Frank E. Kitchell

Frank E. Kitchell Jr., 86 of St. Joseph passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at his home in the comfort of his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:00 A.M. Saturday, November 20, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Msgr. Sears officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma with military rites. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with the rosary recited at 7:30 P.M. Friday, November 19, 2010 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Kitchell family. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Frank was born December, 25 1923 in Three Oaks, MI to Frank & Gladys (Chevrie) Kitchell. He joined the United States Marine Corps on January 7, 1942 and was honorably discharged on December 12, 1945. On July 3, 1948 he married Lorraine Migala in St. Joseph. Frank was a foreman for Auto Specialties in Benton Harbor for many years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, painting, music, playing cards and always joking with family and friends. Frank is survived by his wife Lorraine Kitchell of St. Joseph; daughter Janice Gifford of Kalamazoo, MI; son David (Phyllis) Kitchell of Benton Harbor; three grandchildren Colin Gifford, Jennifer Smith and Byron Gifford; seven great grandchildren Justin Gifford, Kendrell Dorrington, Michael Gifford, Philip Gifford, C.J. Gifford, Ethan Gifford and Evan Gifford; two sisters Nadine Rose of Buchanan, MI and Ida Lou Fox of Three Oaks, MI. Frank was preceded in death by his parents great grandson Jeremy Gifford and brother Merill Kitchell.