Richard Boelcke

Richard Boelcke, 76, Stevensville, passed away, August 2, 2010 at Lakeland Continuing Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 6, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Msgr. Eugene Sears and Deacon Mike Gallagher Officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph-Lincoln Twp. Senior Center and the Twin Cities Area Catholic School Fund. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Richard was born on July 19, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Albert and Lucille (Hack) Boelcke. He graduated from Benton Harbor High school in 1952. Richard married Louise (Strebig) Boelcke on June 21, 1952. He started working at the age of 16 at Sears and Roebuck in Benton Harbor. He was the founder of Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning in 1963 and retired from there at the age of 63. Richard served on the Lincoln Twp. Fire department for 34 years. He was Fire Chief for 6 of those years. The Exchange Club of Benton Harbor & St. Joseph honored him with Fire Fighter of the year award in 1990. The Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce honored him Business person of the year in 1996. He served for 22 years on the Lincoln Charter Township Board of Review. He was Scoutmaster for Troop 103 at the Stevensville United Methodist Church. He was instrumental in having St. Joseph Catholic Annex built on Roosevelt Road in Stevensville. Survived by his wife Louise (Weazel) of Stevensville, three daughters Diana(Chris) Davis of Stevensville, Mary Louise (Andrew) Vanis of Albuquerque, NM, Vickie (Mahmoud) El-Hage of Dearborn MI,; a son David (Diane) Boelcke of Stevensville; seven grandchildren Steve (Sandra) Petznick, Abass (Haifa) El-Hage, Zianab El-Hage, Hamzi El-Hage, Emily & Randi Boelcke, Mirek & Avalon Vanis; one great grandchild Nathan Petznick; two sisters Marilyn Mort of Eau Claire and Marie Jeffries of Eau Claire; a brother Larry (Linda ) Boelcke of Stevensville and Lizzy his dog. Preceded in death by his daughter Jacquelyn Petznick on March, 17 1975.