Stephen R. Sizer

Stephen R. Sizer, 81, of Harbert, MI passed away Thursday, April 10, 2014 at LakelandRegionalMedicalCenter in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Harbert Community Church, 6444 Harbert Road, Sawyer, with Reverend Jay Fast officiating with military rights performed following the service. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday before the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Twin City Players or HarbertCommunityChurch.  Those wishing to sign Steve’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Steve was born March 16, 1933 in Kendallville, IN to Lawrence & Catharine (Wheeler) Sizer.  He was raised in Winnetka, IL and attended NewTrierHigh School. He spent his childhood summers in an area of Harbert called Birchwood, where family collected to enjoy the beach and Lake Michigan.  Following high school, he attended Dennison College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English.   In 1956 he entered the Air Force where he acquired the rank of Captain.  While in the Air Force, Steve trained as a pilot and served in Korea for one year in missile guidance.  He never tired of telling stories about his time in the Air Force and was a member of Lest We Forget.  In 1959 Steve went to work at Whirlpool Corporation where he stayed until 1981.  Shortly thereafter he and Steven Reed founded Marketing Partners, Inc.  He retired from Marketing Partners in 1995.  Since retirement he freely shared his marketing know-how with area non-profits and in helping his son Tim to market his restaurant, Timothy’s. Steve was a member of both the Rotary Club and the Twin City Players for many years. He received the United Way of Southwest Michigan Margaret B. Upton Volunteer Leadership Award in 2011 and, along with Carol, the Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award from Lake MichiganCollege in 2010. On September 11, 1982, he married Carol Zerler nee Moore.  Together they shared a passion for singing, performing and entertaining.  Steve was proud of his kids and grandkids and loved his life with Carol in Birchwood.  He had a zest for life and gave of himself tirelessly.  He was generous to a fault, loved his friends, a good joke, gimlets and antique cars, and was an enthusiastic volunteer with the Concours d’Eligance of Southwest Michigan. Steve is survived by his wife Carol; son Timothy Sizer (Amy Hume); daughter Tracey (James) Pickford; two granddaughters Erin Nell Pickford and Catharine Flannigan Pickford; sisters Suzanne (Albert) Chapman and Catherine Tingley; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.  He was preceded in death by his parents.