Waldemar Hylmar Noll

Waldemar Hylmar Noll, 76, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, July 16, 2007, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph with family at his side. He was born February 26, 1931, in Sintautai, Lithuania, to German parents. During World War II, his family was forced to flee their home, eventually settling in Germany. He emigrated to Australia in 1948, spending eight wonderful years working and traveling over much of the Outback by motorcycle. It is there where he met Esmie Janette (Day), whom he later married on October 26, 1957 in Vancouver, British Columbia. They both emigrated to the USA in 1960, eventually settling in St. Joseph in 1964. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Gottlieb and Maria (Becker) Noll, sister Elvyra and his brothers, Albert, Gustav, Arthur and Wilhelm Noll and nephew, Peter Endriukaitis. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son William, daughters Karen (Sal) Guadagni, St. Joseph and Vicki (Larry) Neal of Stevensville; grandchildren Leonardo and Salvatore Guadagni, Dakotah and Grayson Neal; sister Ericka (Dr. Eric) Deglan of Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada; brother Oscar (Herta) Noll of St. Joseph and sister in law Ida Noll of Germany; goddaughter Brigitte (David) Scheffler; niece Donna Endriukaitis; nephews Van (Candace) Noll, Tom (Sue) Noll, Dieter (Ellen) Deglan of Canada and Dieter (Elvyra) Noll, Gerhardt Noll, Erwin Noll; nieces Irene (Peter) Weichert and Wilma (Horst) Lux, all of Germany. He was a 3 term president of the St. Joseph Kickers and led the building of their clubhouse. He was also a member of St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor, various trade associations and was a local business owner. He will be remembered by his enjoyment of family, especially grandchildren, cooking and politics. Visitation will be held at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home this Thursday, July 19, 2007 from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, at the corner of Colfax and Kline, Benton Harbor with Pastor Martin Weigand officiating on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. His final resting place will be in Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share memories or condolences online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.