Milton R. Broeders

Milton was born Sept. 11, 1936 in Foster City, Mich., the son of Gerard and Gertrude (Taucher) Broeders.

He moved to Gladstone in his teenage years when his father bought the Spot Tavern. In the 1950s, Milton served as a Merchant Marine and sailed the Great Lakes. He worked many years in construction for various companies. He was an underwater diver for a few of those construction companies.

Milton was united in marriage to Virginia Williams-Bale on Oct. 23, 1986 in Marquette.

Milton enjoyed hunting, woodworking, fishing, and being with his friends. A highlight in Milton’s life was the fishing and hunting trips to Canada and Alaska that he took with his friends. He especially liked listening to country music. Virginia and Milton enjoyed going to car shows all over Michigan together with friends. At one time he had four antique cars.

In addition to his loving wife of 39 years, Virginia Broeders, Milton is survived by two children, Erika (Elizabeth) Ramirez of Desert Hot Springs, Calif. and John Broeders of Gladstone; two stepchildren, Robert M. Bale of Ovid, Mich. and Susan M. Bale of Chesaning, Mich.; four brothers, Ernest Broeders of Ford River, Ted (Nancy) Broeders of Escanaba, Donald Broeders of Perkins and John (Dawn) Broeders of Sun City, Ariz.; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild.

Milton is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Milton is preceded in death by one son, Milton Broeders; four brothers, Gerard, Leo, Nick, and Leroy; two sisters, Pearl and Alida; and two half-sisters, Johanna Lucas and Marguerite Anderson.

Family will receive friends Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, from noon until 2 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services will follow visitation at 2 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Joseph V. Augustine officiating. A luncheon will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Perkins. Milton will be laid to rest in Perkins Cemetery.

The Skradski Family ­Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Broeders family. Please visit ­www.skradskifuneralhomes.com where you can leave a message of condolence to the family.