Howard R. Delisle

Howard R. DeLisle, 94, long-time resident of Benton Harbor, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Brentwood Assisted Living in Niles. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 19, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Rev. Dr. Patricia Ramsden of 1st Presbyterian Church in Buchanan officiating. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service on Friday from 9:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorials contributions may be directed to Shriners Hospital for Children. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guestbook, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Howard was born on March 24, 1915 in Terre Haute, IN to Charles and Jenny (Houpt) DeLisle. He married Harriett (Tweedy) DeLisle on December 24, 1939 in Paris, IL. Together, they raised a daughter, Louann and a son, Tim Eugene. Howard worked most of his life in the manufacturing sector. After retiring from New Products Corporation where he served as a maintenance supervisor for nearly 20 years, he ran his own specialty welding business serving the Michiana tool and die industry. He served in Pearl Harbor from 1942 to 1945 as a Naval Civil Servant, Special Leadingman Shipfitter. There he was assigned to assist and manage crews repairing ships and submarines damaged in the December 7th attack. Howard was a member of the Benton Harbor Elks Club #544 and a Shriner with F& AM Lakeshore Lodge #298 in Benton Harbor for over 50 years. He served on the Benton Harbor School Board for 13 years, including a position as the board’s first treasurer. Howard belonged to the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor YMCA for 53 years where he played handball well into his 80s. He was a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan. He had a passion for designing and creating stained glass art, for faceting gem stones and was a voracious reader. Howard is survived by his daughter, Louann (Ned) Gardner of Buchanan; A sister, Harriett Benjamin of Terre Haute, IN; A granddaughter, Nicole (Steve) Johnson; A great- grandson, Jacob Exum; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Harriett (Tweedy) DeLisle; his son, Timothy Eugene DeLisle; Grandson, Erik Hollister Exum; Parents, Charles and Jenny; Sisters, Mary Helen and Martha May; and brothers, Charles Wilton, Eugene Louis, Oliver Thomas and Raymond Paul.