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Obituary for Gilbert Ekelman
Gilbert Louis Ekelman of Brighton, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16th, 1930. He lived to be 89 years old. Departing from this world on January, 25th, 2020 in a peaceful way. He was the only son of Otto and Mildred (Radloff) Ekelman. He worked in the Cleveland area for over 40 years for the Davey Tree Expert Company as a tree climber and then as a supervisor.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean war. Once returning to the United States he returned to the Davey Tree Company to continue his career. In the early 60’s he broke his leg literally falling out of a tree when a safety harness slipped…why is this significant you may ask…because he was then set up on a blind date with Dorothy Kendall who would later become his wife. They were married in September of 1963 and moved to Fairview Park after they were wed. They lived in the same home for all 45 years of their married life. In 1965 they had their only daughter Kathy (Ekelman) Liss. He and Dorothy enjoyed the company of their three grandchildren Brendan, Brittany and Brooke and visited Michigan often. Once Dorothy passed Gilbert moved to the Brighton area to a home on Ore Lake where he stayed until December of 2018 which was when he moved into Kathy’s home for the last year of his life.
His favorite past time was fishing, but he enjoyed hunting also. He loved living on the lake watching baby ducks each spring, ice fishing with binoculars (watching others ice fishing), and the company of his dog.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, and is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Jeff) Liss; grandchildren, Brendan, Brittany and Brooke as well as extended family members and friends.
A Memorial Service was held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 600 E. Main Street, Brighton on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
A Memorial Service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 21485 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126, on Saturday, March 21, at 11AM. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30AM until the time of service. A luncheon will follow. Interment of ashes in Riverside Cemetery in Cleveland, Saturday, March 21, 2PM.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to: Meals on Wheels, with checks payable to: Livingston County Senior Nutrition Program (LCSNP), 9525 E. Highland Road, Howell, MI 48843 or to The Guest House of Fowlerville, checks payable to Risberg Hospice Foundation, 135 Free Street, Fowlerville, MI 48836.
For further information, phone Lynch & Sons, Brighton at 810-229-2905.
