Bert E. Corliss

Bert E. Corliss, 86, of Benton Harbor, was Promoted to Glory, Sunday, August 21, 2005, at Orchard Grove Extended Care Centre in Benton Harbor. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at The Salvation Army, 232 Michigan Ave., Benton Harbor with Major Jack Holloway officiating. Entombment will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, with military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Tuesday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army Band. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Mr. Corliss was born January 26, 1919 in Chicago to Bert E. & Margaret (Minekus) Corliss. Bert attended the University of Chicago where he studied history. On February 20, 1942, he married the former Helen Marie Boyer in Benton Harbor. Bert served his country during WWII in the US Army. He retired from Whirlpool Resource Center in 1984 after 28 years of employment. Bert was a member of The Salvation Army where he served as band director for 40 years. He also served as music instructor at The Salvation Army and at Little Pine Island Camp in Comstock Park, Michigan for many years. Bert enjoyed golfing and in his earlier years had received his pilot?s license. He enjoyed flying for many years. Mr. Corliss is survived by three sons-Bert (Cathy) Corliss, III of Bridgman, David (Mary) Corliss of Mt. Prospect, IL, Charles (Sue) Corliss of Bridgman; his daughter Sandie (Don) Platt of Chesaning, MI; eleven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Margaret Corliss in 1997, and by his wife Helen on February 9, 2004.