Joseph I. Marcus

Joseph I. Marcus, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, June 02, 2006 at his home. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at B’nai Shalom Cemetery in Benton Harbor with graveside military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Mr. Marcus was born May 23, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to Martin & Fannie (Grill) Marcus. He served his country in the United States Army Air Force during WWII attaining the rank of Master Seargent. Joe served as a glider, observation & transport pilot, and was training in the B-17 bomber when the war ended. On May 27, 1945, he married the former Lorraine Weinhouse in Chicago. Joe was employed at Bendix in St. Joseph, retiring in 1988 after 35 years of employment. He was an active member of Temple B’nai Shalom, a member of the United Auto Workers Local #383 where he served as a steward and officer of the bargaining committee. Joseph was a member of the American Guild of Variety Artist Actors and the Screen Actors Guild. He has had parts in many movies, and commercials on TV and Radio. His biggest thrill was to have a speaking roll with Paul Neuman. Joe was a volunteer at the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, and was an active participant in marches against social injustice in Benton Harbor, Washington DC, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit. Joe invented and received a patent on December 17, 1991 for the LaMask, which is a ladies and men’s beauty aid. He made many friends while visiting Israel, Hong Kong and China while he was researching and developing the product. Mr. Marcus is survived by two daughters-Sheila (Paul) Rosenthal of Moline, IL, Michelle Marcus of Chicago, his son Martin Marcus of Concord, CA; two grandchildren-Michael Rosenthal of Moline, IL, Melissa Rosenthal of Hollywood, FL; his brother David (Ruth) Marcus of Chicago; and two sisters-Clara Kornfeld of Chicago, and Dr. Cyril Ramer of San Francisco, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lorraine on January 3, 1998, his daughter Susan Marcus-Andrews in July 1988, two brothers-Nathan & Harry Marcus, and two sisters Miriam Marcus & Minette Bobrick.