Alfred Mantei

Alfred “Bambi” Mantei, 71, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Saturday, December 6, 2014 at Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids, MI.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 12, 2014 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor with Fr. William Jacobs Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with prayers recited at 7:30 P.M. Thursday, December 11, 2014 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to North Lincoln Baseball & Softball Association (NLBSA, P.O. Box 11, St. Joseph, MI 49085). Those wishing to share a memory of Alfred online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Alfred was born March 18, 1943 in Benton Harbor, MI to Erwin and Mary (Radler) Mantei. He graduated from St. Johns High School in 1961. On September 22, 1962 he married Carol Carlbom in Benton Harbor. In 1961, Alfred was drafted by the Minnesota Twins where he was pitcher for the minor league team. Alfred worked for Whirlpool Corporation for many years in which he also retired.  Known as “Bambi” to many, he was actively involved with North Lincoln and St Joe baseball teams for many years. His passion for baseball allowed him to coach and mentor young baseball players, watching them grow into amazing athletes. His other hobbies included playing cards with friends and games on his cell phone.  His biggest joy came from spending time with his family, in which he was able to do so daily. It was truly important for Papa Bambi to be with his grandchildren and create lifelong memories of laughter and love. His humbleness, big heart and kind spirit is the strong legacy his family is blessed with.  Alfred is survived by his children Debbie (Jim) Puckett-Groat of St. Joseph, Mike (Laurie) Mantei of St. Joseph, Marcia (Richard) Valha of Stevensville and Melissa (Phil) Sobottke of St. Joseph; grandchildren Justin Puckett, Austin & Bailey Groat, Allison, Alex, Andrew, Adam Sobottke, Emilia & Kolby Mantei, Stephanie (Valha) Fischer, and Richie & Tommy Valha; great grandchildren Lola & Shay Valha; brother Erwin (Doris) Mantei; brother-in-law Eddy Carlbom; and many nieces and nephews.  Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, and wife Carol in 1999.