Thomas B. Mance

Thomas B. Mance, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev Catherine Balk of St. Peter's United Church of Christ officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may call from 5:00 til 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Volunteer Association of Lakeland Continuing Care Center in St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign the Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Tom was born March 15, 1936 in Irwin, Pennsylvania to Emil & Florine (Garlow) Mance. He graduated from Irwin High School in 1954. Tom served his country in the United States Army. He was employed by G.C. Murphy Co. for ten years, managing various locations. It was when he transferred to the St. Joseph store that he met his future bride, Gloria Lodyga. They were married on August 2, 1962 in Odessa, Texas. Tom retired from Sears Roebuck & Company, Paint Department in Benton Harbor in February 1999, after 35 years. He was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ where he was very active in Church activities, and was currently the President of the Church Board. He was a member and past president of the Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club and was currently serving as Tail Twister. He was active in various Lions Club activities including Camp Leo, White Cane Drive, Mint Sales, and Toys for Tots campaign. Tom played Santa Claus for many years in downtown St. Joseph and at Lakeland Continuing Care Center, where he had volunteered for 15 years and served as President of the volunteer association. In his spare time, Tom enjoyed woodworking and visiting Arts & Craft shows with his wares, and visiting with his coffee buddies every morning at his favorite hangouts. He never met a stranger and always had a joke or story to tell. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Tom is survived by his wife Gloria; his son Tim (Sue) Mance of Coloma; his daughter Teresa (Darrell) Stevens of St. Joseph; three grandchildren-Tim Mance II, Jacque Mance, & Ryan Stevens; his brother Edwin Mance of Winston-Salem, NC; two sisters-Ruth Mance of Irwin, PA, Emily (John) Knor of N. Huntingdon, PA; and his brother-in-laws & sister-in-laws, nephews & nieces from Gloria's family. He was preceded in death by his parents.