Edward A. Sieber

Edward A. Sieber, 97, of St. Joseph, passed away, Monday, April 16, 2012 at Whitcomb Towers in St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 A.M. Saturday at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor with Fr. William J. Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or Coloma High School Softball. Those wishing to sign Ed’s Guestbook online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ed was born February 20, 1915 in Bainbridge Township to Joseph & Frances (Willmeng) Sieber. He graduated from Coloma High School in 1933. On October 12, 1940, he married the former Florence Hradecky in Watervliet. Ed served his country in the US Army during WWII as a medic. While in the Army, Ed pursued his passion for baseball by playing in the Army baseball leagues. He was the starting catcher for the team that played the first professional baseball game in London. Following his service to his country, Ed gained employment with Indiana & Michigan Electric Co., retiring in 1967 as an Industrial Salesman after 30 years. Following retirement, Ed worked in real estate for many years. Ed served as a trustee for St. Joseph Charter Township for 28 years, serving on the planning board for 15 years, on the Port Authority, and on the Lake Michigan Shoreline Water & Sewer Authority. He was proud of the fact that the new township fire station on Colfax Ave. was dedicated in his name. Ed coached baseball in the Fairplain Little League & Babe Ruth League for many years. He was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish, Berrien Hills Country Club, and a charter member of the Berrien County Sportsman’s Club. In addition to baseball, Ed enjoyed golfing & hunting. Ed is survived by two sons, James (Sandra) Sieber of Lake Forest, IL and John (Janet) Sieber of Coloma; six grandchildren, Bryan Sieber, Dr. David Sieber, Jonathon Sieber, Mark (Christi) Sieber, Jeff (Samantha) Sieber, & Tara Sieber; one great-grandson, Cooper Sieber; his sister Marjorie Kesterke of Berrien Springs; his niece Lynn (Dennis) Bowen of St. Joseph; and several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Mary Ellen Sieber, his wife Florence on May 17, 2009, two brothers-Raynold & Joseph Sieber, and a sister Delora Postello.