Edward Daniel Zielke

Edward D. ?Ed? Zielke, 84, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at Whitcomb Towers after a brief illness. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville with graveside military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion #362, VFW #1137, Benton Harbor & VFW #6803 Watervliet. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Thursday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Zielke was born August 21, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan. He served his country in the US Army stationed in the Philippines during WWII. After returning from the service he farmed in Bainbridge Township for over 50 years. Ed also worked at Whirlpool in St. Joseph, retiring after 35 years of employment. On August 31, 1940 he married the former Ada Polashak in Sodus, Michigan. Ed was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Coloma American Legion #362, and the Whirlpool Old Timers. He enjoyed Lake Michigan, fishing, and walking on the St. Joseph piers. Ed & Ada enjoyed wintering for 20 years in Fort Myers, Florida. Mr. Zielke was the loving husband of Ada; the beloved father of Sharon (Chuck) Dewey, Patricia (Harry) Jaeger, Sandra (George) Stoltz, and Daniel E. Zielke. He was the cherished grandfather of Raegon Gilson, Rev. Mark (Laura) Gilson, Phillip (Diane) Jaeger, Paul (Debbie) Jaeger, Karen (Frank) Bock, Charlotte (Phillip) Baham, Harry Jaeger, Dina (George) Molter, Gregory Dewey, Gavin Dewey, and Jason Dewey. He will also be missed by his 14 great-grandchildren, brother Robert Zielke, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Pauline Hartwig, and brothers Albert, Nathaniel & Jay Zielke.