Richard Srnec

Richard John Srnec fell asleep in death at home after a long illness on May 27, 2017, in the presence and comfort of his family, just as he had wished.  Richard was born July 4, 1953, in St. Joseph, Michigan, the son of Clifford and Lydia (Dedek) Srnec.  Richard married Rosemary (Fello) Srnec of St. Joseph on December 23, 1986, and they spent their life together until the very end, with his wife at his side.  He is a member of the graduating class of St. Joseph High School in 1972, before obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He was a Mechanical Engineer at Bosch in St. Joseph, before retiring after 35 years, in 2012.  His hobbies included combining his expertise in engineering with his enjoyment for open air and the outdoors. The hobbies ranged from boating, skiing, swimming, and biking, while also participating in triathlons in his younger years. Also in his younger years, he enjoyed the time at their family cottage on Paw Paw Lake with his mother, father, and sister, Teresa (Patzer). Like his parents, he made sure to also have a cottage on Paw Paw Lake to create memories with the family on the same lake that he spent his childhood.  Amongst his favorite memories were the times spent with his wife Rosemary, his son Richard P, step-son Ryan Vance and his wife Kristan, step grandchildren Alexa and Tyler, his brothers and sisters in laws, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.  In retirement, he and Rosemary enjoyed the winters in Florida with his mother Lydia, sister Teresa, and brother-in-law Larry Patzer. Richard lived a life full of kindness and integrity while sharing many great memories with his family and friends which we will have forever.  Richard is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Fello) Srnec; son Richard P. Srnec, step-son Ryan (Kristan) Vance; Their children, Tyler & Alexa; Mother, Lydia Srnec; sister Teresa (Larry) Patzer; and Teresa’s children, Andrew & Sara Kelm.  Richard was preceded in death by: his father, Clifford Srnec, and former brother-in-law Michael Kelm.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 3:00 P.M., Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 2:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory of Richard online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com