Emerson Balfour Ohl

(Lansing) Emerson Balfour Ohl left to meet his Lord and Savior on December 23, 2006. He was born on September 12, 1920 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the Late Norman and Ferne (Balfour) Ohl. Emerson was married to the late Dorothy (Keller) Ohl on August 11, 1951, at Griggs Street Evangelical United Brethren Church in Grand Rapids. Emerson and his beloved wife lived in various communities before finally settling in Lansing. He was a WWII veteran and a member of the amphibious FROGS stationed in Pearl Harbor. Emerson graduated from Western Michigan [College] University with a degree in Accounting and Economics. Following his education, he had a long career with Michigan Bell Telephone Co. serving in various positions and communities. While with the Bell Systems, he worked closely with the Governors Office, The State Legislature, and various Public Service Commissions. In 1979, he "retired" from the Bell Systems to work for the City of Lansing as the Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Projects Emerson was instrumental in bringing to the City of Lansing included One Michigan Avenue, the Radisson Hotel and the Lansing Convention Center. While EDC Director, he oversaw the successful issuance of tax-exempt securities totaling over 500 million dollars. In 1994, Emerson once again "retired" to join Granger Construction and later the Granger Group of Companies. While with Granger, he was a driving force in the completion of the new State of Michigan House of Representatives Office Building. Emerson's most recent business venture was with the Mid-Michigan Construction Alliance. He had worked closely on several different projects including the expansions of Sparrow Health System and Ingham Regional Medical Center. Even though he was a dedicated and accomplished businessman, Emerson took the greatest pride in his family. Emerson is survived by his seven children -- Jennifer (Michael) Lee of DeWitt, MI, Kevin (Susan) Ohl of Aurora, IL, Dana (Linda) Ohl of Ann Arbor, MI, Lynnea (John) Harding of Fenton, MI, Cameron Ohl of San Francisco, CA, Tracey (James) O'Kane of Poland, OH, Colin Eric Ohl of Merrill, MI; fifteen grandchildren -- Monica, Kevin, Erica, Alison, Nicholas, Aaron, Sydney, Jay (Lindsey), Rashelle, Mackenzie, Jordan, Lauren, Sara, Connor, and Ryan. Emerson will also be missed by close family friends, Joseph and Tempest Petovello of Lansing and Timothy J. Zlomak of Merrill, MI. Visitations will take place at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, located at 325 W. Washtenaw on Wednesday, December 27 and Thursday, December 28 at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will take place on Friday, December 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with The Rev. Dr. Gary Autry, of The People's Church of East Lansing officiating. Donations may be made in Emerson's name to Ingham Regional Medical Center Foundation or the Emerson and Dorothy Ohl Endowed Scholarship Fund at Michigan State University