Andrew Lee Lauer

Andrew Lee Lauer, 36, of Stevensville, passed away suddenly April 27, 2010 while on vacation in Tucson, AZ. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 3:00 P.M. Wednesday at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Rd., with Rev. B. Gordon Barry officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Stevensville United Methodist Church's Sanctuary Fund. The family also encourages becoming an organ donor in Andy's memory. Those wishing to sign Andy's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Andy was born June 16, 1973 in South Bend, Indiana. He and his family moved to Stevensville in 1976. He graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1992 and attended Lake Michigan College. He was a member of the Stevensville United Methodist Church. He and his dad (Coach Dan Lauer) shared many good times and lots of laughter. Andy had a great sense of humor. After the death of his father Andy continued to be a strong support for his mother, Marilyn Lauer. He truly loved and respected everyone he knew. He saw no color differences, no ability differences and welcomed anyone who wanted to be his friend. His wish to be and organ donor epitomized his desire to help others less fortunate than himself. Despite the fact that Andy struggled with epilepsy his entire life, he never let it interfere with who he was. He was previously employed at Martins's Supermarket, beginning when it was D&W Foods and at Crown Pointe Senior Living, both of Stevensville. He volunteered coaching football for the Lakeshore Lancers. When asked if he has any siblings, he would answer that he had over 250 brothers across the county – who represented the football players his dad had coached over the years. He was an avid sports fan. He also volunteered at the Stevensville United Methodist Church whenever the need arose and for other organizations. He enjoyed going to Las Vegas. Andy was a fan of the live shows – from Blue Man Group to Cher. Another one of Andy's passions were his two Labrador Retrievers – Otis and Luke. The three spent many hours enjoying each others company. Survivors include his mother, Marilyn Lauer, Aunts: Marilynn Szecholda and Judith Perdue and cousins Doug (Sally) Perdue, Brad (Tammy) Perdue and Chris (Penny) Perdue. Preceding him in death were his father “Coach” Dan Lauer, his uncle Robert Szecholda and both sets of grandparents, Violet & Anthony Szecholda and Clyde and Arlene Lauer.