Joseph T. Aroney

Joseph “Joe” Aroney, Sr., 89, of St. Joseph, passed away January 8, 2006 at Hospice House of Holland, Holland, MI. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 14 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church Street, St. Joseph with Fr. Christian Johnston officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Stevensville with Military Honors. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Friday, from 2:00 to7:00 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Liturgical prayers will be said at 7:00 P.M. Friday. Memorials in Joe’s name may be made to Wings of Mercy, Holland, MI. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Joe was born on June 9, 1916 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to Alfonso & Filomena (Aceti) Aroney. He came from a large loving family of six brothers and four sisters. On December 15, 1938 he married Betty Dowen who preceded him in death on November 22, 2001. Joe loved to fly! After being in the Army Air Corps during WWII, he spent 48 years as a Pilot Examiner for the FAA as well as a Designated Flight Safety Representative. He was also the founder of two airlines – Miller Airlines and Michigan Air. Joe enjoyed music and spent many happy hours playing the organ while his family and friends gathered around and joined in. He truly will be missed by many. Joe is survived by his son Dennis (Jane) Aroney of Hudsonville, MI; daughter-in-law Lorraine Aroney Woodruff of Berrien Springs; five grandchildren – Mark (Keiko) Aroney, Seattle, WA, Mike (Kelly) Aroney, California, Paul Aroney, Detroit, Kim (Craig) Smith, Kalamazoo, Cheri (David) Fulmer, Tulsa, OK; five great-grandchildren – Ashley Smith & Justin Smith of Kalamazoo, Jonathan Fulmer of Tulsa, Lauren Aroney of California and Lena Aroney of Seattle; and two sisters, Julie Nanna of Ebensburg, PA and Evelyn Rovida of Johnstown, PA. In addition to his wife, Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Joseph Aroney, Jr.; his brothers, Ernest and Michael Aroney and Anthony (Elizabeth) Humbert and his sister, Mary Pasa.