Arthur E. Rochau

Arthur E. Rochau, 91, of Stevensville, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, with Rev. Gerald Schroer & Rev. Brett Ehlke officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda, with Military Rites performed by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may call from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Art’s Guestbook online may do so at www.starks.menchinger.com. Art was born February 23, 1920 in Stevensville to Henry & Huldina (Tober) Rochau. He served his country in the United States Army during WWII under the direction of General George Patton in the European Theater. On September 30, 1944, he married the former Bernadine Brunke at St. Paul’s in Stevensville. Beginning in 1945, Art owned and operated his fruit farm, which was founded by his grandfather in the 1890’s in Baroda Township. He served as Baroda Township Treasurer for seventeen years beginning in the late 50’s, was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and a member of Stevensville American Legion Post #568. He and Bernadine enjoyed spending winters in Bradenton, Florida for the last twenty years. Art is survived by his wife Bernadine; two sons-Craig A. (Nina) Rochau of St. Joseph, Kim C. (Susan) Rochau of Birmingham, MI; his granddaughter Natalie (Stephen) Goveia of St. Joseph, great-granddaughter Alina Goveia; his sister Irene (Earl) Krieger of St. Joseph; and his brother-in-law Clyde (Esther) Brunke of Sebring, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents.