Warren Ivan Unterkircher, 85, of Bronson, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2015 at Masonville Place in Coldwater.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 8, 2016 from 2-4 & 6-8:00 PM at Dutcher-Kolcz Funeral Home in Bronson. Military Honors will be presented at 7:00 PM by the Bronson American Legion. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Warren was born May 25, 1930 to Carl & Mary (Kirkpatrick) Unterkircher in Noble Twp., MI and graduated in 1944 from Noble #2, Hickory Corners Country School. He did mechanical work for his brother and drove truck for Ralph Hacker and Commercial Carriers, hauling new cars.
Warren enlisted in the US Navy, stationed aboard the USS New DD 818 for one year, being honorably discharged and placed in the Naval Reserves. He married Norma Jeanne Keckler on June 24, 1950 at Pleasant Hill Church of Bronson. The Korean War broke out the next day and he was recalled to service, spending the next 20 months in the Pacific. He graduated from Radio School in Sasebo, Japan and was a radio operator aboard the AF-55 Aludra Supply Ship.
Mr. Unterkircher became a Ham Radio operator, communicating and receiving QSL cards from over three hundred countries. Ham Radio visitors from all over the world were entertained by Warren and Jeanne. Warren earned the highest license and the initials W8WU, very rare and desirable in that hobby.
In 1954, Warren opened the Warren's Texaco Station which he owned and operated until 1987. He also owned and operated the A & W Root Beer stand. In later years, Warren drove charter bus for Shoup/Cardinal Buslines out of Middlebury, IN, until his retirement in 1995. He was known by many as “Dr. DOS” as he was very gifted in computers and spent many years fixing them for others. He was a member of the Branch County Computer Club. Warren was a life member of the Bronson VFW and belonged to the Bronson American Legion for 60 years.
Warren is survived by his wife Jeanne; daughter and son-in-law Linda (John) Sellman of Grand Rapids; grandchildren Lana, Erin and Brenna Sellman. He was preceded in death by brothers John and Homer Unterkircher; sisters Erma Botzner, Helen Koranda and Eithel Ash.
Memorials may be directed to the Branch County Amateur Radio Club, Bronson American Legion or the Friends of the Bronson Public Library. www.dutcherfh.com.