Harold H. Pedde

Harold H. Pedde, 86, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Colfax & Kline Ave, Benton Harbor, with Rev. Jeremy Laitinen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to sign Harold’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Harold was born May 14, 1926 in Benton Harbor to Edmund & Alvina (Luttke) Pedde. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1944 and joined the US Army, serving his country during WWII. On June 24, 1950, he married the former Loretta Kniebes in Benton Harbor. Harold was employed for many years at Producer’s Creamery in Benton Harbor as a milkman. He finished his working career at Whirlpool Corp. in St. Joseph, working on the assembly line. Harold was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed tending to his many Cactus Plants, African Violets, & Geraniums. He enjoyed fishing the many inland lakes in the area, and was never too busy to help someone in need. Harold is survived by his sister Anabelle Tinberg of South Bend; his brother Ervin “Sam” Pedde of St. Joseph; his Godchildren-Donna (Jim Pallas) Tinberg of Northville, MI, Larry Podjan of Benton Harbor, numerous nieces & nephews; and three life-long friends-Ed Palma, Art Podjan, & William Rauh. Harold was preceded in death by his wife Loretta on August 20, 2008, and five brothers-William, Edmund, Edwin, Norman & Ernest Pedde.