Thomas Lynn Sharai

Thomas Lynn Sharai, 75, of Stevensville, passed away Monday, February 24, 2014 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 3, 2014 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor with Father William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating.  Friends may visit with the family Sunday, March 2, 2014 from 2:00 until 5:00 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Liturgical Prayers recited at 4:30 pm.  Memorials may be made to North Lincoln Baseball Softball Association (NLBSA).  Those wishing to share a memory of Tom online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Tom was born August 4, 1938 in Benton Harbor to Thomas & Dorothy (Niccum) Sharai.  On September 16, 1961, he married Sharon Hartman at St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor.  Tom loved his family, hunting and fast pitch softball.   He enjoyed going on regular hunting trips with his family and friends and passed his hunting skills on to his sons and then on to his grandsons. Tom was also an avid ball player his entire life and passed his passion for ball on to his children and grandchildren.  He even made sure to teach all of his girls how to throw his famous knuckleball.  In 1983, Tom began a 30 year career in the agricultural business where he loved his farming customers and considered them all great friends.  Tom is survived by his wife Sharon; daughters Elizabeth (Robert) Bacigal and Jill Rankin (Fiancé Ken Baushke); son Matthew Sharai; eight grandchildren Zeke, Zeb (Sarah), Regan, Ian, Maggie, Zachary, Kaylee and Mia; his mother Dorothy Sharai.  He was preceded in death by his father Thomas and sons Thomas, Timothy and Peter.