Ishpeming – Kevin J. Achatz, age 58, of 310 W. Division St., Ishpeming passed away at 9:06am on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in the Bell Hospital Emergency Room following an apparent heart attack.

Kevin was born to Fred and Betty (Hainley) Achatz on Sept. 12, 1955 in Detroit, MI.  He grew up in Detroit and attended Assumption Grotto Elementary School and Nativity and Denby High Schools, graduating from Denby in 1973.  Kevin's parents and siblings moved to the U.P. in 1976, with Kevin following in 1977, where he met his wife, Debbie.

Kevin was a Licensed Master Plumber in the State of Michigan, learning the trade from his father, Fred, alongside his brothers, Fred and Paul, and sister Ruth, also Licensed Master Plumbers.  Kevin took over the family business, Achatz and Family Plumbing and Heating in 1992, upon his father's retirement.

Kevin loved to make people laugh.  He always had a new joke, or an old one that was even funnier when he told it again.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary.  His mother's pumpkin pie was his favorite, and he received one from her on his birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any other day he could talk her into making one.  Kevin loved his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, always looking forward to their visits.  Kevin was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Kevin is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Debbie of Ishpeming; 3 children – Christopher Achatz of KY, Heather (Kevin) Berry, and Shannon Garza both of the Detroit area; parents Fred & Betty Achatz of Ishpeming; brothers – Frederick (Diane) Achatz of PA, Paul Achatz of Iron Mountain and Martin (Beth) Achatz of Ishpeming; sisters – Ruth, Beverly, Sally and Rosemarie Achatz all of Ishpeming and Mary (Brad) Wegrzyn of Clearfield, UT, grandchildren – Angelita, Nicholas, Max, Dominique, Joseph, Jacqueline, Marissa, Anthony, Jason, Alex, Dennis and Abigail, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents – Edgar and Bessie Hainley and Theodore and Helen Achatz.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 3 – 5pm on Monday, May 12, 2014 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home.  A memorial service will be celebrated at 5:00pm on Monday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with Pastor Daniel McGrath to officiate.  A fellowship time and meal will be served following the service at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 270 US 41 E., Negaunee Twp., MI.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .