Bertram Craven

Bertram Martin Craven of Millington, Michigan passed away early Monday morning September 2, 2019, at the age of 75.

Bertram was born in Dafter, Michigan on July 18, 1944 and was the son of the late Russell and Lillian (Smith) Craven. Bertram grew up in the Brimley, Michigan area and graduated from the Brimley High School in 1962. On August 6, 1977 Bertram married Donna Zuhlke and together they have celebrated 42 years of marriage.

Bert was a resident of Millington for over 40 years. He worked at GM Truck and Bus, until he retired in 2004. Bert was a family man, he loved his wife, all of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and sisters. He loved to fish, hunt, and garden. He also shared many memories with his family picking strawberries, cherries, and blueberries. Bert enjoyed canning foods and teaching how to bake pies. One of the many things Bert did was go to the local bars, hang out with friends, and shoot pool. He was known for telling many jokes to everyone he knew, he even stopped strangers just to tell them a joke. Bert enjoyed playing horseshoes in his younger days. He loved to watch football, basketball, and baseball and root for his favorite teams.

Bertram leaves to cherish his memory; wife Donna.  He leaves also three children; Steve (Bonnie) Matzke, Dale (Tracey) Matzke, and Tammy (Clayton) Wilber. He leaves ten grandchildren; Jennifer, Melinda, Steve, Leslie, Dale, Jacob, Amber, Brady, Paige, and Brett. Bertram also leaves; 15 great-grandchildren, his siblings, Violet (Lyle) Gates, Dorothy Eitrem, Shirley (Ken) Mitchell, Loretta (Herb) Scales and Charlie Fish, as well as nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. Besides his parents; Bertram is also preceded in death by two brothers; Clarence and Clifford Craven, and two sisters; Mary Ellen Craven, and Nora Steele.

The Craven family will receive friends at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington, MI on Thursday September 5, 2019 from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm and for a brief time on Friday morning from 10:00 am until the services begin. Funeral services for Bertram will be a t 11:00 am Friday September 6, 2019 at the Hanlin Funeral Home in Millington, MI. The burial will follow at the Pinegrove Cemetery in Arbela Twp., Millington, Michigan.  In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be directed to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or to a charity of your choice.  You’re welcome to express condolences, share a memory, or light a candle at hanlinfuneralhome.com

HANLIN FUNERAL HOME

Millington, Michigan

A Family serving Families Since 1928