John Conrad Festa

John Conrad Festa, 91, of Stevensville, passed away Tuesday morning, June 3, 2008, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M., Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Stevensville First United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road, in Stevensville, with Rev. Gordy Barry officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 7:00, Thursday evening, June 5, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. John was born September 1, 1916, in LaSalle, Illinois. He was one of six children born to John C. and Gertrude Festa. John was a member of the St. Joseph Kiwanis Club as well as the Economic Club of Southwest Michigan. He was “a life-long student” who always enjoyed researching and learning all he could. He enjoyed outdoor sports particularly bike riding. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; children, Burton C. Festa (Freya) of California, John A. (Karen) Festa of Little Rock, AR; daughter, Camille Sandel of Stevensville; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and by his sister, Nell Egglestone, FL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Festa; son, Peter Gioia; and by his siblings, Catherine Jordon, Daniel A. Festa, Nicholas W. Festa, and Mary Cilla.