Ike E Hampton

Ike E Hampton, 89, of Stevensville, passed away Thursday, February 26, 2015 at Woodland Terrace. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 5, 2015 at St. Bernards Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor with Father Williams Jacobs and Monsignor Eugene Sears officiating with burial to follow at North Shore Memory Gardens.  Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, March 4, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  Memorial donations may be made to the Readiness Center or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to sign Ike’s memory book may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ike was born December 30, 1925 in Weidman, Michigan, to Tuff and Edna (Thompson) Hampton.  On June 23, 1951 he married Janet Jeffirs in Watervliet, Michigan.  Ike owned and operated I.E. Hampton & Associates for many years and proudly served his country in the United States Navy.  He was a member of the St. John’s / Bernards Catholic Church, St. Joseph Rotary, Berrien Hills Country Club, a former member of the Benton Harbor School Board, Young Life, American Legion, a proud brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and the R.O.M.E.O. (Retired Old Men Eating Out) group.  He was a dedicated family man and an avid Michigan State University fan. He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters Julie (Dr. Alan) Smiy of Stevensville and Joyce (Frank) Kirschner of Avon, CO; sons Jeffery (Vera) Hampton of Royal Oak, MI and Jerry (Pam) Hampton of Long Grove, IL; grandchildren Crystal and Brandon Hampton, Katie (Lei) Tong, Becky and Scott Hampton, Stephanie and Michael Smiy, Christopher and Natalie Smiy and James, Jacob and Jodie Kirschner and nephew Dick (Linda) Wiley. Ike was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gladys Wiley.