Lysle I. Luke, 77, of Coldwater, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at his home.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Coldwater First Baptist Church with Pastors David Pierce and David Anderson officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 from 2-4 & 6-8:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Lysle was born May 29, 1936 in Milwaukee, WI to Ivan & Magdalene (Gleeson) Luke. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1955 and earned his associates degree from Kellogg Community College. Lysle married his high school sweetheart, Mary M. Snyder on July 1, 1956 in Coldwater.
Mr. Luke was a test engineer in the automotive industry for many years. He had worked for Douglas Manufacturing, Sherer-Gilett and retired from Dana - Weatherhead Corp in 2003.
Lysle was a 63 year member of the First Baptist Church in Coldwater where he had served as a Deacon and on the Missions Board. He was very dedicated to the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America organizations. Lysle served as a scout master receiving many honors and awards including the Silver Beaver. One of his greatest passions in life was flying airplanes. Lysle had earned his pilots license and had dreams of becoming a commercial pilot, which he gave up to start a family. He continued to fly throughout the years and was an honorary member of the Branch County Flying Club; he also loved to build model airplanes. Lysle was a selfless man who gave willingly of himself to others. He adored his family, especially his granddaughters, for whom he never missed a sporting event, and the light of his life, his great granddaughter, Josie.
Lysle is survived by his wife Mary, his sons Larry (Amy) Luke of Florence, AZ, David Luke of Coldwater, his daughter Kristine (Michael) Gatke of Coldwater, his sisters and brothers Laurene (Jim) Hill of Vine Grove, KY, Duane Luke, Dwight Luke both of Jackson, Naomi (Eban) Cady of Jackson, Pam (Charlie) Knowles of Georgia, Alicia (Jack) Nickolson of Jackson, Barb Sparks of Indianapolis, IN, his grandchildren Kerri(Corey) Parker, Sarah Gatke all of Coldwater and his great granddaughter Josilyn Parker. He was preceded in death by his half sister Shelly Butcher and his step-brother Jerry Wert.
Memorials may be directed to the Branch Co. Flying Club, Scholarship Fund or to Huntington’s Disease Research.