John Herbert Breinling

John Herbert Breinling, 102 years old, went to be with his Lord and Savior in the morning hours of January 30, 2019 in his apartment at the Whitcomb Retirement Residence in St. Joseph, Michigan. John was born to Gustav and Amanda (Hahn) Breinling on July 10, 1916 on their Park Rd. farm in Eau Claire, Michigan. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 671 McAllister, Benton Harbor with Pastor Jeff Bolwerk officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family Friday, February 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials in John’s name may be given to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. John attended St. Matthew’s Lutheran School in Benton Harbor, graduating in 1930. He then attended Benton Harbor High School for 7 months in the 9th grade and decided school just wasn’t for him. He then helped his parents on farms in Eau Claire (Park Rd.), Sodus and on Nickerson and Napier where his father sponsored many German families. John worked at Whirlpool for a few months and then decided to go into the gas station business, working and managing several stations and finally owning his own station on Main St. in Benton Harbor. John joined the U.S. Navy on September 11, 1939 going through boot camp at Navel Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. After boot camp, John reported to the U.S.S. Indianapolis stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands, where he became a fire control technician. John also trained and qualified as a deep dive – hard hat diver. John was on board the Indianapolis when it pulled out of Pearl Harbor several days before the Japanese attack on the base. Upon return to Pearl a week after the attack, John used his diving qualifications to help salvage equipment off the sunken ships in the harbor. Anyone who knew John can’t help but remember some of his gruesome tales on diving through feet of black oil and fuel, diving on upside down ships and recovering bodies. While still on board the Indy, John received the “Ancient Order of the Deep” (Shellback) when he crossed the equator on February 6, 1942. On May 19, 1942, John was transferred to the U.S.S. Prometheus where he was once again a fire control technician. On October 27, 1942 John received the “Realm of the Golden Dragon” when the ship crossed the International Date Line. In his spare time John loved to gamble and throw craps. He also had a liquor still hidden in his office. This still got him steak while others were eating liver. On July 24, 1943, John reported to the U.S.S. Cabot for its commissioning in Philadelphia. John again was a fire control technician. John participated in action against the Japanese from March through October 1944. Many of which were Kamikaze attacks. John would tell of losing many shipmates and how emotional it was to perform burials at sea. John received a commendation for “outstanding service and meritorious conduct…off the coast of the Philippines while under attack by Japanese aircraft.” Also, while on board the Cabot, John rode out Halsey’s Typhoon in December 1944. On September 13, 1945 John returned to Benton Harbor in the Naval Reserve only to be recalled back into the Navy July 9, 1951 for the Korean War. During this time John served on the U.S.S. Valley Forge CV-45. Here he was in charge of fire control spare parts, accounting and the issuing officer. He received the Korean Service Ribbon Star United Nations Service Medal. John returned back to Benton Harbor for good in October 1952 with his Honorable Discharge. John was a lifelong member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor, where he was baptized, confirmed and married. Here he loved serving his Lord holding many positions at both the church and St. Matthew’s School. John served on the Board of Education, Board of Elders, Church Council, Treasurer, Secretary and Deacon. John was one of the first members of the Michigan Lutheran High School Board of Regents serving many terms as treasurer. After World War II, John returned to Benton Harbor to start the Breinling Insurance Agency. He had offices on Pipestone, at the Fairplain Plaza (Breinling-Flaugh Agency), and downtown St. Joseph (Benner-Fairchild and Breinling Agency and the Rutz, Smith, Breinling Agency), retiring from Insurance Management Services with over 50 years in the business. John was also a proud member of the Benton Harbor Lions Club selling Newsies at F & M Bank at the Fairplain Plaza, as well as the St. Joseph Lions selling his newsies in front of Schneck’s every year. John belonged to American Legion Post 105, was a lifetime member #0097 of Lest We Forget – SW Michigan and a member of the U.S. Navy Memorial. On September 5, 1953 John married Beatrice Lydia Carley. Together they raised 3 strong, Christian sons. John and Bea loved to travel through the United States, often staying with family and Navy buddies. John was by Bea’s side through her bouts with cancer, her blindness and in the months of her declining health. She preceded him in death on October 8, 2014. The Lord blessed them with 61 years of marriage. John was an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. He spent many hours sharing these pastimes with his children and grandchildren. He would often be found fishing on the piers during his lunch hour. John is survived by his 3 sons: Tom (Carol) of Ada, Michigan, Jeff (Cheryl) of Stevensville and Mark of Grandville, Michigan; 6 grandchildren: Heather (Ryan) Imler, Craig (Tina) Breinling, Scott Breinling, Ashley (David) Fouch, Rick Breinling, Aaron (Hilary) Breinling and 2 step-grandchildren Nicole (Tim) Perkins and Andrew Mikkelsen; 9 great-grandchildren Taylor, Shelby, Mackenzie, Cooper, Aubrie, Sullivan, Jeffery, Colton and Levi. Numerous nieces, nephews and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Beatrice, his brother Harold and sisters Edna Breinling, Elsie Belke, Adeline Petlick and Madeline Larsen. A special thank you to all the nurses, aides and staff at the Whitcomb Tower in St. Joseph. You loved Mr. John – Grandpa John like he was part of your family. And for that we are very appreciative. “There will come a day when youth shall pass away, but you will be remembered forever!”