Donald E. Ames

Donald E. Ames, 80, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, September 6, 2012, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 2:30 P.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Friends may call from 1:00 until 2:30 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, to honor his daughter, Audrey. In keeping with Don’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Those wishing to sign Don’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Don was born October 23, 1931 in Benton Harbor to Wendall & Adah (Secor) Ames. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School and attended Benton Harbor Community College. On January 1, 1977, he married the former Carolyn Shearer Hollomon in St. Joseph. Don was a caring person who really enjoyed being with his family and friends. Most recently a February trip to Arizona with his buddy Bill Burrows was a wonderful chance to see his kids & grandkids. He was a member of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Rotary Club and enjoyed coordinating the Urban /Rural day recognizing our local farming community. Photography was his real passion. Don started taking pictures while in high school and made it his life-long career. He operated Ames Photography in Benton Harbor & St. Joseph, retiring only recently. His photos were in every home in Berrien County by the way of wedding photos, senior pictures, family portraits and the Cook Plant calendar. From the time they broke ground until this past year he was contracted to take photos in and around the Cook Plant. He loved flying and taking aerial photos. After he was no longer to fly himself, he contracted a friend to take him up so he might continue his aerial work. A good excuse to go flying. Don is survived by his wife Carolyn; his children-Esther Ames of Tuscon, AZ, Bruce (Kathy) Ames of Gold Canyon, AZ; Joseph Hollomon of Grand Rapids, MI; four grandchildren-Johnathan Burgoyne, Gretchen Warnekros, Francie Warnekros, Rachel Eickstaedt; five great-grandchildren; and his brother Gail (Delores) Peapples of Summerville, SC. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Audrey Warnekros and his brother Keith Ames.