Karl Albert Stelter

ST. JOSEPH – Karl Albert Stelter, 83, went to his Lord Nov. 9, 2007, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Karl is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Marjorie (Breen/Potts); sons, Ralph (Barbara) of Bangor and LeeRoy (Ann) of Saint Joseph Township; daughters, Lorna (Richard) Bertog of Benton Township and Rita (Richard) Becht of Coloma; stepson, Mark Alten of Kentwood and stepdaughters, Cindy (Darren Dunning) Haley of Stevensville and, Linda (Keith) Holman of Coopersville; Grandpa had 12 Grandchildren and 9 Great-Grandchildren with many nieces and nephews. Karl was born in Coloma, Michigan to Ernst Eduard and Minna Charlotte Ernestine (Schroder) Stelter on March 12, 1924. He attended Coloma High School but departed to serve his country as a member of the United States Army Air Corp as a B-24 crew member in the South Pacific during WWII. Upon returning from the military he married Rosella Jean (Smoot) and was employed by a host of employers such as Truscott Boat Manufacturing Company, Troost Brothers Furniture, Western Tire,Twin City Container, Coloma Motor Sales, Maestro Corp., IPM/Avnet from which he retired in 1986. Karl loved his family and looked forward to the annual family reunion in which he always took an active roll to see that a good time was had by all. Earlier in his life he enjoyed the outdoors while camping, hunting and fishing with his sons. More recently he enjoyed watching the wildlife he fed from his deck with Majorie. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1137 and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. His dedication to his wife and family was the cornerstone of his life. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Karl was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Hans, Alfred, Eric, Walter, Ernie and Rudolf and sister, Elizabeth Wigent, a wife Dorothy (Alten) and a grandson Rory Becht. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 West John Beers Road, in Stevensville. Pastor Gerald Schroer will officiate. Burial will follow at North Shore Memorial Garden,Coloma with Military Rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet, and Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Memorial donations may be made in Karl’s name to Berrien County Cancer Service or the Michigan Heart Association. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.