Helmut Fandrich

Helmut Fandrich, 67, of St. Joseph, passed on to be with his loving savior, with his family present at his side, Sunday, March 6, 2005, at the South Pointe Assisted Living Home in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 12 noon, at First Church of God, St. Joseph, MI, with Rev. Robert Confer officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 8, from 6:00-8:00 P.M., at the Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph, and also one hour prior to the service, from 11:00-12 noon, at the church. Helmut?s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God for the Church of God in Budapest, Hungary. Friends wishing to leave a message, or condolences, to the family, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Helmut was born in Wollynien, June 26, 1937. He and his family came to the U.S. in 1954, and he proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1971. Helmut was employed at the Herald Palladium as a pressman, and retired due to a disability in 1990. He was an active member of the First Church of God in St. Joseph. His relationship with God and his Savior Jesus Christ were what guided his short but full life. He was proud to belong to the family of First Church of God where for many years he sang bass in the choir, taught Sunday school, and used his carpentry skills to build many projects. He also enjoyed the years he was able to participate in the mission trips to Pine Crest Children?s Camp. He took special care of the Pastors of the church and their families and loved them deeply. He was a devoted son, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and deeply family oriented. He was a loyal caregiver to both his Tante Emmi and Onkel Gustav. He was very giving of his time to all he came into contact with, and you could always count on him to give words of encouragement. He grew to love and appreciate the special staff at South Pointe Assisted Living and its residents. He especially enjoyed his coffee clutches with ?the boys? at McDonalds. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his four children, Heidi (Ralph) Sommerfeld of New Buffalo, MI, Monica (Gary) Bolin of St. Joseph, MI, Doris (Bernard) Wermann of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Paul Fandrich of Coloma, MI; his nine beloved grandchildren, Aaron Sommerfeld, Niki McNeil, Justin Coburn, Jess Schoeneich, Greg McNeil, Elle Bolin, Stefanie Wermann, Jessica Wermann, and Danielle Wermann; three great grandchildren, Bryce, Olivia and Farrah McNeil; three step-brothers, Horst Herzog of Findlay, OH, Helmar Herzog of St. Joseph, MI, and Bernhardt Herzog of Kalamazoo, MI; his Uncle Gustav Abram of St. Joseph, MI; and several cousins, including special cousin Ilda (Orland) Wolske of Benton Harbor, MI. Helmut is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Martha Herzog, and a sister-Nellie Fandrich.