Sekercioglu, Ibrahim "Abe"

Mr. Ibrahim Sekercioglu, age 65, passed away suddenly Wednesday night, January 10, 2007 at his home in Muskegon, MI. He was born in Bergama (the biblical city of Pergamon), Turkey on April 15, 1941 to Veli & Nazmiye Sekerciogullari. He immigrated to the United States in 1961 to study at Alfred University where he earned M.A. and PhD degrees in ceramic engineering, and met his future wife, Mary Johnson. After graduation, he returned to Turkey where he was married on July 21, 1971. He served in the Turkish military as an officer and translator for NATO. He returned to the U.S. in 1974 to start his family and earned his citizenship in 1985. He pursued a research and development career in ceramic engineering and was awarded several patents for his work. His devotion to his family remained foremost throughout his life. SURVIVORS Wife of 34 years, Mary; 2 sons, Erhan brother, Mehmet; 2 sisters, Hatice & Umran, all of Bergama, Turkey. SERVICE Monday, January 15, 2007, 11:00 AM at St. Luke's Lutheran Church with Rev. Sarah Samuelson officiating. VISITATION Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. MEMORIAL: American Heart Association or National Public Radio.