Dorothy Zielke

Dorothy Eleanor Menchinger Zielke, 88, formerly of Benton Harbor and Fort Myers, Florida, died Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at the Whitcomb Towers, with her son, Mark, by her side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held, Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, with the Rev. Robert Braman, Ph.D., officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, February 5, 2010 from 5 to 8 pm at Starks –Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to First Congregation Church United Church of Christ, St. Joseph. Dorothy was born April 10, 1921, to Adolph and Helen (Hetke) Menchinger in Benton Harbor. On June 20, 1948, she married Amiel W. Zielke. Dorothy and Amiel made their home in the same Fairplain residence in which Dorothy was raised. In later years they wintered in Fort Myers, FL. After Amiel's death, in 2006, Dorothy continued to maintain her family home and to spend the winter months in Florida. Dorothy and Amiel shared a blessed life together and were devoted to their family: son Mark, daughter-in-law Janet Lee, and beloved grandchildren Mark, Jr., and Elizabeth. The couple never missed an opportunity to cheer on Mark and Elizabeth at their sporting and school events, and they enjoyed having the family visit them in Florida annually and also playing Mom and Dad while Janet and Mark traveled. Dorothy enjoyed travels and was an avid golfer, bowler, and gardener and enjoyed socializing with all her friends. She was an elegant, gracious, proud and kind woman who touched many lives. She will be dearly missed. Dorothy is survived by her son, Mark (Janet Lee Globensky) of St. Joseph, and grandchildren, Mark, Jr., of Monterey, CA, and Elizabeth, of Carmel-by-the Sea, CA. Two brothers and two sisters also survive: Edwin (Clara) of Sarasota, FL; Ernest (Irene), of Chapin, SC; Mildred Pfeifer of Sartell, MN; and Beverly (Hazen) Harner, of Eau Claire, MI. In addition to her husband, Amiel, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Helen Menchinger, grandparents, Joseph and Catherine Menchinger, and a sister, Marian.