Bruno Hempel

Bruno Hempel, 96, a resident of Mass City and former longtime resident of Southfield,MI passed away peacefully on March 21, 2018 at the Lighthouse in Hancock, MI.

He was born in the German town of Dortmund of July 17, 1921.  His father Stefan came to the US to make a new start for the family.  He saved enough money to bring his wife Elfrieda and his two sons, Bruno and Erich to the new country, booking first class passage for them on the large ocean vessel Rotterdam in February of 1929.

The family settled down in Detroit, MI, making a new life for themselves in America.  Life was tough for the family as the country entered the Great Depression.  But Stefan found work in the fledgling auto industry and Elfrieda after initially finding work as a cook, eventually established a career in the laundry business.

When WWII began, Bruno enlisted in the US Navy.  He did his basic training in Illinois and then was deployed to Brazil.  Because of his knowledge of the German language, he was in a unique position to understand the Nazi's who were living in Brazil during the war.  This  allowed him to provide valuable intelligence to the US Navy from conversations he overheard.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1943.

After leaving the service, Bruno went back to school on the GI bill.  He studied at Wayne  University (Now Wayne State University) and Lawrence Technological University to become a drafting engineer, eventually going to work for Chrylser Corporation.

He met Dolores Lenore Falk at a YWCA dance.  They were both attending Wayne State University at the time.  Within 3 years they were married in December 1955 and shortly after began their family.

Bruno had a successful career with Chrysler Corporation.  After 25 years with the company he retired in 1978.  In his retirement he was active with the VFW becoming Post Commander of the Livonia Post 3941.  He enjoyed gardening, traveling and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stefan and Elfrieda, his brother Erich and his son John Charles.

He is survived by his wife Dolores Lenore Hempel.  Children; Carl Allan Hempel (Victoria Esther), Conrad Paul Hempel (Sheryl Marie), Caroline Amanda Shapiro (David Allen).  Grandchildren; Daniel Allen Shapiro, Amanda Marie Braden (Earl Lynn), Sarah Alexandra Hempel, Melissa Lenore Shapiro, Jonathon Eli Hempel and Macayla Renee Shapiro, also 5 Great-Grandchildren; Landan Thomas Whitfield, Lauren Marie Whitefield, Jackson Cooper Braden, Katherine Elizabeth Braden and Ethan Zane Braden.

Visitation will take place Friday, June 22, 2018 from 10-11:00 AM at the Cane Funeral Home with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 with Pastor Elmer Liimatta officiating.  Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Greenland, MI

The Cane Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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