Albert C. Radke

Albert C. Radke, 88, of Eau Claire, passed away Sunday, December 16, 2007 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday at St. Peter’s Church, 623 Church St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Terry Tessari officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Radke was born September 24, 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Adolph & Julia (Krause) Radke. His family moved to Benton Harbor and he attended Bard School in Benton Harbor. On October 12, 1940, Albert married the former Kathryn Schmall in Baroda. He was employed at Whirlpool Corp. in St. Joseph, retiring in 1981 after 38 years of employment. In 1953, he moved his family to the farm in Bainbridge Township near Pipestone Lake. He enjoyed the many years he spent there tending to his yard, his garden, and his blueberry’s; and enjoying the nature and wild life of the area. Albert was a member of the Bard School Group and the Whirlpool Old Timers. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and the time he spent polka dancing with his wife in their earlier years. Mr. Radke is survived by his children-Ronald Radke of E. Lansing, MI, Charles (Barbara) Radke of Stevensville, Marilyn (Dave) Nolen of Columbia, TN, Dennis (Marcia) Radke of Pierson, MI, Charlene (Jim) Modigell of Coloma, Linda (Rob) Fisher of Berrien Springs; 19 grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 14 step great-grandchildren; his brother Ervin (Jean) Radke of Corvallis, Oregon; two half-sisters-Ruth Borah of Bangor, MI, Dorothy Bruce of Liviona, MI; numerous nieces & nephews; and a special friend of over 85 years, Alfred “Doc” Geik of St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn on January 15, 2001, his grandson Dirk Hafer on January 16, 1989, and by his siblings-Hilda Rock, Gustave Radke, Elsie Fredricks, Eric Radke & Fred Radke.