Grant W. Derfelt

Grant W. Derfelt, 71, of Benton Harbor, passed away Thursday, March 18, 2004 at his home. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph, with Rev. Jeff Oliver officiating. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Exchange Club. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Derfelt was born July 2, 1932 in Joplin, Missouri to Dawson W. & Nell (Emerson) Derfelt. He graduated from the Oklahoma Military Academy, now Will Rodgers College; and from the University of Texas in El Paso with a Bachelors Degree in Business. On September 4, 1954 he married the former Barbara Gideon in Benton Harbor. Grant served his country in the United States Army from 1955-1957. Grant was the President of Barentsen Candy Company in Benton Harbor. He was a member and past president of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Exchange Club, President of Federated Merchandising of New York, and on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Wholesale Distributors. Mr. Derfelt is survived by his wife Barbara; his son David (Chris) Derfelt of Franklin, Massachusetts; his daughter Susan (Robert) Bandsma of Coloma; three grandchildren-Sarah, Adam, & Emily Derfelt; his brother-D.W. (Lorraine) Derfelt of Henderson, Nevada; and his brother-in-law & sister-in-law-Robert & Sally Gideon of St. Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents.