The man believed to be the oldest in Germany has died at the age of 110, DPA reported, BTA reported.
Karl Heidele died on Saturday night, according to a statement released yesterday by the municipality of Kernen near the city of Stuttgart.
Born on September 2, 1915, Heidele lived through the great upheavals of the 20th century – from imperial Germany through Nazism, two world wars, the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the advent of the digital age, the DPA reports.
After studying to be a mechanic and serving in World War II, he returned to his hometown of Stetten, now part of Kernen, in 1948. There, Heidle took over the family business and devoted himself to his family and farming.
Heidle remains active despite his advancing age. Even now, almost 100 years old, he continues to work in his vineyards and is interested in what is happening in Germany and around the world every day.
“His energy, modesty and wonderful sense of humor will be remembered by many,“ the municipality said in a statement.
Heidel was declared the oldest man in Germany by Thomas Breining of the University Hospital in Ulm, who works for the Gerontological Research Group - the international institution that certifies the ages of centenarians who are over 110 years old.
According to the group, the oldest woman born in Germany is 113-year-old Ilse Meingast, who lives in the United States.