Person:Donald Hertsel (4)

December 15. 2005 6:59AM

Donald Hertsel Feb. 21, 1927 - Dec. 12, 2005

HARTFORD - Donald "P.J." Hertsel, 78, of Hartford, MI, formerly of Vandalia, MI, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 12, 2005, following a courageous battle with cancer. P.J. was born on February 21, 1927, in Mishawaka, IN, the son of Don and Marie Hertsel. He graduated from Cassopolis High School in 1944. The day after graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in World War II, serving in the South Pacific. He worked in the grocery business for over 45 years, working for Kroger's, Buy-Low and Harding's Market, all in Cassopolis. He retired as part owner and meat manager for the East Main Kalamazoo Harding's Market in 1988. P.J. loved spending time with family, especially at Donnell Lake. He loved to hunt, work in the yard or work on home improvement projects. He loved riding his bike and visiting with friends. P.J. never met a stranger, and his sense of humor, kindness and concern for others made an impact on many lives. P.J. became a Christian and was baptized on June 7, 1964. He was a former member of the Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis, and was a member of the West Kalamazoo Christian Church in Kalamazoo, MI. P.J. met his wife, Edith Filley. at the Kroger Store in Cassopolis. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 10 of last year. She survives along with their three children: son, Terry Hertsel of Vandalia; daughter, Karen Seymour (Craig) of Watervliet; and son, Tracy Hertsel (Diana) of Berrien Springs; three beautiful granddaughters, Ashley Seymour, Olivia and Isabella Hertsel; and one sister, Catherine Bickel (Chuck) of Riverside, California. A service celebrating his life will be held today, December 15, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. in the Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis. Officiating will be Rev. Rod Geiger, pastor of West Kalamazoo Christian Church, Kalamazoo, and Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor of Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis. Interment will be at Birch Lake Cemetery, Calvin Twp., Cass Co., Michigan. Military graveside honors will be conducted by members of Efton James American Legion Post #206 and William E. Lozier V.F.W. Post #10704, both of Cassopolis. The family received friends Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 301 E. Sherwood St., Decatur, MI 49045; or to the West Kalamazoo Christian Church Building Fund, 454 S. Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49009; or to Frank Squires Early Elementary School, PO Box 98, Cassopolis, MI 49031.