Leona Buckholtz

Leona Buckholtz, age 94, of Scottville (formerly of St. Joseph, MI) went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. The family will hold a service celebrating her life and faith in Jesus Christ at 10 AM Friday, May 2 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI with Pastor Glenn Rosenbaum officiating. Friends may visit the family Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Leona online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Leona was born on December 28, 1919, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Theodore and Eva (Zielke) Rick. On January 26, 1941 she married Eitel Buckholtz, who preceeded her in death in 1981. Leona worked with Eitel (Ike) side by side throughout their life together, including Eitel’s Bakeries. She became President of Creative Foods in Benton Harbor, MI upon his death and ran it until 1997. She then retired to a life of polka music and good friends. Leona will be remembered as a very caring person who volunteered tirelessly for her church and the Ladies Group at Grace. She had many good times watching church softball and sponsoring their teams. Her friends were life-long and she cherished all of them. Leona is survived by her son, Ronald (Patricia) of Valparaiso, IN; sister, Erna of Grand Junction, MI; and a brother Donald (Carol) of Benton Harbor. She also has one granddaughter, Christie Buckholtz of Chicago, IL. The Willowbrook Care Home of Scottville also holds a special place to the family, for their love and care of Leona.