Bernard Krych

Bernard “Ben” Krych, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Fr. William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Wake Service recited at 4:30 P.M. Memorials may be made to St. John-St. Bernard Parish. Those wishing to sign Ben's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ben was born April 10, 1922 to Aloysius & Sophia (Modjires) Krych. He graduated from St. Rita's High School in Chicago, Class of 1940. On July 28, 1945 he married the former Alice Huddy in Chicago. In 1961, Ben moved his family to Southwest Michigan to take employment with Whirlpool Corporation as an aviation mechanic. He retired as chief of aviation in 1984 after 34 years. Ben was devoted to his work & aviation. He attended many an airshow and visited many an airport. Ben had other talents as well. There wasn't anything that he couldn't fix. He bought property in Decatur and built a family cottage at the Lake of the Woods which they enjoyed for many years. Ben especially enjoyed the time spent with his family. He was a very out-going person, he never met a stranger. Ben is survived by his wife Alice; three daughters-Karen (Edward) Boston of New Port Richey, FL, Linda Smith of Stevensville, Cathy Mahler of St. Joseph; six grandchildren-Steven Boston, David Boston, Sarah (Roman) Speron, Allison Smith, Andrew Mahler & Jennifer Mahler; two great-grandchildren-Lauren Boston & Abigail Speron. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Florence Rehder.