Carl Henry Koehnlein

Carl H. Koehnlein, 82, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on Monday, November 14, 2022.  Born in Greenville on December 15, 1939, to Joseph & Virginia (Kennedy) Koehnlein, Carl  & his sister were raised in Ionia by their grandparents, Harry & Rose Kennedy and aunt Marilyn Kennedy.  He graduated in 1958 from Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Ionia where he formed special friendships lasting his lifetime.

An Army veteran, Carl served his country from 1962-1965 stationed in Germany for the majority of his time.  He explored Europe during this period, visiting England, France, Germany, Austria and even skiing the Swiss Alps.  Upon his return to Ionia, Carl returned to working at the County News where he met & married is wife of 40 years, Betsy Munger.  After a merger, he continued on staff at the Ionia Sentinel Standard where he printed the daily newspapers until 1983 at which time he partnered with Keith Sypher to start S & K Printing.  Carl & Keith sold the business to current owner, Tyler Basler, in 2008  but Carl never really retired.  He continued to work there, assisting with the transition, teaching & mentoring Tyler about the printing business and helping out as needed up to a month before his death. 

Carl’s vast array of sports trivia was amazing.  He was an avid fan and enjoyed any & all sports.  He was scolded for playing basketball when he should have been in class, skipped school to see a baseball game in Chicago, attended several Tigers, Whitecaps & Baltimore Orioles games and enjoyed a rare Lions win over the Packers at Ford Field with his daughter, Carrie.  In his retirement he especially enjoyed playing golf with his friends & daughter, Kelly, participating in local leagues & tournaments. 

Carl become a member of the Ionia Moose Lodge in 1975 and the Ionia County Hunting & Fishing Club in the early 70s.  The close friendships forged through his involvement meant the world to Carl.  He remained a supporter in both organizations for life.  He also became somewhat of a farmer, living on the Munger Farm in Muir with his family & mother-in law and later on the Sandborn Farm in Portland helping his former son-in-law during planting & harvesting season. 

Carl is survived by his daughters Carrie (Gerry) Koehnlein-Alden and Kelly (Clay) Ramsey, former wife Betsy, step-father Wayne Snyder, step-grandchildren Garrett, Ryan & Aaron Ramsey, sister-in-law, Wanda Shurlow, nieces and nephews, Kent (Jane) Coon, Jenny Werkema, Deb Shurlow, Scott (Amy) Shurlow, Cindy (Brad) Masse, Roz (Chad) Clemens, former son-in-law, Jeff (Allison) Sandborn, special friends Dick Simmons and Tyler Basler.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sister & brother-in-law Sharon & Mike Coon, sister-in-law Jeanne Freund, brother-in-laws Bill Shurlow & Frank Ruggerio.  Special thanks & gratitude go out to the amazing staffs of DaVita Dialysis, SKLD Rehab, Green Acres Retirement Home and ProMedica Hospice for the outstanding support, care, compassion and love they gave to Carl during his illness. 

The family invites family & friends to a Celebration of Life dinner at the Ionia Moose Lodge on Saturday, November 19th, from 4-7 p.m. with a eulogy at 5:30 p.m.  Carl loved good food and a good party so come prepared to enjoy a feast in his honor.  In lieu of flowers, Carl requested monetary contributions be made in his memory to Ionia Moose Lodge #998, 869 E. Lincoln Ave, Ionia MI 48846, and Ionia County Hunting & Fishing Club, 2311 Bluewater Hwy, Ionia MI 48846. Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl Henry Koehnlein, please visit our floral store.