Richard W. Yops

Richard W Yops, 87, of Stevensville died on December 15, 2007, at home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 AM on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers, Stevensville with Rev. Gerald Schroer and Rev. Jonathon Kruschel officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday 10:30 AM at St. Paul’s. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Home of St. Joseph or American Legion Post 568. Those wishing to share a memory of sign the guest book may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Richard was born in Vohylnia, Russia on February 7, 1920. He came to Benton Harbor with his family in 1926. He was a tool and die maker for Ross Carrier & Continental Can Co. He retired in 1985. Richard married Roma Knefely on February 8, 1941. He fought in the European Theater of War in the Battle of the Bulge. After returning from the war, they purchased a farm in Stevensville. They raised their family there and lived there for 61 years. He was a member of Stevensville American Legion Post #568 & Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4952. Richard is survived by 3 daughters, Judy (George) Loeffler of Stevensville, Janice Brown of Bridgman and Kathleen (Ward) Sanden of Stevensville; 8 grandchildren, David (Wanda) Loeffler of Prescott Arizona, Todd (Stephanie) Sommer of Uxbridge Ontario, Laura (Tim) Ziebarth of St. Joseph, Kyle Sommer of Detroit, Shane (Jill) Brown of Three Oaks, Sheri (Chad) Bundy of Bridgman, Stephanie Brown of Bridgman, Matthew Smith of Bridgman; 7 great grandchildren, Kaylin & Lexi Ziebarth, Samantha & Quinlan Sommer, Kyleigh & Autumn Brown, Ava Brown; 4 sisters, Margaret Hawwetter, Irma Zick, Erica Gabbert & Irene (Edward) Palis & many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Roma on April 14, 2007, his parents, Fred & Theresa (Zielke) Yops, daughter Nancy Sommer on December 30, 2004; A sister, Ruth (Milan) Pavlisin & a brother Eric (Winnie) Yops.