Obituary of Verle J. Thalmann

MSgt (Ret) Verle J. Thalmann, born on October 27, 1936, in Berrien Center, Michigan, peacefully went to his heavenly home on August 26, 2023, surrounded by family, after a brief illness.  Verle was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, friend and career airman.  He was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Joyce Thalmann, his second wife, Roberta "Bobbie" Thalmann, and daughter, Cheryl Savage (Thalmann).  Verle is survived by his sisters, Eunice Rogien and Judy Pufall and his sons, Jim, Steve (Tammy), Ken (Renee) and Ron Thalmann, plus 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Verle was raised on the family farm, near Berrien Springs, Michigan.  Soon after graduating from hgh school, he joined the United States Air Force and began a distinguished 20+ year career serving as an electronics technician, maintenance crew chief and instructor.  He served overseas in various locations, including RAF Alconbury United Kingdom, Thule Greenland and Danang Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam.  Whilte stateside, he served on bases in Mississippi, Illinois, Massachusetts and Arizona. 

During one of his first assignments, he met and married Joyce Shaeffer in 1955, with whom he had five children.  Joyce passed away unexpectedly in 1991.  After Joyce's passing, Verle stayed in touch with Joyce's close friend, Bobbie Keehner.  He maintained a close friendship with Bobbie which blossomed into marriage in 1992.  They cherished their years together before Bobbie's passing earlier this year. 

Verle's legacy will be celebrated at a memorial service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (241 N. Harrison Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85748) at 11:00 am on September 30, 2023.  A military interment service honoring his dedicated service to our country will be held at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Marana at a later date.