Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Gemuend, Harry H. Sr. March 7, 1979 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 14, 2010, 5:39 pm The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Thursday, March 8, 1979 Harry H. Gemuend Sr., 86, life-time Ionia resident, dean of the Ionia-Montcalm bar and a community leader, died late Wednesday at Ionia County Memorial Hospital. Gemuend was regarded by Ionia lawyers as one of the oldest practicing attorneys in Michigan and was active in partnership with his son, Robert G., from 1963 until his death. Gemuend was born April 15, 1892, in Ionia, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Gemuend. He attended SS. Peter and Paul Academy. He practiced law more than 65 years in Ionia, following graduation from the Detroit College of Law in 1912. He practiced law in partnership with the late Royal Hawley and the late Foss Eldred, and later former a partnership with the late Raymond Barnes. Judge Leo Bebeau, retired judge of the Ionia-Montcalm Circuit Court, told the Sentinel-Standard from Flagstaff, Ariz., “Harry Gemuend was a genuine human being. The experience of knowing him was a pleasure. The legal profession was enriched by his professional competence and those who worked with him enjoyed the experience. His passing is a loss to all of us which may be softened by thoughts of this fine man.” Gemuend was a vice president and director of Ionia County National Bank. Ronald Story, president of the bank, said today, “Harry was elected to the National Bank Board of Directors in June 1937. He served the bank as director, vice president, member of the executive committee, and as its legal counsel. He took great interest in the bank, its people, and its progress. He always took personal pride in his involvement with the bank. We feel fortunate to have had Harry as a friend and officer of the bank for 42 years. We will miss him and his wisdom. His contributions to our progress will be remembered.” Clarence Johnson, former Ionia mayor and long-time associate of Gemuend’s said, “My many years of close and friendly association with Harry Gemuend will forever be a memory to cherish deeply. Harry’s deep concern for his fellow man; his depth of compassion for all; his deep religious faith; and devotion to his family, his community and his country, truly made him a man who will be long remembered. Good men can be succeeded but never replaced and Harry Gemuend was such a man.” Gemuend served for about 40 years as a director of Ionia Free Fair Association. Douglas Welch, Ionia attorney and president of Ionia Free Fair Association, said, “Harry’s death saddens us all. But the Lord gave him many years and he splendidly used all of them, both in his profession, in his association with the Ionia Free Fair, his church, his lodges and in a host of community activities. He was a very active man among and that is a good thing to be said.” Gemuend was married Oct. 11, 1921 in Ionia, to the former Laura Koster. Mrs. Gemuend survives him. He is also survived by two sons, Harry Jr. of Grosse Pointe, and Robert of Ionia; by a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Harriet) Klein, also of Ionia; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Gemuend was also a member of the Michigan Bar Association and Ionia-Montcalm Counties Bar Association. He was a member of the Detroit College of Law Alumni Association, Valparaiso University Alumni Association, and Ferris State Golden Eagles Association. He was also a member of Catholic Lawyers Association, was a Fourth Degree member of Ionia Knights of Columbus, and a member of Holy Name Society. He was also a member of Ionia Rotary club, Ionia American Legion, Ionia Moose Lodge, and Ionia Elks lodge. He was a past exalted ruler of Ionia Elks and had been a member for 65 years. He was also a member of Ionia Country Club. A veteran of World War I, Gemuend served with the U.S. Cavalry and was discharged as a captain. He ran for and was elected prosecuting attorney of Ionia County in 1920, took office Jan. 1, 1921, and served two terms of two years each. Funeral services will be held from SS. Peter and Paul church at 11 a.m. Saturday. A memorial has been established for SS. Peter and Paul Church. The family will be at the funeral home Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/g/gemuend5580nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb