Florine B. Wackerle

Mrs. Florine B. Wackerle, of Bay City, passed away early Friday morning, January 23, 2015 at the Bay Medical Care Facility, age 88. The daughter of the late Martin and Alma (Wirth) Bauer, she was born on February 22, 1926 in Delray, Florida. Florine was a member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church. She was the former owner for over 50 years of Martin Bauer Insurance along with her sisters, Arlene Kernstock and Hulda Zwerk. Florine is survived by her five children, Timothy Wackerle of Battle Creek, Shane (Angie) Wackerle of Bay City, Sheila Beattie of Fall River, WI, Michael (Terri) Hilligas of Bakersfield, CA and Patrick Hilligas of Bay City; a step-daughter, Yvonne (Jim) Whalen of Bay City; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude Rabe of Pinconning; two sisters-in-law, Kay Pashak and Ileen Wackerle; and a brother-in-law, Lorraine (Ginny) Wackerle. Florine was also preceded in death by her first husband, John F. Hilligas; her second husband, Clare M. Wackerle; a step-son, Terry Wackerle; her brother, Erwin (Dorothy) Bauer; four sisters, Arlene (Erwin) Kernstock, Hulda (Dave) Zwerk, Edna (Art) Hahn and Meta (Ed) Nitschke; three brothers-in-law, Joe Pashak, Clinton Wackerle and Wallace (Alvina) Wackerle; and a sister-in-law, Lydenne Mammel. It was Florine's desire for cremation to take place. A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Rev. Paul E. Schweppe. Private inurnment will be in Fremont Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Bay County. www.gephartfuneralhome.com