Herbert L. Fairbanks

Herbert L. Fairbanks, 90, of Benton Harbor, went to meet his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Watervliet Free Methodist Church, 7734 Paw Paw Ave., Watervliet, with Rev. Brian Hall officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Cremation will follow the service with burial at Coloma Cemetery at a later date.  Friend may visit with the family from 4:30 until 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, December 27 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel.  Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International or Watervliet Free Methodist Church.  Those wishing to sign Herb’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.    Herb was born April 3, 1927 in Alton, Illinois to Ernest & Vernice Fairbanks. The family moved to Michigan and Herb graduated from Benton Harbor High School, Class of 1948, after serving his country during WWII in the US Army.  Herb started his working career at Remington Rand in Benton Harbor followed by Fairbanks Grocery in Coloma.  In 1952, he started in the auto salvage business, founding Fairbanks & Petty Auto Wreckers which later became A-1 Auto Salvage, which he operated until his retirement in 2016.  Herb was a member of the Watervliet Free Methodist Church and the Gideon’s International.  In his younger years he enjoyed racing at Millburg Speedway. Herb enjoyed family time, taking care of his yard, sunsets on the lake bluff, and crossword puzzles.  Herb is survived by his children-Herbert (Beverly) Fairbanks, Jr. of Benton Harbor, Florence Ann Cowgill of Benton Harbor, Virginia (Albert “Tom”) Cowgill of Coloma, John (Carol) Fairbanks of Watervliet, Allen (Diane) Fairbanks of Benton Harbor, LeRoy Cantrell of Benton Harbor, Dorothy “Dee” (Mike) Frazier of Coloma, Victoria “Vicky” (Christopher) Immoos of Coloma; thirty-five grandchildren; sixty-plus great grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren; his brother Lester (Sue) Fairbanks of Watervliet; two sisters-Ruth Watkins of Niles, Esther Golddeamer of Paw Paw; numerous nieces & nephews and friends too numerous to mention. He was preceded in death by his first wife Florence Crisman Fairbanks in 2001, his second wife Norma Jean Moore Fairbanks in 2007, two sons-Ronald Fairbanks in 1965 & David Fairbanks in 2009, & siblings-Ernest, Howard, Raymond Fairbanks & Fern Fowler.