Gustav Juengling

Gustav Juengling, 98, of Benton Harbor, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 29, 2005. He died peacefully with family members present. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 1:00 P.M., at First Assembly of God, 3084 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI, with Pastor Dan Miller officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, MI. Visitation will be on Friday, April 1, from 6:00-9:00 P.M., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guestbook, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Gustav was born January 6, 1907, in Milachew, Wolhynien, Poland. He was married to Elli Reinfahrt, who preceded him in death on May 24, 2000. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and his nine children ? Hedy (Tony) Grasl of Detroit, MI, Frieda (Ted) Jezeski of Crandon, WI, Herb (Janet) Juengling of Benton Harbor, MI, Adolph (Sandy) Juengling of St. Joseph, MI, Trudy Polashak of Clermont, FL, Will (Betty) Juengling of Benton Harbor, MI, Lena (Dick) McNees of Stevensville, MI, Reiny (Cindy) Juengling of Wenatche, WA, and Ursula Juengling of Portage, MI; 28 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren. Gustav and his wife Elli lived in Lubranzick, Poland until World War II, Gustav was taken into the German army and his wife had to flee into East Germany. There, Gustav and Elli, Along with their seven children escaped across the Russian border to freedom into West Germany. They lived on the Island of Baltrum in the North Sea of Germany from 1946-1951. After five years on the island, Elli?s uncle, Ed Brenner, sponsored Gustav and Elli, which allowed them to come to America. When they arrived, they worked on Ed Brenner?s fruit farm in Watervliet. After two years, Gustav and Elli were able to buy their own farm on Benton Center Road. They also built a new home in 1969 where Gustav lived until December 2004 and then moved to Crown Point Senior Living in Stevensville. Gustav farmed a fruit farm during the day, and worked nights at New Products Corp. in Benton Harbor form 1953 ? 1966, and then at Saranac Corp. in Benton Harbor for sixteen years. He retired in 1972, but continued farming. Gustav loved telling stories of all the miracles God had performed in his life while in Germany and throughout the war. He enjoyed playing his violin and harmonica for his children and grandchildren. Gustav was a member of First Assembly of God, St. Joseph, since 1953. He Had an Evangelistic calling on his life and wanted everyone he came in contact with to know of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He would share with them how old he was, and that he was going to heaven very soon. He would tell them that they could also go to Heaven if they would ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and ask Jesus to come into their heart.