Sara Swanson

Obituary: Lyle Allen Widmayer

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Lyle Allen Widmayer (1924 - 2017)

Widmayer, Lyle Allen; age 93, of Manchester, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2017 in Tecumseh, after a short illness. He was born on May 11, 1924 in Manchester, Michigan to Wallace and Amanda (Haarer) Widmayer. He attended Manchester High School and later attended Hamilton Business College in Ann Arbor, MI. Lyle enlisted in the Navy in February 1943 and served during WWII for 4 years. He attended bugle school in San Diego California and was stationed on the USS Tulsa (PG-22) Gun Boat. He was the ships store keeper, bugler and a Gunner on a 20 millimeter in the South Pacific.

On June 5, 1949 he married Maxine Heimerdinger at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester. He and Maxine lived in Manchester their entire life . They were active members in the community and loved to dance to big band music. Lyle owned Widmayer Ford and the Town Laundry. He was extremely proud to have served 69 years on the Manchester Fire Department and 68 years for Manchester Township. He held various roles as Manchester Township clerk, township trustee, and he served on the Manchester planning commission. He was one of the founding fathers of the Manchester Chicken Broil and helped start the Manchester Jaycees. Lyle was an active member of Emanuel United Church of Christ, the American Legion and the Broken Horn Deer Camp. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, golf, dancing and being with his family and friends.

Lyle is survived by his, daughter Beth (Robert) Smith of Manchester; two grandchildren, Christine Curran (David Beslow) of Short Hills, NJ and Nathan (Heather) Smith of Manchester, two great grandchildren, Jackson and Charlotte Smith also of Manchester; two sisters-in-law Loretta Widmayer of Manchester and Nancy Pyzik of Tecumseh as well as many nieces, nephews, other family members and special friends. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Maxine of 64 years; his daughter, Jane (Widmayer) Zilka; son-in-law Harold (Zeke) Zilka; his brothers Vearl and Richard Widmayer and sister-in-law Della Widmayer.

A Memorial Farewell Service was held on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at Emanuel United Church of Christ, Manchester. Memorials are suggested in his name to Emanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester, Dutchmen Firefighters Association or Hospice of Lenawee. You are invited to share memories by visiting www.borekjennings.com or by calling 877-231-7900. Arrangements entrusted to Borek Jennings Funeral Home - Manchester.

The Manchester Township Fire Department paid their respects to Lyle Widmayer, accompanied by current and vintage firetrucks. The fire department only had two vehicles when Widmayer joined--a model T and a TMC 36. Within a year, the department had added a 1946 Ford with a high pressure hose.

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