Alphonsus "Al" Joseph Doerr's Obituary
Alphonsus (Al) Joseph Doerr passed away peacefully on April 2, 2022. He was 94. Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Michael Catholic Church in Remus on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 11:00 am with Father Tom Boufford as Celebrant. A rosary service will be held Saturday morning at the church at 9:30 am, followed by a visitation from 10:00 am to the time of service. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the parish center.
Al was born on October 27, 1927, to Dominic and Otilda (Schmitt) Doerr on the family farm in Mecosta, Michigan. He met the love of his life, Delores (Dody) Marie Benfield and they married in 1954. Together, Al and Dody raised 5 daughters in Lansing while spending summers at their cottage on Lake Mecosta. Al retired from General Motors in 1984 after 37 years, and he and Dody moved to their cottage permanently in 1996.
Al served his country during the Korean War. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends and grandsons and playing poker with family.
Al was a very humble, honest, kind, altruistic, and simply remarkable man. He spent much of his time giving, giving to the VFW, God’s Helping Hands, St. Michael’s Catholic Parish, and anyone in need.
He is survived by his 5 daughters, Tamara Beck, Jill Hawley, Denise (Tom) Warner, Michelle (Rick) Tibbits, and Melissa Doerr; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents Dominic and Otilda; his wife Delores; his sister Catherine Thurston; and his brothers Henry, Charles, Bernard, and Wilfred Doerr.
A special thanks to Father Tom of St. Michael’s Catholic Parish and John Mayer of Knights of Columbus. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Parish in Remus, MI and the VFW of Mecosta, MI.
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