Roland Lee Hambleton

Roland Lee Hambleton, 82, of St. Joseph, departed this life to be with the Lord, surrounded by his family, February 16, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, with Military Rites to follow, conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday, with a Service of Remembrance at 7:30 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to sign Roland’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Roland was born January 17, 1932 in St. Joseph to Lee Fuller-Dad, (John Hambleton-Step Dad) & Nadine Rice-Mom. Roland was a veteran of the US Navy in the Korean War. He loved talking about the Navy where he was a 3rd Class Petty Officer. Roland retired from GM Corp. in Kalamazoo as a tool maker after 33.3 years in 1998. On November 2, 2007, he married the former Carol Blasy Schlender in St. Joseph. He was a hard worker and handy man that had a lust for life. He loved riding his motorcycle, hunting, tending to his flower and vegetable gardens, dancing & photography. Roland is survived by his wife Carol; his children Rhonda Brink of Stevensville, Wendy (Joe) Stewart of Benton Harbor, Todd Hambleton of Lawrence, and step-children-Michael (Ann) Schlender, Dawn (Mike) Charleston, Michelle (David) Foster, Kimberly (Rich) Burns; eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and 6 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Joan Hambleton, son Bruce Hambleton of Lawrence, Laura Hambleton of Lawrence, and his brother Jerry Hambleton.