Alfred Elmer Albrecht

Alfred Albrecht, beloved husband, father and grandfather, and friend to many, fell asleep in the Lord Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland, with his beloved wife Irene at his side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11am Friday July 20th, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market St., St. Joseph with Pastor Thomas Batsky officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit from 5p.m. until 8p.m. July 19th, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph or at the church Friday from 10am until 11am. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Those wishing to share a memory of Alfred online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Alfred was born September 16, 1926 in St. Joseph, MI to Gottlieb and Alvina (Selent) Albrecht, who immigrated here from the Volinia area of Russia, and Alfred grew up speaking German as well as English. Alfred was one of 7 children and grew up near Silver Beach. Alfred graduated from St. Joseph High School and served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. After his military service Alfred returned to St. Joseph and began working for the Williams Brothers Paper Box Factory as a Warehouse Manager. While working at Williams Brothers, Alfred met Irene Lehman, who also worked at the Williams Brothers Paper Box Factory. Irene and Alfred were married May 15th, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. Alfred retired from Williams Brothers after many years of service and also worked at Crystal Springs Florist, where Irene was employed for 50 years, working in the greenhouse. Alfred and Irene are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph, where Alfred served on numerous boards and sang in the Senior Choir for many years. He loved woodworking, camping, serving his church community and his family always came first. Alfred is survived by his wife Irene Albrecht of St. Joseph; sons Dennis (Danette) Albrecht of Sodus and Philip (Mary) Albrecht of Muskegon; granddaughters Amanda (Chad) Albrecht-Kuney of Lawrenceville, GA; Kathryn (Bobby) Noles of Sodus, and Kristen (Brandon) Flowers of Stevensville; three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 3 sisters and his granddaughter Heather Albrecht Herman. The family wants to thank the staff of Caretel Inn for their assistance and friendship to Alfred over the last six months.