Herbert R. Clements

Herbert Russell Clements, 97, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at Hanson Hospice Center – Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 11 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with  Pastor David Haase, officiating. Military Rites will be performed by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. A private burial will take place at Keeler Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 9 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to North Berrien Military Rites. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Herbert was born on September 7, 1919 in Benton Harbor in a house at the top of Colfax Hill to Herbert & Anna (Collins) Clements. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1939. On July 29, 1943, Herbert married the love of his life, Joyce Irene Gould, in Tucson, AZ. Herbert proudly served our country during WWII in the United States Army Air Corp where he was the navigator for the B-24 Pistol Packin Mama. Herbert’s plane was shot down and crashed over Yugoslavia behind enemy lines. After bailing out, he had to avoid capture and with the help of local sympathizers was able to find his way back to friendly forces. Later in the war,  he met Winston Churchill and Major Tito. Upon returning back to Michigan, he worked for Whirlpool Corp., retiring after 36 years as a manager for production control in Benton Harbor and Findlay, OH. He also worked with his father-in-law, Melvin Gould, building many homes in the Fairplain area. Herbert was the founder of the Management Club for Whirpool, the past president of the Babe Ruth League in Benton Harbor and an avid volunteer for the little league baseball teams where he built the scoreboard and dugouts. Herbert and Joyce enjoyed watching their personally owned horses racing at Raceway Park in Toledo, OH and competing at various county fairs where they would dance to the Polka after the races.  Herbert was a wonderful man and will be missed dearly by all. Herbert is survived by his loving wife of nearly 74 years, Joyce; children, David Clements, Bullhead City, AZ & Paula (David) Howley, Coloma, MI; grandchildren, Lance Howley, St Louis, MO; Shawn (Kitra) Howley, Zeeland, MI; Nicole (Bob) Stenman, Saugatuck, MI; Jason (Brenda) Howley, Fort Huachuca, AZ; Andrew Howley, Madison Heights, MI; Thomas Clements, Lafayette, LA;  & Cheri (Clements) Burkhard, Buchanan MI; thirteen great-grandchildren; Lauren, Erik, Nathan, Madeline, Isabel, Tiffany, Angel, Justice, Naomi, Shauna, Jessica, Cody, Kayla.. There are also 6 great- great-grandchildren. Nieces and nephews include Jim (Lynn) Young, Bill (Holly) Young, Mark (Chris) Young, Deb (Brian) Tabor, John (Lori) Young, Jerry (Jane) Clements, Jeffrey (Carol) Clements, Richard Clements, Scott (Roseann) Clements, Ann (Mark) Schuck, Paul (Sheila) Clements, & Roger Clements  He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert & Anna; and siblings, Arnold, Richard Paul, & Raymond Clements and their spouses, sister-in-law Gloria (Gould) Young and spouse, and niece Jaqueline (Clements) Moon.