Robert Schiefelbein

Robert Schiefelbein, 91 years young passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph. Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 A.M., Saturday, October 14, at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Stevensville with Rev. Martin Wiegand officiating. Memorials in Robert’s memory may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Robert was born June 25, 1915 to Gustav and Josefine Gewinen Schiefelbein in Sverkof, Poland. He moved from Germany in 1983 after retiring as a railroad worker repairing railway equipment. On May 28, 1983 he married Alwine Mertin in Benton Harbor. She preceded him in death on April 22, 1995. He was a longtime member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed working in his yard and could always be counted on as a ‘fix-it’ man. Robert is survived by his daughter Irmgard Sandrig of Germany; his step-children, Michael Mertin of Kalamazoo, Anita Trujillo of Benton Harbor, and Bert Mertin of Stevensville; two grandchildren, Tanya Sandrig and Heike Nehls; nine step-grandchildren; and by his sister, Emmy Niess of Wisconsin. In addition to his parents and his wife Alwine, he was preceded in death by his first wife Elizabeth; and by his daughter Doris Nehls.