Joseph W. Hier

For many people, holidays are a time for spreading cheer, giving freely, and celebrating the love of friends and family, and perhaps that is why Joseph William Hier loved holidays so much. Thanksgiving was always one of his favorites because he liked to eat and there was an abundance of food to be passed around. He also liked to write poetry and holidays were a time when he could write a special poem to share with friends and family. Above all else, he had a big heart and though he never failed to say, "I love you" on any day of the year, holidays were a time when he could say it over and over with loved ones near. Truthfully, any day that he could spend with the family he cherished so much was a holiday for Joe. Surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan and nestled among some of the world's highest and most beautiful sand dunes, sits the small town of Empire. Located on the Leelanau Peninsula in Northern Michigan, Empire, in 1925, was hardly a bustling metropolis, but, with its fertile soils and maritime climate, farmers were reaping the land and living off natures' bounty. In the fall of that year, the harvest wasn't the only thing to be celebrated. On October 15th, L.J. Hier and his wife, Anna (Thayer), proudly welcomed a son they named Joseph William. While growing up on the family's vegetable farm, young Joe and his brother David were outnumbered by their four sisters, Lucy, Marian, Edie, and Nora. Tending the fields and running the farm was no easy feat and sometimes it seemed as though the work would never end. Joe loved living near the shores of Lake Michigan and wouldn't have traded it for anything, but there were certainly days when he would have gladly given up life on the farm. Joe attended school at Empire's one room schoolhouse, from where he earned his diploma. Just two years ago, Joe returned for a school reunion and was so happy to see friends from so long ago. After graduation, Joe joined the thousands of young men and women already serving and enlisted in the United States Navy. For a time he was stationed in Hawaii, but shipped out before that fateful day in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked and America was drawn into World War II. After the war, Joe returned to the shores of Lake Michigan, but decided to make his home a little further south than Empire, in Grand Haven. He moved to the city in search of work, but found something much greater. There he met a young lady by the name of Bernadine "Doris" Pearl, who, like him, had served in the war and had moved back home to work in Grand Haven. Before long, the couple found themselves in love and decided to make their commitment to one another official. After taking their vows, it didn't take long for the newlyweds to begin thinking about starting a family. When they moved for a brief time to Chicago, their first child Cheryl was born in 1948. Claudia followed in 1950, L.J. in 1951, Greg in 1956, Bruce in 1958, and Matt in 1961. Having moved back to Grand Haven in the intervening years and with six young mouths to feed, Joe was thankful that he was able to support his growing family. For many years he worked at Oldberg's Manufacturing making mufflers, but retired from Bastian Blessing, the famous soda fountain maker, which was Grand Haven's largest employer for many years. Joe may have been a good provider for his family, but that wasn't what made him such a good dad. He loved to entertain his children by cracking jokes or making silly remarks. Even in pictures he typically had a big grin on his face, mugging for the camera. Joe loved to make his children laugh. His poems were a special treat, sure to bring a smile, and a verse of his poem, "Laugh," certainly captures his attitude towards life, Laughing is the way of life, laugh the whole day through... We may shed a tear, or two, in happiness, or grief But laughing is the way of life, I stand on my belief. Throughout their marriage, Joe and Doris shared a love and a friendship that is not easy to come by. They enjoyed spending time together, going out to the Eagles or the VFW, playing cards with friends, and taking color tours in the fall. Sadly, in April 1993 after spending so many wonderful years together, Doris passed away. Joe was alone for some time, but he was never lonely. He had his family to lean on and he joined a singles group at Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, where he met Viola. In November of 1993, the two were married. Newly married and in their golden years, Joe and Viola spent a good deal of their time traveling together, often times on bus tours arranged through Orchard View Community Education. No matter where they went or what they did, one thing that was always for sure, Joe was a great companion at home or on the road. On one of their trips to Branson, Missouri, Joe was sitting in the front row of a concert when a flirtatious Patsy Cline impersonator hugged Joe - choosing him out of the whole entire audience. What with Joe being a very affectionate person, who liked to give and receive lots of hugs, that one moment made his day and he never forgot it! More than anything Joe was a family man and he never failed to tell anyone how much he cared. From writing poems to giving hugs to saying "I love you," he found many ways to express his feelings through both his words and his actions. Now with his passing, those same words can tell of his most endearing qualities, yet they cannot begin to capture all of the fond memories and warm thoughts that will remain in the hearts and minds of his family and friends for a lifetime. Mr. Joseph W. Hier, age 81, died Thursday, November 16, 2006. He is survived by his wife, Viola Ruth Hier; 4 sons, L.J. (Linda) Hier of Nunica, Greg (Karen) Hier of Clover, VA, Bruce (Beverly) Hier of Colfield, NC, Matt (Cindy) Hier of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Cheryl Baumgart & Claudia Bray both of Charlotte, MI. He had 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Bernadine Doris (Pearl) Hier, his brother David & sisters, Lucy, Marion, Edie & Nora. Services will be held Monday, November 20, 2006, 2:00 PM at Fellowship Reformed Church in Muskegon with Pastor Jerry Worrell officiating. Memorial gifts may be made to your Charity of Choice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.