Harry T. Piehl

Harry T. Piehl, 87, formerly of St. Joseph and Holland, MI, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday October 1, 2009 at the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 12-2 p.m. on Monday October 5, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. James Boer officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Harry was born on November 1, 1921 in St. Joseph to Fred and Caroline Piehl (Fechner). He was an original Pine Street “Sand Rabbit” from the Silver Beach neighborhood who took pleasure in watching beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan. He attended Trinity Lutheran School, graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1940 and attended Pennsylvania State College while serving as an airplane mechanic in the US Army Air Corps in 1943-1944. He married Esther Margaret Kelm on December 24, 1942. Together they raised two children, Robert and Betty. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before Esther passed away on April 16, 2005. Harry’s love, care and devotion to his beloved wife through her struggle with Alzheimer’s will always be remembered. Harry worked at Remington-Rand from 1945-1958, at Benton Harbor Abstract and Title Co. from 1958-1964, at Whirlpool Corporation from 1964-1974, and retired from Philips Engineering in 1999. While living most of his life in St. Joseph, Harry was an active member of the First Church of God where he was an usher, choir member, soloist and served on numerous church boards and committees. Harry was a hard worker and a cheerful and willing helper. While providing for his family, he also built two of the family homes in his “spare time” as well as a home for his in-laws. Passing his skills to the next generation, he provided much help and guidance to his son in the building of Bob’s home in Baroda. There was virtually nothing broken that Harry could not fix, whether for himself, his family, friends or extended family. He always kept his mind occupied and a crossword puzzle could always be found in his shirt pocket for spare moments. Harry will always be remembered for his love of Snoopy and Peanuts comic strips and for his creative Christmas trees, which sometimes appeared to be growing through the roof or poking through a “broken” picture window or growing downward from the ceiling of his home on Veronica Drive. Harry is survived by his daughter Betty Ulrich (Marty) of Ft. Wayne, IN, and son Robert Piehl (Myrna) of Baroda. He was the grandfather of four, Caroline Richardson (Brian) of Rockford, MI, Stephanie Rankin (Tom) of West Bloomfield, MI, Matthew and Michael Ulrich of Anderson, IN; and great-grandfather of four, Jaime and Jack Richardson and Brandon and Emily Rankin. Those awaiting him in heaven include his parents Fred and Caroline Piehl (Fechner), his beloved wife Esther, his infant son David, his siblings Wanda Griechen, August Piehl, Emil Piehl, Erna Remus, Elsie Ladwig and Frederick Piehl. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Faith Christian Reformed Church, 85 W. 26th Street, Holland, MI 49423 or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.