Mary Koroch

Mary Koroch, 83, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday March 26, 2008, at Royalton Manor. Visitation with the family will be held at 5:00 to 7:00 Friday at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Celebration of her life Service will take place on Saturday March 29, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the First Church of God, St. Joseph, officiated by Rev. Bob Confer Burial at North Shore Memory Gardens will immediately follow. Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of God or to Hospice at Home, St. Joseph. Those wishing to send a condolence message online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mary was born April 5, 1924 in Stamford, Texas. After moving to Michigan, she married Ken Koroch, and together they built a life and raised a family on the Koroch farm in Spinks Corners. They spent 51 years together before her beloved husband passed away in 2001. Mary also spent many years working in bookkeeping at the Sears store, first in downtown Benton Harbor and then at the Orchards Mall. Upon retirement from Sears, she worked as a volunteer in the gift shop at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Post 1137. One of ten children, Mary always loved to be with family and friends. She frequently surprised her children and grandchildren with unique gifts, and she loved to bake. The holidays were always special to her because she could bring her two loves together – giving gifts and making candy for everyone. The family will cherish the hundreds of recipes she left for them. Mary is survived by her two sons, Thomas Koroch, and his wife Cindi of South Bend; and Greg Koroch, and his wife Deborah of St. Joseph; as well as grandsons Justin Koroch, and Ryan Reffitt and his wife Melissa; and granddaughter Nicole Koroch. She is survived by three brothers, A.D. Adams, Buchanan; Ed Speckine, Buchanan; Charles “Sonny” Speckine, Galien; and a sister, Marie (Adams) Beatty of Grand Island, Nebraska. She was preceded in death by her parents Velmer and Nora Speckine, and by brothers Jim Adams, Bill Speckine, Frank Speckine, and Lonnie Speckine, and sister Pat (Speckine) Zelasko.