Paul W. Drenthe

Paul W. Drenthe, age 92 of Hastings, passed away Saturday April 25, 2009 at Thornapple Manor in Hastings. He was born January 26, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Lambert and Virginia (Polley) Drenthe. Paul attended Fenger High School in Chicago, Illinois. He married Mary Jane Birch in May of 1942. He joined the Navy during World War II . Paul was a Pipe Fitter in Illinois and worked for Kroger and A&P. Paul and Mary Jane moved to Hastings in 1974. He started his own refrigeration repair business, and later went to work for Pennock Hospital in maintenance and retired in 1982. Paul was a member of Saint Andrew and Matthias Anglican Church in Irving, and the VFW Post in Hastings, Middleville and Nashville. Paul loved to tinker in his garage and was a skilled carpenter, there wasn't anything he couldn't fix or build. He loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brother's Frank Drenthe, Raymond Drenthe, a sister Virginia Kent and beloved daughter Janet Louise Pape. Paul is survived by his beloved wife Mary Jane Drenthe, a daughter and son-in-law, Doug and Barb Benner, a daughter Patricia (James) McGuire of California , 6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and special friend's Jim and Donna Brown. Papa as his grandchildren called him will be sadly missed. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday April, 28, 2009 at 11:00am with visitation 1 Hr. prior to service time at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings, RT. Rev. David Hustwick officiating. Memorials can be made to St Andrew and Matthias Anglican Church 2415 McCann Rd. Hastings, MI. 49058. or Thornapple Garden Club Scholarship ""Walk Gently on the Good Earth"" through Barry Community Foundation. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).