Herbert Ochenryder

Herb was born at his parents’ home on Short Street in Buchanan, Michigan on August 18, 1930 to John and Sylvia (Smith) Ochenryder.  He was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings, Leon, Donald, Virginia (Mrs. Willard Young) and DeVon, leaving the youngest, Herb as the survivor.

Herb attended Buchanan schools, quitting high school to enlist in the United States Army in 1948.  After completing his military service in 1954, he completed his high school diploma at Niles High School in 1970, and continued his education using the “G.I. Bill” to attend Southwestern Michigan College where he earned an Associate degree in Computer Science in 1974.  He retired from the State of Michigan Secretary of State Office in the Secondary Complex in Dimondale as a Computer Programmer/Analyst.

Herb spent 9 years on active duty in the Army (three 3-year enlistments).  He attained the rank of Master Sergeant while in Korea in 1953, where he was the Company 1st Sergeant.  He left the military in January of 1954, then re-enlisted as a Sergeant First Class in January, having lost one stripe due to a service interval of over 90 days.  Herb was awarded the Republic of Korea Korean War Veteran Medal on May 20, 2011.

He and the former Donna Turtle were married on June 19, 1954 at the First Baptist Church of Niles, then on Broadway at 4th Street.  They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this past June 19th.  In retirement they traveled with a 5th wheel trailer, and then a 35 foot motorhome, their full-time home for four years.  They were members of Foxy Squares square dance club in Lansing.  Herb loved square dancing, earning several badges.

While stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona Herb & Donna were blessed with the birth of two daughters, Quin Ette (& Dave) Wright of Niles and D. Ann (& Burl) Baber of Grand Rapids.  Grandchildren are Bryan Wright of Galveston, Texas, Rebecca Wright Thompson of Frankenmuth, Michigan, Elizabeth Baber Baker of Grand Rapids, and Andrea Baber Wilson of Grand Rapids; great-grandchildren Kendall and Sawyer Thompson of Frankenmuth and Naomi Baker of Grand Rapids, and another blessing, “Baby” Baker is due on January 7, 2018.

Herb’s wife, daughters, and family were at his bedside with loving care and prayers as he went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, 2017.

The funeral service for Herb Ochenryder will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Niles where Herb was a member with Pastor Mark Youngberg of the Church officiating assisted by longtime family friend, Pastor Dan Greegor of Sumnerville Baptist Church.  Committal rites will be read in the church parking lot and will conclude with Full Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at Noon on Thursday at the church.    Contributions in memory of Herb may be made to the church, or to Hospice at Home.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.