Michael John Kastner
February 22nd, 1941 - April 28th, 2025
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Michael's Obituary
Michael John Kastner was born February 22, 1941, to Herman and Madge Kastner. He passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025, at the age of 84 at his home in Richland, Michigan with family by his side.
Michael was a devoted husband to wife Marcie and loving father to their four children, David (Kim) Kastner, Dennis (Tracy) Kastner, Kenny (Nikki) Kastner, Cindy (Eric) Belz, as well as nine grandchildren: Andrew Kastner, Travis (Katie) Kastner, Becca (Alex) Kastner-Darmos, Kevin Kastner, Katie (Drake) Jaglowski, Mackenzie, Sierra, Kaleigh, and Taylor Belz, and three great-grandchildren: Annaleigh, Alfred, and Addilynn Kastner. He has three surviving siblings: Marj Kastner, Pat (Michael) Verlodt, and Tim (Joan) Kastner, and was preceded in death by Kay McLaughlin and Marion Nickels.
Mike was born in Hartford City, Indiana and moved to South Bend at an early age. He attended Holy Cross Grade School and St. Joseph High School in South Bend, where in his Sophomore year he met the love of his life Marcie Kowalski. Mike enlisted in the Navy full time from 1959-63 and served aboard the USS Vogelgesang DD 862. He continued in the Naval Reserves for 21 years and worked as a hospital corpsman with the Marines. The Marines he worked with always referred to him endearingly as “Doc”. While in the Navy, he attended the Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes Illinois, which started his very accomplished career in the medical field. Mike’s career began as a Credit Manager, followed by Surgical Supply Sales, and then Director of Purchasing for St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois. In 1969 the Kastner family relocated to Southwest Michigan as Mike started his career at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor as Director of Purchasing and was later promoted to Director of Building Services and Construction at Lakeland Regional Health Systems. Some of his major accomplishments during that time include helping to establish the Heart Center, the Open Heart Surgery Program, the Cancer Treatment Center, and the Dialysis Center. While at Lakeland he oversaw the design and construction of several multimillion-dollar projects like the new Medical Health Park, the Bed Tower hospital addition and the much-needed Multi Level Parking Garage. When Mike retired from Lakeland in 2012 after a successful 42 year career he was awarded an Honorary Ph.D. in “Results” because as the CEO said at the time “If you gave a job to Mike, just step back and watch it happen!”
Mike was a member of the Benton Harbor Fair Plain Lions Club for over 35 years serving as President twice and Secretary and Treasurer multiple times. He was also instrumental in helping to establish the Benton Harbor Lions Foundation. He served as President of the Foundation for several years. He was presented with the Melvin Jones Award, the highest award given by the Lions. He also served on the Berrien Community Foundation Investment Committee. He was Board President of Twin Cities Federal Credit Union through two mergers (Honor Credit Union). He was a Fellow with the National Association of Purchasing Managers and served as Board President of the Hospital Purchasing Service (HPS) of Michigan, and as Chairman of the First National Advisory Board for Voluntary Hospitals of America, the Emergency Care Research Institute, and the Enterprise Systems Advisory Board.
Mike was amazing at his many jobs; but it was his family, faith and friends that were his real love. Mike and Marcie have been happily married for over 64 years. They have been inseparable during their adventures, from honeymooning in Kentucky, to vacationing in Paris, and spending retirement winters in Florida, as well as so many places in between. They built their dream home together in St. Joseph at Eagle Point Harbor and he enjoyed time captaining his boat on many river cruises with his beautiful wife Marcie. No project or dream was too big as long as they were in it together. Their dedication to the Catholic faith allowed their marriage to flourish through all of these years. Mike really enjoyed his retirement spending time with Marcie and celebrating all the special moments that he was able to share with their kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a guiding light in this world for hard work, dedication, and generosity that inspired everyone around him.
•May 4th - Visitation for the public will be held from 2:00-4:00 at Starks Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd St. Joseph MI 49085
•May 5th - The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am at Saint Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
•Immediately following the Mass - the family invites everyone back to Starks Family Funeral Home for food and fellowship. This is a time to share stories and celebrate his remarkable life.
•Memorial donations may be made to the Benton Harbor Lions Foundation.
Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Michael was a devoted husband to wife Marcie and loving father to their four children, David (Kim) Kastner, Dennis (Tracy) Kastner, Kenny (Nikki) Kastner, Cindy (Eric) Belz, as well as nine grandchildren: Andrew Kastner, Travis (Katie) Kastner, Becca (Alex) Kastner-Darmos, Kevin Kastner, Katie (Drake) Jaglowski, Mackenzie, Sierra, Kaleigh, and Taylor Belz, and three great-grandchildren: Annaleigh, Alfred, and Addilynn Kastner. He has three surviving siblings: Marj Kastner, Pat (Michael) Verlodt, and Tim (Joan) Kastner, and was preceded in death by Kay McLaughlin and Marion Nickels.
Mike was born in Hartford City, Indiana and moved to South Bend at an early age. He attended Holy Cross Grade School and St. Joseph High School in South Bend, where in his Sophomore year he met the love of his life Marcie Kowalski. Mike enlisted in the Navy full time from 1959-63 and served aboard the USS Vogelgesang DD 862. He continued in the Naval Reserves for 21 years and worked as a hospital corpsman with the Marines. The Marines he worked with always referred to him endearingly as “Doc”. While in the Navy, he attended the Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes Illinois, which started his very accomplished career in the medical field. Mike’s career began as a Credit Manager, followed by Surgical Supply Sales, and then Director of Purchasing for St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois. In 1969 the Kastner family relocated to Southwest Michigan as Mike started his career at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor as Director of Purchasing and was later promoted to Director of Building Services and Construction at Lakeland Regional Health Systems. Some of his major accomplishments during that time include helping to establish the Heart Center, the Open Heart Surgery Program, the Cancer Treatment Center, and the Dialysis Center. While at Lakeland he oversaw the design and construction of several multimillion-dollar projects like the new Medical Health Park, the Bed Tower hospital addition and the much-needed Multi Level Parking Garage. When Mike retired from Lakeland in 2012 after a successful 42 year career he was awarded an Honorary Ph.D. in “Results” because as the CEO said at the time “If you gave a job to Mike, just step back and watch it happen!”
Mike was a member of the Benton Harbor Fair Plain Lions Club for over 35 years serving as President twice and Secretary and Treasurer multiple times. He was also instrumental in helping to establish the Benton Harbor Lions Foundation. He served as President of the Foundation for several years. He was presented with the Melvin Jones Award, the highest award given by the Lions. He also served on the Berrien Community Foundation Investment Committee. He was Board President of Twin Cities Federal Credit Union through two mergers (Honor Credit Union). He was a Fellow with the National Association of Purchasing Managers and served as Board President of the Hospital Purchasing Service (HPS) of Michigan, and as Chairman of the First National Advisory Board for Voluntary Hospitals of America, the Emergency Care Research Institute, and the Enterprise Systems Advisory Board.
Mike was amazing at his many jobs; but it was his family, faith and friends that were his real love. Mike and Marcie have been happily married for over 64 years. They have been inseparable during their adventures, from honeymooning in Kentucky, to vacationing in Paris, and spending retirement winters in Florida, as well as so many places in between. They built their dream home together in St. Joseph at Eagle Point Harbor and he enjoyed time captaining his boat on many river cruises with his beautiful wife Marcie. No project or dream was too big as long as they were in it together. Their dedication to the Catholic faith allowed their marriage to flourish through all of these years. Mike really enjoyed his retirement spending time with Marcie and celebrating all the special moments that he was able to share with their kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a guiding light in this world for hard work, dedication, and generosity that inspired everyone around him.
•May 4th - Visitation for the public will be held from 2:00-4:00 at Starks Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd St. Joseph MI 49085
•May 5th - The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am at Saint Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
•Immediately following the Mass - the family invites everyone back to Starks Family Funeral Home for food and fellowship. This is a time to share stories and celebrate his remarkable life.
•Memorial donations may be made to the Benton Harbor Lions Foundation.
Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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