Central 1949 Allen E Kester

Oct. 30, 1931 - Sept. 20, 2016

BRANCH, MI - Allen E. Kester Jr. 84, of Branch, MI, passed away at 8:30 AM Tuesday September 20, 2016, in Ludington Hospital. Al was born October 30, 1931, at home in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Allen Emerson Kester Sr. and Emma Hilda (Fritz) Kester. He graduated from Central High School and attended Indiana University. He was an ambulance driver when he met a nurse Kathleen Jean McNamara at St Joseph Hospital in South Bend. They married and have four children, Allen, Colette, Janine and Lauren who all survive.

After a divorce Al met Ginni Porter Giannola and they married on February 17, 1968. She survives along with her children, Joseph, Tina, Danny and Toni.

Also surviving are grandchildren Andrew, Molly, (her husband Bruce, kids Brooke and Bridgett), Corinna and Shannon and many more step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In Al's early years he raised afghan hounds and was the President of the Michiana Kennel Club. He had a pilot's license, ran a radio station and a music store in South Bend. For 44 years Al operated the Sauble Lake Emporium in Irons, Michigan with Ginni. He was instrumental in the training of the volunteers at the Sauble, Elk and Eden fire department. He had been Fire Chief for 8 years and helped upgrade their equipment. In later years they moved to Sebring, Florida, then back to Michigan. He was a member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville, Michigan. Al frequently returned to the South Bend area to visit family and attend Central High School reunions. He loved square dancing, drum and bugle corps music, the Chicago Cubs and Bears. Most of all he loved his family.

Any memorials in his name can be directed to the Sauble, Elk and Eden Fire Department in Irons, Michigan. There will be no services per his request.

Published in South Bend Tribune on Sept. 25, 2016

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