John B. Sciortino

John B. Sciortino, Sr., 86, of St. Joseph, passed away Tuesday morning, January 2, 2008, at Caretel Inns of Royalton in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday evening, January 11, 2008, at 7:30 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Paul Koehneke officiating. Burial will private. Visitation with the family will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 P.M., Friday, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made either to Peace Lutheran Church or to Alzheimer’s Research. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. John was born June 9, 1921, in Benton Harbor. He was one of six children born to Thomas and Frances Sciortino. He married Renata Renas on February 7, 1948. Together they had two sons, John, Jr. and David. John proudly served his country during WWII, serving in the 11th Armored Division in Europe. John retired as a truck driver from Clark Equipment after 36 years of service. He was an avid motorcyclist. John loved gardening and was particularly proud of his rose garden and was a member of the Southwest Michigan Rose Society. John enjoyed working with his hands and was always eager to attempt home-improvement remodeling projects. John loved to visit with friends at local restaurants including Bob Evans, Ponderosa, McDonalds, and was a forty year patron at Santonellos Glenlord Pizzaria. For the past 6 years, he was a daily patron at Thorton’s Home Town Cafe in downtown St. Joseph. John is survived by his wife Renata; sons, John (Deborah) Sciortino, Jr. of Mesa, AZ and David (Carol) Sciortino of Westmont, IL; five grandchildren, Kristen, Steven (Marcella), Maria, Daniel, and Ryan (Sara) Sciortino; two great-daughters, Claire & Betsy Sciortino; and by his five siblings, Mary Sikes of St. Petersburg, FL, Jeanette Bautista of Burbank, CA, Anthony Sciortino of Dallas, TX, Thomas Sciortino of Arroya Grande, CA and Diana Hadlow of Watervliet; and numerous nieces & nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents.