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posted online at lifestorynet.com December 2009
DiMAGGIO
If a man’s success is measured in terms of the lives he touched then Jack DiMaggio was certainly a man with wealth beyond measure. Whether he was supporting his church family in some way, making cannoli with his grandson, or offering a warm smile and greeting to people coming to shop, Jack made genuinely caring for others seem effortless. He was a family man through and through who realized that those who follow us are an opportunity to leave a footprint in a time and place we will never see. Jack was a man of integrity, great moral character, and compassion whose life is a lasting legacy that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren can be so very proud to be a part of.
The year 1920 was a year which began a prosperous time in America since with the end of WWI in 1918, our nation was regarded as a world power for the first time. People were looking to enjoy life a little and with innovation blossoming around every turn, the American dream was alive and well. What a great year it was for the family of Angelo and Maria (Calderone) DiMaggio as they were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Jack, on February 20th. Jack was born in Detroit, Michigan, as the second oldest of five boys in his family. He spent his formative years in Detroit where he attended local schools.
It was as a high school student that Jack met a young gal who he just couldn’t help but be a bit smitten with. Her name was Elsie Loeblein and right from the start it seemed as though they were destined for each other, true soul mates. After their relationship blossomed into true love, Jack and Elsie were married on September 11, 1942 in Detroit.
Like so many other young men during this time, Jack was called to serve his country during WWII. Soon after becoming a husband, Jack left his new bride to serve in the Navy and was part of the Pacific tour.
After he was discharged, Jack returned home to his wife and his beautiful daughter, Muriel, who was born while he was overseas. Now both a husband and a father, Jack went to work as a tool and die maker at Murdock Tool Company in order to support his family. Not long after he settled back into life as a civilian, Jack and Elsie welcomed the birth of their son, Jack, Jr. He continued to work hard at Murdock and by the time he retired some 40 years later, Jack had worked himself up through the company, officially retiring as the vice president.
Although work was certainly a necessary part of his life and something Jack completely devoted himself to, his heart truly beat for his family. Even though he worked long hours, he made the most of the time he was given to share with them. When he was blessed to become a grandfather, nothing could have pleased Jack more. He found such joy in seeing life through their eyes, especially at Christmastime. Jack and Elsie would stay over at their house on Christmas Eve just so they could get up in the morning and have a front row seat at seeing the awe and sheer joy on the faces of their grandchildren, Matt and Adam.
Faith was an important cornerstone in Jack’s life from his earliest days. He was a member at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit for many years. Jack was always involved at church by supporting the youth groups, and he also played golf on various golf leagues associated with their church as well. It was his faith that sustained him as the storms of life loomed overhead from time to time throughout his life.
There were many interests that Jack pursued through the years. He loved golf, but he loved bowling even more. Jack even bowled a 300 on one occasion which was the first official 300 game bowled at that bowling alley. He and Elsie loved to polka and were a part of several dance clubs for many years. They also played pinochle in card clubs and enjoyed traveling together too. As a Detroit native, Jack loved the Tigers and tolerated the Lions.
Jack’s retirement years allowed him even more time to devote to the things that really mattered in his life – his children and grandchildren. In fact, he and Elsie packed up and moved to Plainwell in order to be closer to their grandsons. They couldn’t have moved any closer either since they moved right in with Muriel and her husband Bud who both felt that their sons were truly fortunate to share such a great relationship with their grandparents.
When health issues forced Jack to stop golfing and bowling he took up a new hobby, watching his grandsons participate in their endeavors. Whether they were bowling, playing hockey, baseball, golf or taking part in some sort of other activity, Jack was there. He even perfected the art of cannolis making with his grandson, Matt. Jack and Elsie were able to combine their love for travel with their love for family as they made a family journey to Seattle to see their youngest grandson, Adam, get married.
One of the things that made Jack so extraordinary was his tender heart that he loved sharing with others. Jack’s love for others led him to work for a time as a greeter at Hardings Marketplace on West Main in Kalamazoo. He was very social and enjoyed having coffee almost daily at Hardings or at Meijers once the store moved. Jack also liked the camaraderie of his buddies as an active member of the VFW Post 9377 in Plainwell.
As his family is still reeling from the death of Jack’s beloved Elsie less than one month ago, they now reflect back on the extraordinary life of Jack DiMaggio. He was a vibrant man with a heart that was truly devoted to his family. Jack loved spending every moment with his family that he could, and he was even looking forward to seeing his great-grandson Gavin the very day of his untimely death.
He achieved great success during his lifelong career, although it is the family he leaves behind that was his greatest source of pride and joy. Jack will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.
Jack DiMaggio of Plainwell died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday December 24, 2009.
Jack’s family includes his daughter, Muriel (Sterling) MacDonald and son, Jack DiMaggio Jr. (Donna Trembeth); 2 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; 3 step grandchildren; and 2 brothers.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife Elsie on November 28, 2009.
Learn more about Jack, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends and share light refreshments, Saturday from 10-12 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). Funeral services will be held at 12 noon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to Kairos Dwelling.
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posted online at lifestorynet.com December 2009
DiMAGGIO
If a man’s success is measured in terms of the lives he touched then Jack DiMaggio was certainly a man with wealth beyond measure. Whether he was supporting his church family in some way, making cannoli with his grandson, or offering a warm smile and greeting to people coming to shop, Jack made genuinely caring for others seem effortless. He was a family man through and through who realized that those who follow us are an opportunity to leave a footprint in a time and place we will never see. Jack was a man of integrity, great moral character, and compassion whose life is a lasting legacy that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren can be so very proud to be a part of.
The year 1920 was a year which began a prosperous time in America since with the end of WWI in 1918, our nation was regarded as a world power for the first time. People were looking to enjoy life a little and with innovation blossoming around every turn, the American dream was alive and well. What a great year it was for the family of Angelo and Maria (Calderone) DiMaggio as they were overjoyed with the birth of their son, Jack, on February 20th. Jack was born in Detroit, Michigan, as the second oldest of five boys in his family. He spent his formative years in Detroit where he attended local schools.
It was as a high school student that Jack met a young gal who he just couldn’t help but be a bit smitten with. Her name was Elsie Loeblein and right from the start it seemed as though they were destined for each other, true soul mates. After their relationship blossomed into true love, Jack and Elsie were married on September 11, 1942 in Detroit.
Like so many other young men during this time, Jack was called to serve his country during WWII. Soon after becoming a husband, Jack left his new bride to serve in the Navy and was part of the Pacific tour.
After he was discharged, Jack returned home to his wife and his beautiful daughter, Muriel, who was born while he was overseas. Now both a husband and a father, Jack went to work as a tool and die maker at Murdock Tool Company in order to support his family. Not long after he settled back into life as a civilian, Jack and Elsie welcomed the birth of their son, Jack, Jr. He continued to work hard at Murdock and by the time he retired some 40 years later, Jack had worked himself up through the company, officially retiring as the vice president.
Although work was certainly a necessary part of his life and something Jack completely devoted himself to, his heart truly beat for his family. Even though he worked long hours, he made the most of the time he was given to share with them. When he was blessed to become a grandfather, nothing could have pleased Jack more. He found such joy in seeing life through their eyes, especially at Christmastime. Jack and Elsie would stay over at their house on Christmas Eve just so they could get up in the morning and have a front row seat at seeing the awe and sheer joy on the faces of their grandchildren, Matt and Adam.
Faith was an important cornerstone in Jack’s life from his earliest days. He was a member at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit for many years. Jack was always involved at church by supporting the youth groups, and he also played golf on various golf leagues associated with their church as well. It was his faith that sustained him as the storms of life loomed overhead from time to time throughout his life.
There were many interests that Jack pursued through the years. He loved golf, but he loved bowling even more. Jack even bowled a 300 on one occasion which was the first official 300 game bowled at that bowling alley. He and Elsie loved to polka and were a part of several dance clubs for many years. They also played pinochle in card clubs and enjoyed traveling together too. As a Detroit native, Jack loved the Tigers and tolerated the Lions.
Jack’s retirement years allowed him even more time to devote to the things that really mattered in his life – his children and grandchildren. In fact, he and Elsie packed up and moved to Plainwell in order to be closer to their grandsons. They couldn’t have moved any closer either since they moved right in with Muriel and her husband Bud who both felt that their sons were truly fortunate to share such a great relationship with their grandparents.
When health issues forced Jack to stop golfing and bowling he took up a new hobby, watching his grandsons participate in their endeavors. Whether they were bowling, playing hockey, baseball, golf or taking part in some sort of other activity, Jack was there. He even perfected the art of cannolis making with his grandson, Matt. Jack and Elsie were able to combine their love for travel with their love for family as they made a family journey to Seattle to see their youngest grandson, Adam, get married.
One of the things that made Jack so extraordinary was his tender heart that he loved sharing with others. Jack’s love for others led him to work for a time as a greeter at Hardings Marketplace on West Main in Kalamazoo. He was very social and enjoyed having coffee almost daily at Hardings or at Meijers once the store moved. Jack also liked the camaraderie of his buddies as an active member of the VFW Post 9377 in Plainwell.
As his family is still reeling from the death of Jack’s beloved Elsie less than one month ago, they now reflect back on the extraordinary life of Jack DiMaggio. He was a vibrant man with a heart that was truly devoted to his family. Jack loved spending every moment with his family that he could, and he was even looking forward to seeing his great-grandson Gavin the very day of his untimely death.
He achieved great success during his lifelong career, although it is the family he leaves behind that was his greatest source of pride and joy. Jack will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.
Jack DiMaggio of Plainwell died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday December 24, 2009.
Jack’s family includes his daughter, Muriel (Sterling) MacDonald and son, Jack DiMaggio Jr. (Donna Trembeth); 2 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; 3 step grandchildren; and 2 brothers.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife Elsie on November 28, 2009.
Learn more about Jack, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends and share light refreshments, Saturday from 10-12 a.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). Funeral services will be held at 12 noon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to Kairos Dwelling.
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JACK DiMAGGIO
MOMM 3 US Navy World War II
Feb 20 1920 Dec 24 2009
ELSIE C DiMAGGIO
Jun 14 1920 Nov 25 2009
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