Nicholas Gene “Nick” Auringer
October 18th, 1950 - November 5th, 2025
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Nick's Obituary
On November 5, 2025, Nicholas” Nick” Gene Auringer of St Joseph Michigan entered into eternal rest at the age of 75.
A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 24 at 11:00 am at Pathway Global Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, 49085 with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, 49085. Donations can be sent to Camp Leo-(St. Joe Lions Club) or Pathway Global Methodist Church.
Nick was born Lafayette, IN the second of five boys, to James and JoAnne (Karsten) Auringer. He grew up in St. Joe, an alumni of SJHS and LMC, where he met his wife of 54 years, Shirley Russell. The two were married in 1971 at FUMC and raised their two daughters, Cristy and Andrea Auringer. Nick served his country while in the United States Army.
Nick was a Christian and actively involved in choir, handbells, VBS, Crop Walk, Men’s Bible Study and was a Certified Lay Minister at FUMC. He participated in the Twin City Players (Into the Woods, Godspell, Sweeney Todd) and was in the clown group “Caring Clowns for Christ” (the “3 C’s) where he was known as “Wood-n-Knot”. Nick enjoyed trains, steam engines, yearly camping trips to “Family Camp”, “rolleycoasters”, football, raw cookie dough, and above all, making people laugh.
Nick was a gifted composer/poet. He played keyboard, guitar, and loved to sing. He won 2 notable competitions: St Joe’s Sesquicentennial competition where local elementary schools performed his composition (1984), and WGN Chicago’s all expenses paid California trip for the premiere of “Fantasmic!” in Disneyland (1992) His daughters and he created a picture book fairy tale and tape called The Magical Kingdom of WED.
Nick served as a board member for Venetian Festival and Girl Scouts of Singing Sands. He participated in Junior Achievement and clowned for Camp Leo (supported by the Lion’s Club. He was a maintenance man for People State Bank before working at St. Joseph Public Schools and a Carpenter by trade (helping completely renovate his and Shirley’s home). Nick was also a dependable blood donor.
Nick will be deeply missed by his loving wife Shirley; daughters, Christy Auringer and Andrea (Patrick) Jordan; grandchildren, Arianna Auringer James Nicholas and Paul Jordan; brothers, John (Dorie) Auringer, Paul (Kelley) Auringer, and Tom (Nancy) Auringer; brother in-law Don Russell and sister-in-law Karen Hartman as well as multiple nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by; his parents James (Joanne) Auringer and in laws John (Barbara) Russell, brother, Daniel (Janie) Auringer and brother-in-law Kenneth (Margaret) Russell.
A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 24 at 11:00 am at Pathway Global Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, 49085 with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, 49085. Donations can be sent to Camp Leo-(St. Joe Lions Club) or Pathway Global Methodist Church.
Nick was born Lafayette, IN the second of five boys, to James and JoAnne (Karsten) Auringer. He grew up in St. Joe, an alumni of SJHS and LMC, where he met his wife of 54 years, Shirley Russell. The two were married in 1971 at FUMC and raised their two daughters, Cristy and Andrea Auringer. Nick served his country while in the United States Army.
Nick was a Christian and actively involved in choir, handbells, VBS, Crop Walk, Men’s Bible Study and was a Certified Lay Minister at FUMC. He participated in the Twin City Players (Into the Woods, Godspell, Sweeney Todd) and was in the clown group “Caring Clowns for Christ” (the “3 C’s) where he was known as “Wood-n-Knot”. Nick enjoyed trains, steam engines, yearly camping trips to “Family Camp”, “rolleycoasters”, football, raw cookie dough, and above all, making people laugh.
Nick was a gifted composer/poet. He played keyboard, guitar, and loved to sing. He won 2 notable competitions: St Joe’s Sesquicentennial competition where local elementary schools performed his composition (1984), and WGN Chicago’s all expenses paid California trip for the premiere of “Fantasmic!” in Disneyland (1992) His daughters and he created a picture book fairy tale and tape called The Magical Kingdom of WED.
Nick served as a board member for Venetian Festival and Girl Scouts of Singing Sands. He participated in Junior Achievement and clowned for Camp Leo (supported by the Lion’s Club. He was a maintenance man for People State Bank before working at St. Joseph Public Schools and a Carpenter by trade (helping completely renovate his and Shirley’s home). Nick was also a dependable blood donor.
Nick will be deeply missed by his loving wife Shirley; daughters, Christy Auringer and Andrea (Patrick) Jordan; grandchildren, Arianna Auringer James Nicholas and Paul Jordan; brothers, John (Dorie) Auringer, Paul (Kelley) Auringer, and Tom (Nancy) Auringer; brother in-law Don Russell and sister-in-law Karen Hartman as well as multiple nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by; his parents James (Joanne) Auringer and in laws John (Barbara) Russell, brother, Daniel (Janie) Auringer and brother-in-law Kenneth (Margaret) Russell.
Memorial Contributions
Camp Leo (St. Joe Lion's Club)
Pathway Global Methodist Church
Service Details
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