church.