John Hardenberg

John Hardenberg, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2006, at his residential care facility. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 P.M. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Friends wishing to visit with the family may do so between 11:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be later at Fort Custer Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans of America. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. John was born in Zeeland, MI, on June 28, 1917, to Grace (Van Dyke) Vanderstelt and Henry Hardenberg, immigrants of the Netherlands. John made 32 voyages across the oceans while serving as an Army Surgical Technician onboard the U.S.S. Blanche F. Sigman during WWII. He was awarded the American Theatre Ribbon and the European African Middle Theater Ribbon with two bronze stars. He retired after 30 years as a supervisor at Modern Plastics Corporation. In the post-war years, John was passionate about his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He also raced stock cars at Millburg, Hartford, and other area dirt tracks. He was a great racing fan and a faithful spectator at the Hartford Motor Speedway until the age of 85. His favorite drivers were “360 Jimmy Jackson” and Mike Turner. He was passionate about Lake Michigan, her beaches, and power boating/sailing. He loved his many trips to Las Vegas and wintering in Florida. He was a member of the VFW and served as a Chaplain in the American Legion Post 105 for two decades. John is survived by his daughter, Linda Hardenberg Diaz of Coloma; son, Larry John Hardenberg of Benton Harbor; grandsons, Andres Antonio Diaz and Alessandro Michael Diaz of Chicago; brothers, Martin Hardenberg, 98, of Grand Rapids and James Hardenberg, 93, of Largo, FL. Other survivors include nieces, “Sammy” June Jollay, Grace Ann Massar, Betty Emery, and Donna Hardenberg; and nephews, Bruce & Terry Hardenberg. He will be sorely missed by his many friends, especially his comrades of the American Legion Post 105. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death his wife, Joan Marie (Gauthier) Hardenberg; daughter, Lisa Marie Hardenberg Koern; long-time companion, Edna J. Bayman; and sisters, Alice Piersma and Christine Ramaker.