Joseph Kella

Joseph Kella, 89 of Benton Harbor, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Terry Schneider officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Scottdale United Methodist Church or Lakeland Hospice. Those wishing to share a memory of Joseph may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Joseph was born December 30, 1922 in Fountain, MI to John & Sophia (Yiknuvicte) Kella. He served his country in the United States Army from 1943 until 1945. On October 21, 1945 he married Beatrice Haskins in St. Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter for the Local Union 898 for many years. He was a member of the Stevensville American Legion. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, tractors, wood working, fishing and hunting. Joseph is survived by his wife Beatrice Kella of Benton Harbor; son Daniel (Nancy) Kella of Asheville, NC; daughter Elizabeth (Bo) Kella of Sweden; son Matthew Kella of Kalamazoo, MI; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two brothers George Kella of Jackson, MI and Charles Kella of Muskegon, MI; many nieces and nephews and friends. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, son Joseph “Ted” Kella and siblings Pete, Paul, Helen, Julia, and Tony.