George Nicholas Hentges, Jr.

      George Nicholas "Nick" Hentges Jr., age 69, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
      Nick was born on December 14, 1954, in Battle Creek, MI, to George Nicholas Hentges Sr and Emilia Helena Augusta Sachau. On December 19, 1986, he married the love of his life, Alice Jean Sykes, at the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Battle Creek. Together, they shared 37 beautiful years of marriage, filled with love, laughter, and countless memories.
       A lifelong resident of Michigan, Nick’s roots ran deep in Battle Creek, where he was raised and attended Battle Creek Central High School. Though he spent some time in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, his heart always led him back home. In 1976, Nick began a long and dedicated career at Keyes-Davis Company in Springfield, MI, where he worked for 44 years until his retirement in 2020. In 1982, he completed his apprenticeship as a tool and die maker through Kellogg Community College, a milestone that marked his advancement to company foreman—a role in which he excelled.
      Nick was a man who lived life with a sense of adventure and a heart full of kindness. He found pure joy in the open road, especially on his beloved motorcycle. The unmistakable rumble of his Harley Davidson was a familiar sound to his children, who would race down the driveway, eager for a ride with their dad. Sometimes one child would sit up front while another held on from the back, sharing in the thrill together. Those rides etched memories into their hearts that they will carry with them forever. Known by many as a "big teddy bear," Nick’s imposing presence was softened by his gentle spirit. He was the kind of person who would go out of his way to help a stranger, pull someone out of a ditch, or lend a hand to friends and family whenever they needed him. His selflessness and generosity knew no bounds, and his warmth touched the lives of everyone he met. 
     Nick is survived by his devoted wife, Alice; his sons: Chris Hentges and Michael (Brittaney) Hentges of Battle Creek; his daughters: Nicole (Michael) Eaton of DeWitt, MI, Heather (Ben) Ploehn of Battle Creek, and Samantha Hentges of DeWitt, MI; and his beloved grandchildren: Preston Boarts and Mackenzie Eaton. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Hentges of Battle Creek, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Susan Sayles, and his brother-in-law David Stewart.
      There will be a funeral procession on September 12th, 2024. We will be meeting in the Urbandale Plaza at 11 a.m. Please ride your motorcycle if you have one. At 11:30 a.m., we will all ride out to Floral Memorial Gardens for a funeral from 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. We will then ride out to Eagles for a celebration of life from 2 p.m.-7 p.m., and food will be provided. If you would like drinks, you can purchase them at the bar. Nick’s legacy of kindness, love, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His family and friends will forever remember the joy he brought into their lives and the impact he made on those around him.
Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, Michigan.