Walter F. Heritz

Walter F. Heritz, 79, of Benton Harbor, went to meet his Lord and Savior July 26, 2008 after a short illness. Friends may call from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Wednesday, July 30, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Road St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service for Walt will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, July 31 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord, St. Joseph. Officiating will be Pastor Ronald Freier. Entombment will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to sign the guestbook or share a memory on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Walt, as he was known, was born July 21, 1929 in Benton Harbor to Natalie and Henry Heritz. When he was only 16 yrs old, he acquired the responsibly of his family’s farm. From then until his death he was a successful and well known farmer in the community. On May 30, 1959, he married Evelyn Dorothy Rupp (Evie). They were members together in Farm Bureau for over 50 years where they first met. For 45 years of dedicated and loving marriage, they built the family farm raising fruits and vegetables. Walt will be remembered by his many customers who purchased the asparagus, blueberries and pumpkins that he and Evie raised on their farm and sold from their barn on Napier near Blue Creek Road. The Heritz farm was also well known for its grapes, having been a Welch grower for over 50 years. Walt served in the Unites Sates Army for 2 years. From then on he continued to serve his community by participating in many organizations including over 20 years on the Benton Harbor Planning Commission, Berrien County Planning Commission, Twin C.A.T.S., and the Welch Board. The church was an important part of Walt’s life and his life together with Evie. Together they were long time members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Joseph where Walt was Church Elder. He and Evie and were also supporters of Michigan Lutheran High School where Walt was a frequent spectator at various sporting events, concerts, and other activities. Walt was nearly as passionate about his desire to travel as he was of perfection on his farm. He was able to see many parts of the world including recent trips to Israel, China, South America and just this spring, Europe. Walt was preceded in death by Evelyn on May 13, 2004. He is survived by Kim (Mike) Williams of Kalamazoo MI and Mike (Peggy) Heritz of Granger IN. He is also survived by his grandchildren Robert, Matthew, Laura, and Jennifer Heritz also of Granger, who were the light of his life. Despite the hard work and time demanded by farming, he found time to cheer them on at baseball, softball and basketball games, play cards and board games, and in the winter, sled down hills at the farm. Walt is also survived by a brother Henry (Jeanette) Heritz of Little Rock AK; Three Sisters Ruth (Harold) Stubault of Benton Harbor, Ellen Briney of Niles, Henrietta (Spike) Bruce of Berrien Center. In addition, he had many nephews, nieces and extended family who remember happy family times on the farm.