Bernard Gallert

Bernard “Ben” Gallert, 84, of Benton Harbor, MI passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 9, 2017 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Rd., in Sodus with Pastor Robert Duehlmeyer officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sodus or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to Share a memory of Ben online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Ben was born January 30, 1932 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Edward and Pauline (Kraklau) Gallert. He attended Benton Harbor High School before joining the Air Force where he was a mechanic for B-36 Bombers during the Korean War. On January 6, 1951 he married the love of his life Dolores Fulks at St. Matthews’s Church in Benton Harbor, MI. Ben worked at Canteen until he retired and was also the owner of Gallert’s Grocery in Coloma for many years. He was an avid sports fan especially the Cubs and Lions. He was so happy to see the Cubs win the World Series. He coached baseball for the Fair Plain baseball where his son and all his nephews played for him, winning several championships. He was also a wicked Euchre player. Ben was a member of the Stevensville American Legion post 568, where he served as past commander for two terms, as well as serving on the church board at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for many years. He had a tremendous love for family, God and country.  Ben is survived by his son Bernard ( Darlene) Gallert Jr., of Benton Harbor; daughters Amy (Matthew) Schlichter of Stevensville, Annette (Clifford) Eubanks of Eau Claire, and Alisa (Dana) Beilman of Stevensville, and special “son” Joel Corder of Punta Gorda Florida; eleven grandchildren Sarena, Rebecca, Heather, Joshua, Jason, Hillary, Holly, Benjamin, Rory, Ava, and Gavin; seven great-grandchildren; sister Irma DeLong; sister-in-law Esther Schultz; brother-in-law Fritz Schultz; and loyal dog Chiquita. Ben was preceded in death by his parents; wife Dolores Gallert; daughter Anita Gallert; sister Ida Davis and brother Leroy Gallert.