Walter William Rutter

Walter W. Rutter, 89, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Spectrum Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the Baroda American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to the “Gary Sinise Foundation” or “Homes for Our Troops”. Those wishing to leave a message of condolence for the family may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Walter was born on March 10, 1929 in Benton Harbor, MI to Warren & Olive (Bishop) Rutter. He graduated high school from Benton Harbor in 1949 after serving his country in the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marines from 1945 until he was honorably discharged in 1947. On April 14, 1951 he wed Bonnie Menzer in South Bend, IN. Walter worked for Remington Rand in the 1950’s for a few years before he moved to Albuquerque, NM to work for Starline Printing Corp as a supervisor. Returning to Benton Harbor a few years later he went to work at Burch Printers, lastly he was a semi-truck driver for Manley Brothers before retiring. He was a life member of Lest We Forget and the NRA. He started, and was very involved with the Cycle Conservation Club and was a Member of the MVPA (Military Vehicle Preservation Association). In his spare time he enjoyed collecting various pieces of military memorabilia, and spending time with his family at his cabin that he built by hand up North. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Bonnie; daughter Sandy (Phil Gzym) Rutter of Stevensville; sons, John Rutter of Kauai and Robert (Colleen) Rutter of Benton Harbor; grandchildren Randy Nalepa, Holli Rutter, Ryan (Anita) Rutter; great-grandchildren, Skylar Nalepa, Cassandra Nalepa and Tanner Rutter; brother Edwin (Peggy) Rutter of Benton Harbor and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Warren ‘Pat’ Rutter, Lyle Rutter and Lindsay Rutter.