Kristopher Stock Kimmerly

Kristopher “Kip” Stock Kimmerly, 53, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Chaplain Michael Rapp officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 5 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Kip was born on June 11, 1963 in St. Joseph to Allen & Maxine (Stock) Kimmerly. Kip attended St. Joseph Public Schools, and South Georgia Boys Academy in Tifton Georgia. Kip then moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia where he was a Dock Master. He enjoyed years of captaining, and delivering numerous yachts. Kip returned to Southwest Michigan and was employed by Michigan Fruit Canners where he developed many long time relationships. Following, Kip joined the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, where once again he touched many people’s lives. Kip retired after 23 years of service. On August 7, 2005, he married Julie Warmbein. Kip had a love for “toys”; his custom motorcycle and Corvette were some of his prized possessions. Kip enjoyed spending time tending to his bonsai trees & koi pond and, whenever given the chance, sun tanning, which he was a professional at. He was a proud member of the Coloma FOP #147. Kip was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame, and enjoyed watching dirt bike racing and drag racing. He was a wonderful man who was loved by all and will be missed greatly. Kip is survived by his mother, Maxine; wife, Julie; siblings, Melissa Kimmerly of Switzerland, Allen Neil Kimmerly II of Bar Harbor, ME, and Eliza (Gordon Ford) Kimmerly of St. Joseph; nephews, Dylan and Anderson Ford; nieces, Talia Kimmerly, Amy and Karen Warmbein; nephew, Kasey Warmbein; great-nephew, Lincoln Warmbein; brothers-in-law, Mark (Judy) Warmbein and Kevin (Kathryn) Warmbein; and step-mother, Rosalie Kimmerly.