Arthur Kerle ’46

Arthur Kerle ’46 of Grayling, passed into Glory on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. Born September 22, 1920 to Gustav and Elsie (Palubniak) Kerle in Passaic, NJ., his active life included achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in high school. Art married the love of his life, Helen Wilhelm Kerle, on June 12, 1947. They raised three children; Susan Kerle ’74 (Gordon ’75) Callam, Arthur P. (Becky Knasel) Kerle ’51, and Nancy Kerle ’80 (Steven) Cope. Besides his children, Art is survived by eight grandchildren, Daniel and Katie Callam, Arthur C., Matthew (Victoria) and Kristen Kerle, and Elizabeth, Andrew and Peter Cope. Also surviving is his brother Edward (Jean) Kerle of Granville, Ohio, an aunt and several cousins.

After serving in the Army Air Corp in WWII, he graduated from Hope College, received a Master’s degree at the U of M, and completed 29 years as an elementary school principal in the Willow Run School District in Ypsilanti. The Kerle Media Center was named in his honor. Art and Helen retired to the Au Sable River in 1978. They lived their dream amidst the beauty of the woods: canoeing, fishing, birding, promoting conservation, and relishing their summers as fire tower lookouts in Montana.

Art was an accomplished writer, publishing numerous articles and several books, the latest completed at the age of 95. Art will always be remembered for being totally devoted to Helen. They enjoyed 65 years together before Helen’s passing in 2013. “They grew old together but when they laughed, they grew young again.”