AUGUST WILLERT

Aug. Willert Passes after Brief Illness
Fonner—Alderman,
For Many Years With Vits Interests, Dies at Home Today
An Illness of only three weeks duration and which developed into
pneumonia this morning at 4 o'clock, claimed the life of August C.
Willert, chief engineer of the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing company
and for many years a resident of this city. Death occurred at the
family home, 506 River Drive, with immediate members of his family
in attendance at the bedside when the end came.
Mr. Willert was widely know throughout the city and county and for
a time was a member of the city council from the Fifth ward in
addition to serving in other positions of public trust. For 58 years
he was affiliated with the Vits interests, starting his employment
with the family on the farm homestead at Newton, later coming to this
city with them to become employed in the tannery, Aluminum Novelty
company and still later at the present Aluminum Goods Manufacturing
company.
Spent Many Years Here
Practically all of Mr. Willert years were spent in Manitowoc city
and county as he came here from Germany when four years of age and
made his home in this vicinity continuously since that time. He was
born November 10, 1852. On January 15, 1881, he married Miss Augusta
Kasten and the couple celebrated their golden wedding annlversary
this year with many relatives and friends in attendance at the open
house observed then.
Mr. Willert was one of the first men of the Aluminum Goods company
to receive the gold watch awarded by the company to employees in the
twenty-five year service class and he prized the token to his death.
He continued with the company, despite his age and was highly regarded
by its office.
Besides his widow, immediate survivors include six daughters, the
Mesdames J. E. Noble, Denver, Colo.; Fred Grapentin, Newton; Harry
Brandenburg, Walter Todl, William Uek and Arthur Wigen, all of this
city; two sons, Fred of Chicago and Edward of Manitowoc; a brother,
Theodore Waak of Manitowoc, Mrs. George Falkenhagen, Antigo; 15
grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Watched Concern Grow
Although he was much interested in city affairs, Mr. Willert's primary
concerns were his work and his family life. He watched the present
Aluminum Goods Manufacturing company develop from a small factory in
a frame building to its present mammoth proportions, and took an active
part in its development in the handling of the engineering facilities
for the organization. For some time he was treasurer of the National
Association of Power Engineers.
For many years, Mr. Willert was interested in musical organizations
of the city and was a member of the Concordia Singing Society and the
Men's Club of the First Reformed Church.
The remains will be removed from the Wattawa, Urbanek and Schlei mortuary
to the home on River Drive after 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
Funeral Saturday
Funeral services will be held from the home at 1:30 o'clock and from the
First Reformed church, Ninth and Hancock streets, at 2 o'clock on Saturday
afternoon with the Rev. Otto Menke officiating. Interment will take place
at Evergreen cemetery.
Manitowoc Herald News, Thursday, April 2, 1931
********
[bur. 4-4-1931/age 78 yrs/cause: lobar pneumonia]