Karl "Keith" Aeschliman

Karl "Keith" Aeschliman, 90, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 at Munson Medical Center. Keith was born July 12, 1924 in Albion, MI., to the late Carl and Mildred (Hodges) Aeschliman. He graduated from Traverse City High School in 1943 and was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve our country in WWII. He served in Africa and Italy where he was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart.

On Sept. 22, 1944, he married the former Florence "Pauline" Hentschel and they remained in the Traverse City area and wintered in Matlacha, FL. In his earlier years, Keith enjoyed his fruit farm, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. But his favorite times were the family and friends get-togethers at the lake, fishing in Florida, and especially chartering on East Bay with Sonny for eleven years.

Keith is survived by his wife, Pauline, of seventy years; his daughter, Carol Spangler, of Grawn; son, Sonny (Laurie) Aeschliman, of Traverse City; eight grandchildren, Brenda (Jens) Runyon, of FL., Gary Aeschliman, of Traverse City, Paul (Heather) Aeschliman, of Mt. Pleasant, Mark (Alison) Spangler of Grawn, Dan (Heather) Hoffman, of Traverse City, Justin Bellows, of Traverse City, Tom (Amber) McCoy, of Interlochen, and Amy McCoy, of Lake City; fourteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy (Tom) Mikula, and Sandra (Richard) MacConnell, and several nieces and nephews.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; son, Gregory Alan Aeschliman; brothers, Harold "Doc" Aeschliman, Donald Aeschliman; sisters, Shirley Brown, and Verna Munson; and son-in-law, Clyde Spangler.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation held one hour prior. Military Honors will be provided. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions in Keith's name may be directed to the Cherryland VFW Post 2780 and the Salvation Army of Traverse City.

Kindly share your memories with the family by way of Keith's online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

Arrangements for the family have been entrusted to Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.