Carl E. Anderson

Carl E. Anderson of Battle Creek, MI

Carl, age 92, died Thursday afternoon, April 5, 2018 at the Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence, Battle Creek, with his loving family at his side.

Carl, the son of Carl V. and Kathryn (Dansard) Anderson, was born in Battle Creek on May 29, 1925 and was a life time resident. Carl was united in marriage to the "Love of his Life," Marilyn E. Morgan in Louisville, KY on August 22, 1947, which was Marilyn's 18th birthday.

Carl was a Jack-of-all-Trades and master of most. Probably his greatest accomplishment was that of being a great Husband and Daddy and a good provider. The ways he worked to make a living were many and he enjoyed each of them. He began his work career in his early teens as a farm hand. In his late teens he answered the call to work for Uncle Sam. After his time in the Army, he worked at being a heavy equipment operator, and at one time owned his own bulldozer and crane. He was also a well driller, logger, explosives specialist, house mover, and much more. He was a builder, electrician, plumber, and whatever else it took to build the house where he and Marilyn raised their family. Carl enjoyed working with his hands, and his creativity was most often seen when making things from iron. If he knew what a thing was supposed to do when it was finished, he could design and build it.

As his children began to grow, a question would come up every now and then. "What did you do in the War (ll), Daddy." As with most soldiers who have experienced really tough things in war, he rarely talked about it. He always downplayed his service by reminding them that he was a mechanic in a tank group and didn't go overseas until the war was nearing its end. Then, years later, he mentioned being on a "clean-up crew." Many years after that, it was learned that where the "clean-up crews" worked was at the sites of the concentration camps. His legacy continues as 4 of his great-grandsons have joined the military in the past few years. He served his country honorably and nobly during World War II in the United States Army as a Tec 5 with the 756th Tank Battalion in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theaters.

Carl was a Millwright with the Union Local # 1102, Detroit, retiring in 1990. He was a long time member of the Marshall Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Carl was an outgoing and lovable guy, and he was always available to help "a neighbor in distress." Though it didn't really matter who the person was, he was especially kind and helpful to the elderly. And, through his example, his kids learned to be compassionate also.

Surviving is his wife of 71 years, Marilyn; five daughters, Sharon (Roger) Inman and Diana (Dennis) Inman, both of Marshall, MI, Nancy Anderson of East Leroy, MI, Margaret (Phil Hart) Anderson of Climax, MI and Annette (Craig) Bradley of Augusta, MI; four sons, Carl E. (Melissa) Anderson of Dowling, MI, Eugene (Lynda) Anderson and Eric Anderson, both of Battle Creek and Robert Anderson of Marshall; and a combination of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great- great- grandchildren that reaches nearly fifty; his brother, Robert (Mary) Anderson of East Leroy and many nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Barbara Brown and Marion Lang and his brother, Lowell Anderson.

Carl's family will greet friends on Tuesday, April 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. The Funeral Service to celebrate Carl's life will be held on Wednesday, April 11th at Noon at the funeral home with Pastor Ronald Mills, officiating. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the United States Army Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full military honors. Memorial contributions in Carl's honor may be directed to the Battle Creek Academy or the Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence.