Johann Buckenberger

Johann Buckenberger, 94, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, August 7, 2006 at Fountainview of Lowell, in Lowell, Michigan. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held at 9:30 A.M. Friday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville, with Rev. Gerald Schroer officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-7 P.M. Thursday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Holland Home, in Grand Rapids or St. Paul’s Lutheran School Tuition Assistance. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Buckenberger was born August 6, 1912 in Neufreudental, Russia to Johann & Katherine (Obelenda) Buckenberger. Johann immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1953. On August 12, 1961, he married the former Marta Ischler in St. Joseph. John worked in the building trades all of his life, as a brick mason, in construction, and most recently as a painter. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and enjoyed tending to his flower & vegetable gardens. Mr. Buckenberger is survived by two daughters-Rosemary (Greg) Winicki of Rockford, MI, Gisela Ritter of St. Joseph; four grandchildren-Chris (Eric) Boyajian of Coloma, Kari (Eric) Nichols of Coloma, Kendra & Austin Winicki of Rockford; two great-grandchildren-Emily & Brandon Nichols; and a sister Katherine in Germany. He was preceded in death by his wife Marta on September 11, 1997, and by several brothers & sisters in Germany.