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Thomas M. Ahearn Sr.
ST. JOSEPH -- Thomas M. Ahearn Sr., 55, of St. Joseph, a loving husband, father and grandfather, died Saturday, July 31, 2004, in Southern Indiana in a motorcycle accident.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road, Stevensville, with the Rev. B. Gordon Barry officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, American Cancer Society and Disabled Veterans Association. Friends wishing to send a condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Tom was born on Dec. 24, 1948, in Muskegon, Mich., to Robert and Christine (Kammers) Ahearn. He grew up in Muskegon, where he attended school. He graduated with a business degree from Grand Valley State University. Tom served his country during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart.
He was moved to the Twin City area by J.C. Penney's to close the Benton Harbor store and open the Orchards Mall store in 1979. He also owned Subway Restaurant in the area for 15 years and was president of Ahearn Investments Inc. He owned real estate in the area and recently was a partner in Bartering Partners.
On July 13, 1985, Tom married Cynthia Washburn at the Stevensville United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy; son, Thomas (Renee) Ahearn of Indianapolis; daughter, Tiffany (Kevin) McCrary of Muskegon; four grandchildren -- Kevin, Kayligh, Nolan and Andrew; his mother, Christine Ahearn of Muskegon; two sisters -- Regina Ahearn of Muskegon and Patricia Umlor of Fruitport, Mich.; two brothers -- Robert Ahearn of Muskegon and Mike Ahearn of Hawaii; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, JoAnn and Richard Washburn. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; and a sister, Kathleen Kandalec.
Tom loved life and having fun and always was ready for a good adventure.
Clyde J. Kirby
STEVENSVILLE -- Clyde J. Kirby, 78, of Stevensville passed away Saturday, July 17, 2004, at Jordan's Nursing Home, Bridgman.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, at Dey-Florin Chapel, Florin Funeral Service, St. Joseph, with the Rev. James Coffman officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Lincoln Township Cemetery, Stevensville. Memorial Donations may be made to Jordan's Nursing Home in Bridgman.
Clyde was born on Dec. 11, 1925, in Arkansas, to George and Ethel (Brockwell) Kirby. He moved to the area in 1949. On Jan. 2, 1970, he married Loretta (Whitaker) Kirby. He worked for Superior Steel for 22 years before retiring in 1985. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include a son, Jerry Kirby; two daughters -- Carol Cannady and Patricia West; two stepsons -- Rick Kirby and Jim Kirby; three stepdaughters -- Vonda Pope, Karin Bennett and Brenda Taylor; five brothers -- Floyd Kirby, J.D. Kirby, Terrel Ray Kirby, Wilborn Kirby and Franklin Kirby; two sisters -- Velma Prince and Loletta Mason; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ronnie Kirby; and some brothers and sisters.
Donald D. Pearson
DOWAGIAC - Donald D. Pearson, 82, of Dowagiac passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 17, 2004, at Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre, Benton Harbor.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, at Dey-Florin Chapel, Florin Funeral Service, St. Joseph, where visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Coloma Cemetery, with military rites. Memorial donations may be made to Lory's Place or South Haven Area Hospice.
Donald was born on June 12, 1922, in Chicago to Ernest and Margaret (Erickson) Pearson. He lived at Dewey Lake for more than 35 years.
He retired from the United States Air Force after a distinguished service spanning more than 20 years. He was a pilot who flew P-47s and P-51s in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. During his Air Force career, he flew multiple missions including fighter, bomber, tanker and training missions. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as an equipment technician with the University of Michigan where he monitored weather information at the Cook and Palisades nuclear plants. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 162, Coloma, and the VFW Post 1137, Benton Harbor.
Survivors include a son, Douglas (Ellen) Pearson of Peachtree City, Ga.; two daughters -- Evelyn (Robert) Seekamp of Portage, Mich., and Dyanna Pearson of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren -- Lori, Sheri, Bob, Amy, Stephanie, Meghan, Marc and Bryan; and five great-grandchildren.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Helen B. Pearson; and his brother, Richard Pearson.
Raymond E. Wutzke
STEVENSVILLE -- Raymond E. Wutzke, 79, of Stevensville died Friday, July 16, 2004, at The University of Chicago Hospital in Chicago.
A private Celebration of Life Service will be held at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan or Animal Aid. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ray was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Stevensville, to Adolph and Olga (Rochau) Wutzke. He served his country in the Merchant Marines and the Army. On December 12, 1953, he married the former Helyn Michalski in Stevensville. In 1961, Ray opened Lakeshore Lanes in Stevensville which he had owned and operated ever since. Ray was a member of the Southwest Michigan Car Collectors. He loved working on and showing his classic cars. He was a member of Stevensville American Legion Post 568, Benton Harbor Elks 544, and the Royal Order of the Moose 1570 in Benton Harbor.
Ray is survived by his wife, Helyn; his son, Kirk (Janice) Wutzke of Stevensville; his sister, Arlene (Ken) Walski of Comstock Park, Mich.; his brother, Henry J. (Darlene "Tag") Wutzke of Stevensville; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Lydia Franks.
Paul Axel Johnson
BENTON HARBOR -- Paul Axel Johnson, 76, of the House of David, Benton Harbor, passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2004.
There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 2, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Randy Doyle officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor. There will be a visitation one hour before the service at the funeral home. Guests are invited to sign the guestbook on line at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Paul was born to Axel and Henny (Erickson) Johnson on Aug. 29, 1927, in Seattle. He attended the University of Washington and received a degree in Horticulture. He served his country in the United States Army. He lived at the House of David for 52 years; he was the Director of the House of David Trailer Park Campgrounds, managed the House of David Apple Orchards & Cider Mill for many years and was secretary of the House of David. He was a member of the Michigan Beekeepers Association. Paul married Lily Robertson on May 2, 1967.
He is survived by his sister, Doris (Donald) Underwood of Mesa, Ariz.; and his brother, Glen (Barbara) Johnson of San Antonio, Texas; and his brother-in-law, Willie Robertson of the House of David.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lily, on May 11, 2001.
Deborah Lynn Kalin
STEVENSVILLE -- Deborah Lynn Kalin, 38, of Stevensville passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2004.
Private family service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, where she was a member. Arrangements are entrusted to Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.
Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church.
Debbie was born on May 25, 1966, in Benton Harbor, to Dave and Doris Rindfield.
She was a graduate of St. Joseph High School.
She is survived by her husband, Greg of Stevensville; a son, Paul Andrew Bishop of Stevensville; two daughters -- Ashley Kalin at home and Jessica Ransom of Stevensville; a granddaughter, Rory Ransom; her parents, Dave and Doris Rindfield of St. Joseph; a sister, Susan Rindfield of Coloma; and her mother and father-in-law, Glen and Joan Kalin Sr. of St. Joseph.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Bishop.
Edward D. 'Ed' Zielke
BENTON HARBOR -- Edward D. "Ed" Zielke, 84, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at Whitcomb Tower, St. Joseph, after a brief illness.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville, with graveside military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post 362, VFW Post 1137, Benton Harbor, and VFW Post 6803, Watervliet. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchin ger.com.
Mr. Zielke was born Aug. 21, 1919, in Detroit. He served his country in the U.S. Army stationed in the Philippines during World War II.
After returning from the service he farmed in Bainbridge Township for more than 50 years. Ed also worked at Whirlpool in St. Joseph, retiring after 35 years of employment.
On Aug. 31, 1940, he married the former Ada Polashak in Sodus. Ed was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Coloma American Legion Post 362, and the Whirlpool Old Timers.
He enjoyed Lake Michigan, fishing, and walking on the St. Joseph piers.
Ed and Ada enjoyed wintering for 20 years at Fort Myers, Fla.
Mr. Zielke was the loving husband of Ada; the beloved father of Sharon (Chuck) Dewey, Patricia (Harry) Jaeger, Sandra (George) Stoltz, and Daniel E. Zielke. He was the cherished grandfather of Raegon Gilson, the Rev. Mark (Laura) Gilson, Phillip (Diane) Jaeger, Paul (Debbie) Jaeger, Karen (Frank) Bock, Charlotte (Phillip) Baham, Harry Jaeger, Dina (George) Molter, Gregory Dewey, Gavin Dewey, and Jason Dewey. He will also be missed by his 14 great-grandchildren, brother Robert Zielke, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Hartwig; and brothers, Albert, Nathaniel and Jay Zielke.
