Harold Wesner

Harold “Rip” Wesner, 95, of St. Joseph, entered Eternal Life in Heaven on Friday, August 28, 2009. Harold was born September 19, 1913 in St. Joseph to William and Mary (Ruppel) Wesner. He was an original “Sand Rabbit” who loved Lake Michigan. In 1937 in South Bend, he married Helen Mensinger and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage until her death July 24, 1997. Friends may visit with the family at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, on Monday, August 31, from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Graveside services will follow immediately at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph with Rev. Noah Headrick & Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum of Grace Lutheran Church officiating. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In 1945, Harold and his wife Helen, were privileged to be founding members of Grace Lutheran Church. They loved their Church and remained faithful members for the rest of their lives. Rip was employed at the News-Palladium/Herald Palladium in the Composing Room for almost 50 years, holding various positions, retiring in 1978. In his younger days he was an avid bowler, and in 1934 at the age of 21, he was the first to bowl a 300 game at the Temple Alleys in St. Joseph. He was inducted into the Blossomland Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2005. Harold loved his family: daughters Carol L. Wesner of Berrien Springs and Mary Ann Wesner of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Robert Kish, Jr. (Sibyl) of St. Joseph and Kathleen Rice of Cumming, GA; nine great-grandchildren, Brad (Kristin), Kyle, Jessica and Maria Kish, Michael (Cherita), Tyler, Natalia, Katia, and Elena Rice; brothers, Ervin (Helen) Wesner of St. Joseph, William (Edna) Wesner of Lexington, KY; sister Hilda (Albert) Ratcliff of Hoffman Estates, IL; and brother-in-law, Norbert Henkelman of St. Joseph. In addition to his wife, Helen, he was also preceded in death by brothers Walter and Charles Wesner and sisters, Lydia Siewert, Ruth Knebel and Erna Henkelman. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph.