Obituary for Manfred Hilberer
Manfred Hilberer age 74 of Dexter, Michigan passed away December 7, 2022 at University of Michigan Hospital.
He was born April 7, 1948 in Ehingen, Germany to parents, Franz and Franziska Hilberer.
Manfred graduated from Ann Arbor High School, in 1967. This was the same year he officially became a US Citizen and joined the US Navy serving from 1968-1971. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Charles S. Sperry. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Ann Arbor where he married his high school sweetheart, Theresa Holzapfel in April of 1972. They were able to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary earlier this year.
In 1981, he graduated from Washtenaw Community College earning an Associate Degree in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and in 1983, a second Associate Degree in Journeyman/Industrial.
He retired from The University of Michigan as Assistant Chief Engineer at the Central Power Plant in 2003, after over 30 years of service.
He was a life member of Schwaebischer Unterstuetzungs Verein (a German Fraternal club in Ann Arbor), a member of GBU Financial Life District 630 of Ann Arbor, and the American Legion.
Manfred was very proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He enjoyed being with his family, camping, hunting, boating, riding his motorcycle, and attending classic car shows. He enjoyed traveling and shared many vacations with Gary and Linda Chesser, of Mississippi, who he considered family. Their friendship began when he met Gary in the Navy. He also enjoyed attending Navy reunions over the past seventeen years. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franz Josef and Franziska Maria (Hieber) Hilberer and his father and mother in-law, Kenneth Oscar and Harriett Louise (Gardner) Holzapfel.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa; his children, Kimberly (Gary) Dosey of Chelsea, David (Jodi) Hilberer of Saline, Philip (Chrissy) Hilberer of Grass Lake; his grandchildren, Joshua Dosey, Zachary Dosey, Amanda Dosey, Brynn Hilberer, Bryce Hilberer, Makenzie Hilberer, Kayleigh Hilberer and Louis Hilberer; his brother, Gunter “Frank” (Bonnie) Hilberer; his nephews, Jason and Brian (Lisa) Hilberer and their families; sister in-law, Sharon Landers; and brother in-law, Kenneth (Carol) Holzapfel and their families. He is also survived by many cousins in Germany.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home - 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Nie Funeral Home - 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:00 am. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Bethlehem Cemetery in Ann Arbor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the charity of your choice.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Manfred.
He was born April 7, 1948 in Ehingen, Germany to parents, Franz and Franziska Hilberer.
Manfred graduated from Ann Arbor High School, in 1967. This was the same year he officially became a US Citizen and joined the US Navy serving from 1968-1971. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Charles S. Sperry. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Ann Arbor where he married his high school sweetheart, Theresa Holzapfel in April of 1972. They were able to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary earlier this year.
In 1981, he graduated from Washtenaw Community College earning an Associate Degree in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and in 1983, a second Associate Degree in Journeyman/Industrial.
He retired from The University of Michigan as Assistant Chief Engineer at the Central Power Plant in 2003, after over 30 years of service.
He was a life member of Schwaebischer Unterstuetzungs Verein (a German Fraternal club in Ann Arbor), a member of GBU Financial Life District 630 of Ann Arbor, and the American Legion.
Manfred was very proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He enjoyed being with his family, camping, hunting, boating, riding his motorcycle, and attending classic car shows. He enjoyed traveling and shared many vacations with Gary and Linda Chesser, of Mississippi, who he considered family. Their friendship began when he met Gary in the Navy. He also enjoyed attending Navy reunions over the past seventeen years. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franz Josef and Franziska Maria (Hieber) Hilberer and his father and mother in-law, Kenneth Oscar and Harriett Louise (Gardner) Holzapfel.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa; his children, Kimberly (Gary) Dosey of Chelsea, David (Jodi) Hilberer of Saline, Philip (Chrissy) Hilberer of Grass Lake; his grandchildren, Joshua Dosey, Zachary Dosey, Amanda Dosey, Brynn Hilberer, Bryce Hilberer, Makenzie Hilberer, Kayleigh Hilberer and Louis Hilberer; his brother, Gunter “Frank” (Bonnie) Hilberer; his nephews, Jason and Brian (Lisa) Hilberer and their families; sister in-law, Sharon Landers; and brother in-law, Kenneth (Carol) Holzapfel and their families. He is also survived by many cousins in Germany.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home - 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor on Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Nie Funeral Home - 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 11:00 am. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Bethlehem Cemetery in Ann Arbor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the charity of your choice.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Manfred.