Walter George Weinkauf

Walter G. Weinkauf Jr., 72, of Alpena passed away surrounded by his family on August 17, 2022. Walter was born on September 2, 1949 to the late Walter Sr. and Theresa (Kuchinski) Weinkauf. On July 28, 1972, Walter married Susan Lewandowski at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alpena. Together they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage if it were not for Susan’s passing in January 2022.

Walter graduated from Alpena High School in 1967. He attended Alpena Community College and Michigan State University. After college, Walter worked with his father and brother in the family plumbing business. He received his Master Plumber license on July 11, 1974. Walter served as Vice President of Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating, building it into a thriving business alongside his father and siblings. He shared his extensive knowledge of the trade, teaching his brothers and others along the way. As a father, it was most important to Walter to teach his daughter Jennifer how to be strong, hardworking and self-reliant. There were many times over the years where he taught her to fix her car and furnace over the phone, even installing faucets together in her first home.

Walter enjoyed Michigan State football, hunting in the U.P., his wife’s delicious cooking, spending time with his family, and meowing to his daughter’s cat Bentley. He loved watching car shows on tv and was an avid fan of classic muscle cars. His sense of humor was clever and dry, and he always had a funny saying or anecdote to share. Walter endured 14 years with cancer, using his humor and stubborn nature in a tenacious fight to live to the very end.

Surviving are his beloved daughter, Jennifer of Evanston, IL; five brothers and three sisters, Robert (Lise) Weinkauf, Douglas Weinkauf, Bill (Chawee) Weinkauf, Alan (Judy) Weinkauf, Karen Lankheet, Barbara Weinkauf, Steven (Tammy) Weinkauf, and Diane (Doug) Grishaber; sister-in-law Vicky Weinkauf as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Susan, brother Jerrold Weinkauf, and sister-in-law Connie Weinkauf.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Holy Cross Cemetery where Walter will be laid to rest on his birthday, Friday September 2, 2022 at 1pm with Father Michael Lingaur officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan or The Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago. Karpus Hunter & Ross Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.karpushuntercares.com.