Frederick Bechtold Sr

Frederick W. Bechtold Sr., 89, of Bellaire, died Fri. July 5, 2013 at Munson Hospice House. He was born Oct. 12, 1923 in East Jordan, the son of Dr. George W. and Gladys I. (Kenney) Bechtold. Frederick was a proud member of the US Marines, serving in WWII at Iwo Jima, Guam, Guadalcanal, and Bougainville. He received several distinguished military awards including a purple heart. He continued his devotion to the Marines after he was discharged in 1946. He belonged to the Marine Corps League and continued to support individuals serving our country. He became a member of the VFW and American Legion and for the last 67 years proudly marched in the Memorial Day Parade. A banker by trade, Frederick began working at the Bellaire State Bank in January of 1947 and worked there for 40 years. During his banking career he testified before congress to secure financing for the development of Shanty Creek. He was also on numerous state banking committees. Frederick was a past member of the Bellaire Board of Education, and a Life member of the Bellaire Lions Club. He served on the Bellaire Village Council and the Bellaire Industrial Fund. He was also a long standing member of St. Luke Catholic Church where served as an Usher and on the Finance Council. On April 19, 1947, in Petoskey, MI, Frederick married Pauline Behan who survives. Also surviving are his children Frederick W. (Kathryn Knoff) Bechtold Jr., Paula (Gary) Griffith, Mary (Tom) Lane, James (Cynthia Chambers) Bechtold, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Mark and sister's Jean Hudnutt and Louise Jackson. A Memorial Mass will take place Fri. July 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church with Fr. James Gardiner officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. A time of fellowship will also follow Mass in the luncheon hall. Interment will take place in the family plot at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Petoskey. Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke Church and Antrim County Baby Pantry. Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.