Willis C.Veitengruber

Frankenmuth, MI

Willis Carl Veitengruber peacefully entered his heavenly home November 23, 2025. Born November 27, 1932, in Frankenmuth, Michigan, he was the son of William and Emilie (Scherzer) Veitengruber. Baptized December 11, 1932, and confirmed March 30, 1947, at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Willis's faith was nurtured from childhood and remained the cornerstone of his life. His education at St. Lorenz Lutheran School laid the firm foundation for his lifelong faith. He then attended Frankenmuth High School, which at that time offered instruction through the tenth grade, and subsequently he earned his GED.

Willis began his career at Frankenmuth Welding and Star of the West Milling Company before being drafted into the United States Army on April 6, 1953, during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge on March 28, 1955, he returned home to Frankenmuth. That summer, he met Sylvia Beach, and on June 30, 1956, they were united in marriage. Together, they built a loving home and a family rooted in faith, hospitality, and devotion.

After his military service, Willis worked for Carling Brewing Company/G. Heilmann Brewing Company until his retirement. During those years, he was instrumental in establishing the Frankenmuth Credit Union, serving as its first Treasurer when it was officially founded on December 12, 1964, for employees of Carling Brewery, Geyer's Brewery, Zeilinger Beverage, and Star of the West Milling Company. His dedication to community and service left a lasting legacy.

Hospitality is a hallmark of Willis and Sylvia's life together. Their home is a welcoming environment where friends and family often gather for laughter, shared meals, and spirited card games. Willis especially loved euchre, six-handed euchre, and 500, delighting companions with his playful bluff: "If I never see a trick." The many visitors who surrounded him in his final days are a testament to a life well lived and a man who loved others with the unconditional love of Jesus.

Cherishing Willis's memory are his devoted wife of 69½ years, Sylvia; daughters Jayne McMeans, Carla (Jerry) Roethlisberger, and Susan (Mike) Fresorger; grandchildren Ryan (Stacie) Smith, Andrea (Beau) Beson, Patrick Smith, Christa (Adam) Rensel, Andrew Roethlisberger, Elizabeth Roethlisberger, Rachel (Ryan) Peters, and Kevin (Sidney) Fresorger; great-grandchildren Gabe, Dawson, Adriel, Kyleigh, Dusty, Dalton, Shay, and Lexi Smith; Brinley, Kaede, Gareth, and Christian Beson; Reed and Riley Rensel; Hudson, Madison, and Camden Peters; and Ava Fresorger; honorary grandchildren Nathan, Brittany, Kimberly, and Sullivan; numerous friends; classmate and lifelong friend Eddie Beyerlein; and his compassionate caregiver Suzanne Dubie.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Neil Patrick, and sister Loraine Veitengruber.

Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Burial will take place in St. Lorenz Cemetery. Willis's family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St. on Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The service will be livestreamed at https://stlorenz.org/stream/. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wellspring Hospice, St. Lorenz Media Ministry, or the Sylvia Beach Scholarship Fund.