Gregg Alexander Sonntag

Gregg Alexander Sonntag Gregg Alexander “Moose” Sonntag passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, surrounded by his family at home. He was born on January 21, 1948, in Geneva, IL and grew up in Wheaton, IL as the third oldest of six children. He was affectionately nicknamed Moose by one of his elementary teachers. The name fit so well that family and friends still call him that. Gregg’s parents had a cottage on Brandywine Lake in Gobles, and as often as possible, the family would spend weekends in Michigan. Gregg loved to waterski, fish, and sometimes look for mischief while hanging out with friends on those visits. In general, he was a fun-loving rambunctious kid, who just couldn’t resist “toeing the line” from time to time. While working concrete construction, Gregg met his boss’s niece Gretchen – his wife-to-be – in 1970. On April 22, 1972, the two became one and remained so for almost 52 years. They started out in Wheaton, but in 1976 decided to strike out on their own. With Gregg’s fond memories of the Gobles’ area, moving to Michigan was an obvious choice. They bought a chunk of land and settled down to start a new life. Gregg worked the automotive assembly line at Pullman Industries for a few years until he found work in the concrete construction trade again. Between 1976 and 1978, both Gregg and Gretchen became Christians. Hearts were changed and the decision to start a family moved to the forefront. In 1981, their son Peter Gregg was born. Within a year after that, they decided to become foster parents, and through that, eventually adopted their sons Joe and Jim. With three little boys aged only months apart, chaotic fun became the norm and love was in his heart. When Gregg and Gretchen made the decision to homeschool their children, life was good all the way around – until Gregg had a massive heart attack in 1988. Doctors said he wouldn’t live, but God had a different plan for this moose of a man. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Over a period of 36 years, he faced numerous health challenges starting with the need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), which required multiple replacements. His health journey included a significant stroke, chronic back pain likely due to his work, hip replacements, a femur fracture due to a fall, prostate cancer, a spiral fracture in his arm from another fall, and septic shock from a rare bacterial lung infection. Amid these conditions, his heart health progressively deteriorated, leading to congestive heart failure that significantly reduced his activity levels and strength. When Gregg was younger and healthy, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, rooting for the Chicago Bears, hunting, fishing, and motocross – some riding, but more so watching his younger brother ride. As he aged, he was content to watch all those activities on TV with the exception of the Bears, who continually disappointed him. In spite of all that Gregg endured, in every situation and season, his confidence and faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ remained strong, and he was always “. . . prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks (you) to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (I Peter 3:15b) Gregg’s hope was this: “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (I John 1:12-13) And if Gregg was alive today, he would tell you that hope can be yours as well. Surviving Gregg are his wife Gretchen; three children, Peter (Monique) Sonntag of Allegan, Joseph (Anna) Sonntag of Galesburg, and Jim (Amanda) Sonntag of Otsego; five grandchildren – Merissa Thorpe, Keelee, Sophie, and Autumn Sonntag, and Emma Sonntag; three great grandchildren – Elijah Sonntag, and Raelynn and Taiven Thorpe; four siblings, Al (Diane) Sonntag of Rogersville, MO, Meredith Piper of Aurora, IL, Marcy (Jim) Becker of Winfield, IL, and Glenn (Deanna) Sonntag of Allegan, MI, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Sonntag, and George’s second wife, Margie Sonntag; brother Gary Sonntag, and nephew Joel Piper. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association. The family invites close friends and family to join them for an open house style Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sonntag's home, 09772 35th Street in Gobles, MI.

Gregg Alexander Sonntag

January 21, 1948 - February 28, 2024