Sheldon Rosenberg

Our quiet hero, Sheldon Rosenberg, moved on to the next row in his orchard, early on Saturday June 3rd, 2017, just after the sun rose, at home with the girl of his dreams by his side. He was a good man, husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, fruit grower, ski pal, and friend to all who were fortunate to have known him. He was a kind and gentle soul who loved buttered pecan ice cream and cherry pie, and was most blissful as he nurtured good tree fruit to the perfect ripeness and peak of flavor in his Sodus, Michigan orchards. Orchards where his trees were always in straight rows, and he was happy to discover what his trees needed. He enjoyed reading poetry, and one of his favorites was “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer. Sheldon was born in the middle of the tart cherry harvest on July 7, 1929, the second son of Benjamin Rosenberg and Rose Dunaetz-Rosenberg, and was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Andrews University, and had a maize and blue heart until his last breath. He was a member of Temple B’nai Shalom and served on the Saint Joseph River Soil Conservation District Board, the Eau Claire Public Schools Board of Education, and was a crack player of Poker and Tunk with his pals. He bowled at the Blossom Lanes, and played basketball with friends at the Lybrook Elementary gym, but was happiest surrounded by his family, and most proud of his 64 year marriage to his sweetheart and bride, Violet (Vicki) Spear; his four children; Debra, Julie (Myles), Steven, Rob (Janica) and his grandchildren Noah, Tobias and Sasha; who all survive him; along with his brother Irving (Alice). He left this world a much better place. He will be missed by many, and remembered kindly by more. He was preceded in death by his brother Arnold, and his parents. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to University of Michigan Giving earmarked to UMCCC, prostate and/or ovarian cancer research, 3003 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1288 A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rabbi David Nelson officiating. Friends may visit with the family at 1:00 P.M. until the time of service. Burial will follow at B’nai Shalom Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to share a memory of Sheldon online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com