Harry F. Bischoff
November 15th, 1938 - February 5th, 2024
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Harry's Obituary
Harry Bischoff, 85, of St. Joseph went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
Harry was born on November 15, 1938, to Albert and Martha (Neumann) Bischoff in Benton Harbor. He lived and worked on the family farm on Benton Center Rd. and attended St. Matthews Lutheran School through the eighth grade before graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1957. Following graduation, Harry went to work for Whirlpool Corporation in the building below the bluff where the Whirlpool Compass Fountain now stands. Working alongside another recent Benton Harbor graduate, future JohnsonRauhoff CEO Don Johnson, Harry and Don honed their graphics craft before joining the military, getting married, and (years later) starting their own businesses.
On June 19, 1959, Harry married the love of his life, Jeannine Jensen, at Napier Parkview Baptist Church. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Lincoln, Nebraska and Okinawa before being honorably discharged in 1961. Upon returning to civilian life, Harry worked for DeeColor in Stevensville before joining Universal Looseleaf, climbing to Vice President there before starting his own graphics business, Southtown Graphics, one of the pioneering businesses in the revival of what is now the Benton Harbor Arts District (located at the current site of Mason Jar Café). After selling his business, Harry worked part-time in retirement for Edgewater Bank.
Harry enjoyed radio controlled airplanes and cooking, and catered several weddings for friends and family. He was a member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church, where he served for many years on the Board of Trustees, also working in the children’s clubs programs.
Harry is survived by his children: Christine (Bruce) Gorenflo of St. Joseph, Bradley (Meredith McAlmon) Bischoff of Austin, Texas, Timothy Bischoff of Boyne Falls, and Elizabeth (Gaston Leoni) Brown of St. Joseph; grandchildren Eric (Louise) Gorenflo, Joel Gorenflo, Evan (Hannah) Gorenflo, Timothy Brown, Christian Brown, and Drew Brown; great-grandchildren Roxy and Camille Gorenflo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy (Jack) Tober, and wife Jeannine.
In lieu of a formal funeral service, per Harry’s wishes, there will be a graveside memorial at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, www.starks-menchinger.com.
Harry was born on November 15, 1938, to Albert and Martha (Neumann) Bischoff in Benton Harbor. He lived and worked on the family farm on Benton Center Rd. and attended St. Matthews Lutheran School through the eighth grade before graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1957. Following graduation, Harry went to work for Whirlpool Corporation in the building below the bluff where the Whirlpool Compass Fountain now stands. Working alongside another recent Benton Harbor graduate, future JohnsonRauhoff CEO Don Johnson, Harry and Don honed their graphics craft before joining the military, getting married, and (years later) starting their own businesses.
On June 19, 1959, Harry married the love of his life, Jeannine Jensen, at Napier Parkview Baptist Church. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Lincoln, Nebraska and Okinawa before being honorably discharged in 1961. Upon returning to civilian life, Harry worked for DeeColor in Stevensville before joining Universal Looseleaf, climbing to Vice President there before starting his own graphics business, Southtown Graphics, one of the pioneering businesses in the revival of what is now the Benton Harbor Arts District (located at the current site of Mason Jar Café). After selling his business, Harry worked part-time in retirement for Edgewater Bank.
Harry enjoyed radio controlled airplanes and cooking, and catered several weddings for friends and family. He was a member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church, where he served for many years on the Board of Trustees, also working in the children’s clubs programs.
Harry is survived by his children: Christine (Bruce) Gorenflo of St. Joseph, Bradley (Meredith McAlmon) Bischoff of Austin, Texas, Timothy Bischoff of Boyne Falls, and Elizabeth (Gaston Leoni) Brown of St. Joseph; grandchildren Eric (Louise) Gorenflo, Joel Gorenflo, Evan (Hannah) Gorenflo, Timothy Brown, Christian Brown, and Drew Brown; great-grandchildren Roxy and Camille Gorenflo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy (Jack) Tober, and wife Jeannine.
In lieu of a formal funeral service, per Harry’s wishes, there will be a graveside memorial at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, www.starks-menchinger.com.
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