Eugene P. Milnikel

Eugene P. Milnikel, 95, of St. Joseph, was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Thursday, October 31, 2013 in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, November 4, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market St., St. Joseph, with Rev. Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School. Those wishing to sign Eugene’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Eugene was born March 22, 1918 in St. Joseph to Paul and Natalie (Hettig) Milnikel. He graduated from Trinity Lutheran School in 1932, from St. Joseph High School in 1936, and from Valparaiso University in 1940 with a bachelor degree in business administration. Eugene started his career after college with New Products Corp. in Benton Harbor. He joined the United States Army in 1942, serving the 9th Army during WWII as an aerial photo interpreter in the European Theater, being honorably discharged in 1945 as Staff Sergeant. Upon his return Eugene began employment with Paramount Die Casting in Stevensville. On February 12, 1949, he married the former Marion Stockman at Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph. Eugene worked at Paramount until 1967, when he and Bill Rohn, his classmate from 8th grade at Trinity thru Valparaiso University, purchased Wolverine Metal Stamping Inc. in Benton Harbor. In 1976 they moved the business to St. Joseph, continuing a partnership that was richly blessed, and in which they daily demonstrated their common faith in their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, until their retirement in December of 1999. Eugene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and held a variety of leadership positions with the church and school. He was a former member of the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club and served on the Valparaiso University President’s Advisory Council. Eugene’s faith and love of the Lord were evident in all aspects of his life. Eugene is survived by his wife Marion; his son Tom (Jenifer) Milnikel of St. Joseph; two grandchildren-Sara Milnikel & Paul Milnikel; his brother Herbert (Eleanor) Milnikel of Stevensville; two sisters-Laraine Taylor of St. Joseph, Norma (Robert) Lutzinger of Goodyear, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings-Alfred & Edgar Milnikel, Ruth Teibel & an infant sister, and his long-time classmate, friend and business partner Bill Rohn. “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10