Howard Merchant

Howard Merchant, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2012 in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, December 28, 2012 at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. Dr. Robert Braman officiating. Friends may visit from 1:30 pm until 3:00 pm Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service or the donor’s choice. Those wishing to share a memory of Howard online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Howard was born December 24, 1929 in St. Joseph, MI to Leonard & Sylvia (Shedler) Merchant. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1948 and then from Kalamazoo College in 1952. Howard served his country in the United States Army. On November 24, 1951 he married Georgia Adler in St. Joseph. He worked for Whirlpool Corporation as an engineer for over 30 years, retiring in 1989. Howard received the Elisha Gray II Award from Whirlpool Corporation and was awarded several patents. He was a mentor to many young people he worked with. Howard was a member of the St. Joseph Elks and First Congregational Church. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, gardening and was an avid Disney fan. Howard is survived by his wife Georgia of St. Joseph; sons Mike (Heidi) Merchant of St. Joseph and Tom (Glen Johnson) Merchant of Grand Rapids; daughter Susan (Kevin) Karnik of Monroe; five grandchildren Jessica (Jay) Heydenburg, Eric Karnik, Ben Karnik, Melanie Merchant, and Rebecca Merchant; three great grandchildren Zoe Karnik, Max Karnik, and Gavin Heydenburg and many nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, brother L.W. Merchant and sister Dorothy Johnson.