Henry "Hank" Bongers, Jr.

With a quick wit and a generous heart, Henry "Hank" Bongers, Jr. lived a life rich in family and friends. Hank always had a wisecrack ready and never hesitated to lend a hand. He looked out for everybody and was generous with his time. If someone needed something, like the shirt off his back, he'd be there for them. Always in control, Hank was firm about it being his way or the highway. A man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of sharing time with family and being outdoors, Hank showed us how to live life to the fullest. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Hank will long be remembered by those he so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, 1934 gave birth to many celebrated firsts. Flash Gordon made his debut while Fuji Photo Film first captured memories. The Three Stooges took center stage in their first short while the nation also met Donald Duck. The rays of Hope peeked through the clouds of despair in America when unemployment decreased to 22%, marking the turning point in the Great Depression. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the hearts and home of Henry and Emma (Coover) Bongers, Sr. as they welcomed their son Henry Jr. into their family on July 21 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Growing up in Parchment, Hank was a little on the wild side. He graduated from St. Augustine High School, but not without incident with the nuns. It proved a good education and a firm foundation for his aspirations, which included following in his dad's footsteps. His dad worked at KVP Paper.

Following high school, Hank attended Western Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Paper Technology. Over his career, Hank worked for Georgia Pacific and Champion. He was well-known for possessing the unique talent of determining what a piece of paper was made from by simply feeling it. He enjoyed going to the different paper companies selling the necessary chemicals and supplies. He also spent time in the Army at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky.

Life forever changed for Hank when he met his sweetheart, Mary Hotop. Hank fell for kindhearted Mary's warmth and graciousness and knew she'd be a wonderful wife. After dating for a time and having told Mary that he would only propose once when he asked Mary for her hand in marriage, she eagerly accepted. The happy couple married on August 18, 1956, in St. Augustine Cathedral, officially beginning a love story spanning more than 61 years.

In time, Hank and Mary were blessed to welcome two sons to their family. Thomas and Andrew quickly became the centers of their world and their heart's delight. Hank and Mary devoted themselves to providing a loving and supportive home for the sons, and some of their most memorable moments as a family were spent at their property on Scott Lake. When they purchased the property in 1972, it had a small cottage. After vacationing there for many years, they tore down the cottage to build their permanent home. The lake held countless treasured memories, and they also made some amazing friends while living there. Hank enjoyed nothing more than spending an afternoon in his boat on his lake with a fishing pole. He was also famous for shooting bottle rockets at the geese on the lake. Determined to move them off the lake, he'd load a box of bottle rockets on his golf cart and take it to the water. He even had a small homemade cannon to launch the bottle rockets.

Hank started every morning with blueberry waffles and looked forward to going to his sister's house every few weeks for dinner. Golfing and fishing were always a good time. Hank cast his line in local ponds and waters as far away as Canada. The trips to Canada required taking a small plane to areas so desolate there was no phone service, but they caught BIG fish! A few years ago, Hank enjoyed a lifetime trip when he traveled to Germany with his neighbors from Germany. He also enjoyed an Alaskan cruise.

As we gather to honor Hank's life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying his legacy forward. In each moment that we give of our time and talents in service of others, cheer on our loved ones' endeavors, cast our lines, take to the golf course, and enjoy blueberry waffles, we celebrate all the ways Hank gifted our lives. In this way, we keep his spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Henry "Hank" Bongers Jr., of Bangor, age 89, died on November 12, 2023, surrounded by his closest family. Hank is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; grandson, Henry; and his brother, Harry. Surviving are his sons, Thomas (Sheryl) Bongers and Andrew Bongers; grandchildren, Arryn, Josh, Joseph, and John; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Leah, Connor, and Danny; sisters, Marilyn (John) Eberhardt and Diane (Robert) Marlett; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Celebration on Tuesday, November 21, at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, 269-375-2900. Visitation will begin one hour prior. A reception where food, drinks, and stories will be shared will follow the service in the Life Story Center. Burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visit Hank's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Centrica Care Navigators or MediLodge of Westwood.