Mr. Sherman "Sherm" Eugene Strasser, formerly of St. Joseph, went to be with God on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Boulder Creek Assisted Living Center in Rockford, Michigan.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 9th at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. A graveside service will immediately follow at Watervliet City Cemetery. Donations may be made to the DAV in his memory. Those wishing to leave a message for the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Mr. Strasser was born in Coloma, Michigan on November 6, 1925. He was one of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Strasser. He joined the U.S. Army on November 6, 1943. He served with the 75th Infantry Division, 291 Infantry Regiment during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and France. Mr. Strasser was wounded in battle near Colmar, France in February 1945. While recuperating from battle wounds he was a patient in an army hospital near Worcester, England. There he met and married Miss Constance Jones in Worcester, England in March of 1946. He returned to the United States in May 1946 and Mrs. Strasser joined him in June of 1946. While serving in the army, Mr. Strasser received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart among others. Later in life he was also recognized by the government of France for his service in World War II, and was presented with the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest medal bestowed by France. Upon receiving the award Mr. Strasser said: "It means it's finally over with," he said of getting the medal. "I never expected to receive this but I'm very appreciative. I will honor it to the best of my ability. I received the letter last October that I had been awarded it and I called the French consulate to see if it was really true or if someone was pulling  my leg. I couldn't believe it."

Mr. Strasser fathered five children between 1947 and 1961. His first-born son, Kenneth was lost to polio as a child in 1952. Mr. Strasser is well remembered as a loving father and husband. His interests included many do it yourself projects, gardening, and he enjoyed RV camping. He also created numerous English flower gardens for his wife over the years. He lived his whole life in southwest Michigan and in later years spent winters in Hudson, Fla. Mr. Strasser was employed in the electronics industry. He spent much of his work life at Heath Company, VM Corporation and Wolverine Metal Stamping in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, where he retired in 1987.

Mr. Strasser placed tremendous value in personal initiative and in education. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to take advantage of the benefits that education can bring. He is also remembered for the great pride he had in the accomplishments and successes of his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Strasser is survived by his children; Alan (Linda) Strasser of Howell, Mich; Dennis Strasser of Kalamazoo; Richard (Joan) Strasser of Benton Harbor; and Mrs. Heidi (Anthony) Dubois of Rockford, Mich. Mr. Strasser is also survived by his six grandchildren,  Alison Strasser of Kalamazoo, Lt. Lucas Strasser, U.S. Navy of Jacksonville, Fla., Dustin Strasser of Benton Harbor, Whitney Strasser of Benton Harbor, and Mitchell and Claire Dubois of Rockford. Mr. Strasser also had over fifty nieces and nephews in the United States and England.