Richard A. Mort

Richard A. Mort, 84, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday July 2, 2008. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, July 5, 2008 at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd. in Sodus with Pastor Jim Dibbet officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Military rites will be conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post 568. Friends may call from 4:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M. Friday July 4, 2008 at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Richard was born March 17, 1924 in South Haven, Michigan, to Neil Robert and Audrey (Wilmont) Mort. He graduated from South Haven High School in 1941. In March of 1942 he was called to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was honored with many citations including American Theatre, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, the Air Medal and was a German Prisoner of War from August 17, 1944 until May 1, 1945. He was discharged in December of 1945. On November 14, 1992, he married Marilyn Boelcke. Richard was the founder of R.A. Mort Supply in Benton Harbor in 1953. Richard was an active member in his church and a life member of V.F.W. Post 1137 in Benton Harbor. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, camping, Mustangs, baseball, the Chicago Bulls, and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Mort is survived by his first wife Jean and their two children Deborah Mort of St. Joseph and Yogi (Pam) Mort of St. Joseph; his second wife Marilyn Mort and five step-children Debbie (Ron) Bingham of Boyne City, Pattie (Clyde) Fisher of Eau Claire, Terry Traxler of Cedar Springs, Karen (Dan) Stice of Eau Claire, Bob (Regina) Burton of Eau Claire; one sister Gaye Schurr of Kalamazoo; 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister Wanda Swain and two brothers Robert Mort and Russell Allen Mort.