Gary W. Wakenhut

Gary Wynn Wakenhut of Vanderbilt, MI, (formerly of Lakeview) passed away at Hiland Cottage Hospice House in Petoskey on February 22, 2017.  He was born in 1940 in Jackson, Michigan to Wynn and Arlene Wakenhut.

When Gary was 10 years old, his mother gave him the clarinet she had played in high school.  She also quoted Albert Switzer as saying, “You will never know how much your music will mean to you.”  And indeed, music was a profound influence in his life.  He played in bands and orchestras; in Ann Arbor and Northville high schools, MSU’s marching and concert bands, his own big band and the Flat River Big Band, Greenville’s Danish Band, numerous pit orchestras and community bands and choirs, The Grand Rapids Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds.  He met Anne Wunsch, in the Traverse City Symphony and they were married June 11, 1966 in Omena. They created a musical duo (The Collecting Consort) that performed throughout Michigan for over 30 years.

Gary earned his BA in Radio and Television Production from MSU in 1962 and worked as the supervisor of recording at Interlochen for 10 years.  He returned to MSU and earned an MA in Guidance and Personnel Services in 1968.  He worked as a counselor for 10 years at the Montcalm County Mental Health Center and in a private practice for 15 years. He also taught part time at Montcalm Community College.

Following Albert Switzer’s example, Gary devoted his life to “making this world a better place”.  It gave him great joy to encourage everyone he met to reach their greatest potential.  Throughout his life he volunteered in many capacities including Hospice of Michigan, Montcalm County Commission on Aging, church committees, prisons re-entry programs, Lakeview Seniors (he originated), and many other community organizations.  He was known as the “Flute Man” (a Certified Music Practitioner) in many hospitals, Hospice and assisted living facilities. He and Anne traveled to New Orleans after Katrina to play music at Christmas and also taught at an orphanage in Kenya.

In 2014, Gary and Anne moved to Song of the Morning Yoga Retreat where he created promotional videos and worked on many environmental and developmental committees.

He produced 13 Collecting Consort recordings, wrote and produced numerous radio programs for NPR, and many DVD’s.  He trained as a Spiritual Director through the Grand Rapids Dominican Center, accompanying many in their spiritual journey. He wrote a book for parents and produced many programs for school assemblies, church programs and other organizations.

He was a serious gardener who loved to share his knowledge and the fruits of his labor with everyone.

He was a kind, patient, accepting, creative soul who deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is now gently nurturing seedlings and making healing music on the other side.

Gary is survived by his wife of fifty years, Anne Wakenhut of Vanderbilt; daughter, Jennifer (Jerry) Johnson of Winn and son, Michael Wakenhut of Mt. Pleasant; seven grandchildren, Jessup Hetzman (Jessica Mikel) of Alma, Alyshia (Jordan) Ramon of Crystal, Kane Johnson of Winn, Kaleb Hetzman (Brittinie Finch)  of Riverdale, Westyn Gary Holmes, Annie Jane Holmes and Jamie Johnson of Winn; seven great-grandchildren, Noah, Isabelle, Casey, Matthew, Kayden, Luke and Greyson.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Jane Wunsch Isaacsen and fathers-in-law Dr. Richard Wunsch and Ernest Isaacsen.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 18th at 11:00 A.M.  at Song of the Morning, Vanderbilt, MI with a luncheon following, and Saturday, March 25th  at New Life United Methodist Church in Lakeview, MI. with a visitation at 9:00 A.M.  until the service at 11:00 A.M.  with a luncheon following.

Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Gary Wakenhut music scholarship fund for Lakeview students, held at the Lakeview Area Community Foundation to encourage the joy of music: LACF, Wakenhut fund, 101 N. Lafayette, Greenville, MI 48838 or to The Song of the Morning Community Care Fund, established to provide support for the emerging health care needs of the Song of the Morning resident community: Song of the Morning, 9607 Sturgeon Valley Rd. E., Vanderbilt, MI 49795

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com