Al Carl Ratter

Al Ratter, 83, of St. Joseph MI passed away on November 8, 2014 at his home. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Lake Michigan Christian Center, 9955 Church St. Bridgman, MI with Pastor Karyn Olson officiating. Friends may visit from 11:00 A.M. until the time of service Saturday at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to King’s Kids Village Orphanage in care of Encouragers Unlimited Ministries, PO Box 1436, Danville, IL  61834. Please include Al Ratter for KKV on the memo line. Those wishing to sign Al’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Al was born April 12, 1931 in Benton Harbor, MI to Carl W. & Emma (Lutz). He was a 1949 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. He joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country as a medic during the Korean War Era. Al wed Arlene Eldridge on September 5, 1959 in Benton Harbor, MI.  He worked as a mechanical engineer at VM Corp and LECO, a Cool-line Consultant at KitchenAid and he and Arlene also owned and operated Jannert’s Greenhouse and Garden Center in Baroda. Al loved golfing, fishing and listening to Big Band and Jazz music. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Benton Harbor for many years, where he sang in the choir. He is survived by his son John (Amy) Ratter of Grand Haven, MI; daughter Karla (Charlie) Jeltema of Grand Rapids, MI; seven grandchildren; eleven great- grandchildren; sister Eleanor Stern of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law Barb Ratter of Bridgman and eight loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife Arlene Ratter in January 2001, brothers Arnie Ratter and Hal Ratter, nephew Paul Ratter, his mother-in-law Gladys Eldridge, and brother-in-law Paul Stern.