Roger Schmalenberger

Roger Schmalenberger, 67, of Stevensville, MI passed away suddenly on Friday, July 13, 2018 at his home.  A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Monday, July, 16, 2018 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Lakeshore Football Team or to the college fund for Andrew in C/O Cynthia Schmalenberger. Those wishing to share a memory of Roger online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Roger was born on November 18, 1950 in Evansville, IN to Clarence and Mae (Brothers) Schmalenberger. On June 16, 2001 he married his wife, Cindy (Belter) in St. Joseph.  Roger worked at Kaywood in Benton Harbor for years and Universal Stamping.  Before retiring at age 62 he also worked at Goodwill and the 99 cent store.    Roger enjoyed fishing and golfing at Pipestone Creek Golf Course.  On Thursdays and Fridays you could always find him shopping at estate and garage sales where he added to his beer stein and golf ball collection.  Every morning he enjoyed breakfast at either The Grill in Stevensville or Dinos in St. Joe, sharing a laugh with the many friends he made there.   Next to his family, Rogers greatest love in his life was his music.  He played in bands starting in high school and was still playing and singing in them when he passed.  Some of the bands he played in were Midnight Sunn, Shadowland, Eclipse and the Last Mangos.  He felt privileged to have played many times at the Venetian Festival in St. Joe.  While he was playing in the Eclipse band he met his future wife, Cindy at the old Club 63 in Hagar Shore.  Roger stayed in contact with many of his band mates from over the years and treasured their friendships.    Roger’s family includes his wife, Cindy; son Andrew, still at home; his daughter Amy (Greg) King of Jasper, IN and his son Adam of Jasper, IN.  His grandchildren Tyler King; Madelyn and Kelsey Schmalenberger all of Jasper, IN; his sister Viola (James) Dimmett of Evansville, IN and numerous nieces and nephews.    Roger was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Clarence Schmalenberger; Fred Kirk and his sister Mary Anne Dimmett.    Friday, July 13th, was the day the music truly died.