John Phillip Carlson

John “Jack” Phillip Carlson, Sr., 73 of Bridgman, MI., passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, MI. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Rd., Harbert, MI. Friends may call from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. on Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service or Multiple Sclerosis. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jack was born on February 7, 1935, in Chicago, IL. Jack married Marjorie Cooper on October 1, 1983 in Harbert, MI. Jack worked as a manufacturer’s representative for over 30 years. Jack was an avid sailor having sailed across Lake Michigan on many occasions. He loved the outdoors, with a special fondness for canoeing and snow skiing. Jack is survived by his wife Marj Carlson and his children, John (Pam) Carlson of Sawyer, MI; Denise (Ron) Starks of Stevensville, MI; Richard (Kellie) Carlson of Kalamazoo, MI and Janet (Bob) Beemer of St. Joseph, MI. Jack is also survived by three step children Eric (Kristine) Silas of New Berlin, WI; Andrew Silas of Pewaukee, WI and Amy (Jay) Seegert of Waukesha, WI. Jack is also survived by 14 grandchildren (Taylor, Victoria, Rebecca, Brittany and Michael). He was preceded in death by his father Richard “Dick” Carlson; his mother Ruth Carlson and a brother Allan Carlson.