Raymond Gerald Kerlikowske

Raymond G. Kerlikowske, 75, of St. Joseph, after a short illness, entered into the presence of the Lord, on Tuesday evening, May 13, 2008, at Lakeland General Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2008, at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd; St. Joseph, with Rev. Dan Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may meet with the family from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday evening, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Zion Evangelical Church of Christ or to Animal Humane Society on Crystal Ave. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ray was born March 1, 1933, in St. Joseph to Erwin & Marie (Geisler) Kerlikowske. He has lived his entire 75 years in the area. Ray worked for Modern Plastics and then joined the St. Joseph School System where he was a Custodian from which he retired in the 1990’s. Ray was a member of the Benton Harbor Moose Lodge. He loved to fish, especially along the St. Joseph River. He also loved to travel when he could. In 1979, he traveled to Israel with his cousin and family and was especially moved by that trip and what he saw. He traveled a great deal in the United States, especially in the West and in February of 2007, he was able to cruise the Hawaiian Islands and really enjoyed himself. Ray is survived by his sister, Barbara (Philip) Lomonaco; nephew, David Lomonaco; and by his special buddy, his cat, Willie. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his baby brother, Donald.