Alan G. Darato

Alan George Darato, 53, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away suddenly on Saturday, at his home, with Maribel Aquino Clark, the love of his life, at his side. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, St. Joseph, MI. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 29, 11a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph, MI, with Msgr. Thomas Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Benton Harbor, MI. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 28, from 4:00-8:00p.m., at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. A Rosary will also be recited on Tuesday, at the funeral home, at 7:00p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in the form of a Mass, to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or to the Knights of Columbus. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guestbook, may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Alan was born May 22, 1952, in Watervliet, MI, to Dominick and Delores (Torkilsen) Darato. He was a member of the first graduating class, 1970, of Lake Michigan Catholic High School. Alan continued his education, and received his bachelors degree in Marketing, from Western Michigan University. He was outgoing, generous, and adventuresome. Alan loved sports (especially the Cubs), traveling, photography, fishing, and charitable fund raising for the Knights of Columbus. He was employed as store manager at Ridge & Kramer Auto Parts in Benton Harbor for the past 13 years. Alan was also the former owner of Dairy Korner, in St. Joseph, for 8 years. Alan was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus – 4th degree. He is survived by his mother, Delores Darato of St. Joseph; two brothers, Raymond (Lizbeth) Darato and David (Audrey) Darato, both of St. Joseph; two sisters, Bonnie (Michael) Estkowski and Christine (Christopher) Jones, also both of St. Joseph; three nieces and three nephews; aunts, cousins, and many wonderful friends. Alan is preceded in death by his father, Dominick Darato (December 3, 1993.)