Brian Wensauer

Brian W. Wensauer, age 81, died peacefully at home, with his family at his side, on Friday morning, March 7, 2025.

As the third child and only one born in Battle Creek Michigan, after his family moved here so his father could start his new government position as the personnel director with Percy Jones Hospital in 1943. Brian attended one of the first classes at the new Saint Joseph Elementary School-and finishing his high school education at Saint Philip Catholic High School in 1962.

Starting college at the new campus of Kellogg Community, Brian graduated with an Associate Degree In Business Administration before venturing over to Western Michigan University earning a bachelor of Business Administration. A three-year tour of duty with the US Army as a Bio-Medical Maintenance engineer allowed him to start his first entrepreneurial venture, Merco Medical and Dental company. Shortly after successfully getting Merco Medical running he started his second venture, Merco Computer systems as a division of the medical maintenance company. Upon selling the Bio-Medical company he changed the name of the computer company to Strategic Software Inc. This successful company was a leader in the development of the World Wide Web having started it’s successor, The Great Lakes Free-net was located on the second floor of Consumers Power on Michigan Ave.

While operating his computer company he decided to venture into the ownership of an Allstate Insurance Franchise, retiring after 20 years in the property casualty business. Brian continued to this day servicing individual and Medicare clients. Several years ago he took over as the interim President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan Heartland during a tough financial time in its long history in nine counties with 450 employees about to lose their employment. Today Brian is serving his third four-year term as the Treasurer of Calhoun County.

Brian has two children, Troy (Patricia) Wensauer of Kalamazoo, Laura (Mike) Tooze of Sarasota, FL; his significant other, Kay Calley-Martin of Battle Creek; four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.

Brian is a member and past President of the Cereal City Rotary Club, Ambucs Club, Cereal City Lions Club, Harper Creek Optimist Club and the Treasurer of the newly formed Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation. Brian is also proud to serve as a Commander and Past Commander in Chief on the Naval Brigade of Michigan and a member of the Commanders Club of Michigan. He was a Paul Harris Rotarian. Brian was a yes man, always willing to lend a hand to anyone. Opening up conversations and making friends came easy to Brian, no matter where he was. Brian was kind, and generous to his family, to his community, to those who were less fortunate. He worked hard and made a difference in numerous community organizations, giving his time, his ideas, outlook, friendship and financial support. Brian was an entrepreneur, developing ideas and willing to work hard to make them successful. He loved working and designing his backyard oasis, which included waterfalls, an all-season gazebo, outdoor kitchen, perennials, numerous hostas, unique willows, 7-foot-tall lilies and so much more. His yard was featured on the 29th Garden Tour in 2022. Known by Goodwill Industries as the Humble Conductor, Brian will be remembered as an absolute giant in our community with a heart of gold. His life impacted anyone who ever knew him and he changed many lives. He will be missed by many but his legacy will forever glow in the hearts of many.

Friends will be received 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Battle Creek where funeral services to celebrate Brian’s life will be held 12:00 noon, Monday, March 17, 2025. The service will be Live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/4976380. Interment with full military honors by the Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Guard will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, where Brian will be laid to rest.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, the Kellogg Community College Foundation, the Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation (ccrwbf.org), the Music Center of South Central Michigan (www.yourmusiccenter.org), any local service organization or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).

Personal messages or stories in memory of Brian may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.