James W. Wirth

James W. Wirth, 87, of Benton Harbor, passed away Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Jonathan Kruschel officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 10:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran School or the Wirth Family. Those wishing to sign Jim’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jim was born May 23, 1925 in St. Joseph to Wencel & Katherina (Haas) Wirth. On April 28, 1951 he married the former Laura Bush in Benton Harbor. Jim was employed at Auto Specialties in St. Joseph, retiring after thirty-five years. He also tended to the family fruit farm in Benton Township which his father purchased in 1945. In 1955, Jim moved his family to the farm and it became home. He was also known for doing tax preparation for forty plus years. In his free time, Jim enjoyed woodworking and playing cribbage with family & friends. He taught his granddaughter Stacey to play as well. He cherished the time spent with his family. Jim is survived by his wife Laura; his children-Wendel (Barbara) Wirth & Gary Wirth of Benton Harbor, Linda (Matthew) Williamson of St. Joseph; three grandchildren-Erick Williamson, Stacey (John) Howe, Lindsey Williamson; and three great-grandchildren-Alana, Isaiah & Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two daughters-in-law-Sonya & Denise Wirth.