Sandra Wallace

Sandra L. “SanDee” Wallace, 76, of St. Joseph, passed away, Tuesday, August 23, 2016.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5:00 P.M. Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Private burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph.  Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan.  Those wishing to sign SanDee’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  SanDee was born June 22, 1940 in Chicago to Joseph & Elizabeth (Sukupchak) Hirmer. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1958 and attended Lake Michigan College.  SanDee was employed at the Herald Press in St. Joseph for several years in the early 60’s until she gained employment with WSJM as a reporter.  She joined the News Palladium in Benton Harbor in 1968 and made that her career, retiring as Assistant Focus Editor in 2008 from the Herald Palladium.  For the last several years, SanDee wrote a monthly column in Mailmax, featuring cultural events & animal rights activities in the area.  SanDee was an award winning journalist, receiving the Michigan Presswoman of The Year.  She enjoyed reading and crafts, loved animals and was a supporter of the Humane Society.   SanDee is survived by her son Joe (Holly) Wallace of Buchanan, MI, and several extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents.