Benjamin F. Hohnke, Died July 31, 2020

Benjamin F. Hohnke

Died July 31, 2020

Cedar - Benjamin Franklin Hohnke, 96, of Cedar, passed away Friday, July 31, 2020 after a brief stay at Orchard Creek Skilled Nursing under Hospice Care.

Benjamin was born April 30, 1924, in Good Harbor, the son of Benhardt and Pearl (Olson) Hohnke.  He remained a lifetime resident of Leelanau County, indeed living out the final ten years of his life in the same home he spent the first eighteen.

 

A graduate of Leland High School, catcher on their baseball team, and player on their 1942 State championship basketball team, his only extended venture out of the area was by joining the US Navy.  Upon completing his Naval training in March of 1943, he went to serve his country in the South Pacific during WWII.  He once joked he chose the Navy thinking it was safer at sea than dodging bullets on land.  Ben returned to Leelanau County after the war, and became an accomplished and reputable builder in the area.  He "retired" to cherry farming, his lifelong dream, for his remaining 40 years!

 

On Oct 21, 1950, he married Margaret A (Schnehain) Hohnke at St Paul's Lutheran Church of Good Harbor.  For the next 62 years, Margaret was his source of strength and support on earth.  He was a devoted husband and father, a devout Christian, and life-long member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.  Ben was an avid Detroit Tigers fan from the days of radio.  He was an honest and hardworking man with "old fashioned" values of service, responsibility, and duty.

 

Even to the end, on his final day, Ben always smiled at the thought of rejoining his loving partner and wife, Margaret, who sadly had passed away on Aug 18, 2012.

 

Ben is survived by four sons, Elmer (Christine) Hohnke of Leland, George Hohnke, Alan Hohnke of Kingsley, and Douglas (Eva Brown) of Ocala, Florida.  Besides his wife, Margaret, he was preceded in death by a son, Gordon Hohnke, as well as Ben's 2 brothers Lyle and Chet and 3 sisters, Eva, Elizabeth, and Eunice.

 

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug 6, at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  Masks are required and please practice safe social distancing.

 

A simple graveside service for close friends and family will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug 7, in the cemetery of St Paul's Lutheran Church, Good Harbor.  Please wear masks and practice safe social distancing.

 

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2943 S. Manitou Trail, Cedar, MI 49621and/or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

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