Ronald Bryant

Ronald Bryant, 62, of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, October 8, 2007, at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., on Friday, October 12, 2007, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Kelly Burd officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale with Military Rites performed by the Stevensville American Legion Post # 568. Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 P.M., on Thursday, October 11, at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Humane Society of Southwestern MI. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ron was born on September 20, 1945 to Robert and Beulah (Hampton) Bryant in Watervliet, MI. Ron worked for Chardon Rubber for 44 years in management. Ron graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1964 and then attended Lake Michigan College. He was a Spc 5 in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1967-1969. He was awarded a Purple Heart. On March 31, 2004 Ron married Penny Hart in Sarasota, FL. Ron was a member of the American Legion for 21 years most recently with the Stevensville American Legion Post # 568. He loved baseball and was a huge Cubs fan. He was a baseball and softball coach during the summer in Fairplain. He was also involved with the St. Joseph Post # 163 baseball team for 17 years. Ron also enjoyed bowling, golfing, and spending time with his family. Ron will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Ron is survived by his wife, Penny Hart of St. Joseph; three children, Kelly (Timothy) England of Cassopolis, MI, Marci (Owen) Rice of Cassopolis, MI, and Chad Bryant of South Bend, IN; three step-children, Mark (Sandy) Hart of Temecula, CA, Corry (Tim) Smith of Valley Center, CA, and Grant (Wendy) Hart of Watervliet, MI; three grandchildren, Chloe Bryant of Cassopolis, MI, and Jeremy and Tad England of Toledo, OH; four step-grandchildren, Justin and Nathan Hart of Temecula, CA and Hannah and Natalie Hart of Watervliet, MI; a twin brother, Don (Judy) Bryant of AR; two brothers, Roy (Sandy) Bryant of Benton Harbor and Robert (Mary) Bryant, Jr. of AR; one sister, Norma Sirk (Ray) of AR; and a special nephew, Rick (Rebecca) Bryant of AR. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and one brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Joanne Bryant.