Ernest (Ernie) Wenger Obituary, Death – Due to symptoms from Parkinson’s disease and a catastrophic brain injury he had in a 2009 vehicle accident, Ernest (Ernie) Wenger, 75, of Baldwin, passed suddenly unexpectedly on February 2, 2023.
His departed parents, Emil and Shirley Wenger, had him on February 26, 1947, in Flint, Michigan. After graduating from Baldwin High School in 1965, he first enrolled at Ferris State University before transferring to Michigan State University. After graduating, he served two terms as president of the FSU College of Business Alumni Association.
He belonged to the social fraternity Phi Sigma Kappa at Ferris State and Michigan State University. Ernie served as a director of Lake-Osceola State Bank from 2007 to 2009 in addition to serving as a member of the 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard and The Wenger Insurance Agency from 1971 to 2009.
Ernie gave back to his local communities by participating in organizations like the Baldwin Congregational Church, the Baldwin Promise Zone Authority, the Baldwin Rotary Club, the Scottville Clown Band for more than 50 years, the Lake Community Foundation, the Pentwater Civic Band, the Pentwater Yacht Club, the West Central Concert Band at Ferris State University, the Baldwin Troutarama Committee, the Ferris State University President’s Club, and the Sounds From the Forest Music Committee.
He participated in a number of neighborhood bands, played tennis and softball, went sailing on Lake Michigan, and sang in his church’s choir. Ernie’s willingness to help people further their education led to the creation of the Baldwin Promise Authority, the Ernest & Susan Wenger Music Scholarship at Ferris State University, and the Lake-Osceola State Bank/Wenger Agency Century Scholarships.
Also, he participated in the Baldwin Rotary and Baldwin Congregational Church scholarship committees. Seth (Morgan) Wenger of Big Rapids, Miriam Fant of Rockford, Tim (Lara) Minnear of Hudsonville, Brian (Sarah) Fink of Reed City, and Keith (Samantha) Fink of Reed City, as well as their siblings Christine (Mike) Sugimura of Fairfax, Virginia, and Karen (John) Petersen of Scottville, as well as Rita Wenger, his wife of eight years and longtime friend