Richard A. Kelm

Richard A. Kelm, 75, of St. Joseph, passed away on February 21, 2008 at Lakeland Hospital St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd; St. Joseph, with Pastor Anthony Fields officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may meet with the family from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made out to the family. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Richard Kelm was born on July 26, 1932 in Benton Harbor to Alvina and Leopold Kelm. Richard married his late wife, Jessie on January 20, 1951. They raised 2 sons and 3 daughters. He went on to open Kelms Bakery in Stevensville with his late wife, Jessie. Richard’s specialty was baking breads and cheesecakes. Richard was owner and baker until 1973. Mr. Kelm adored his grandkids and looked forward to baby sitting them. He liked to hunt and fish and play cards. A favorite past time would be to sit at the picnic table and enjoy his garden. Richard is survived by his mother, Alvina Wagner; his children, Carol Edwards of Baroda, David Kelm of Benton Harbor, Dale Kelm of Jackson, MS, Audrey (Doug) Smith of Whitney Point, NY, Barbara (Lee) French of Stevensville; grandchildren, Jerry (Angie) Crowder, Adrienne (Rob) Young, Jennifer Smith, Ryan (Samantha) Kelm, Matthew Kelm, Sara and Sam French; great-grandchildren, Justin and Faith Crowder; his brother Leroy (Marion) Kelm and his sister, Connie (Charlie) Phillips; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jessie in 2001 and his father Leopold in 1993.