Earl Dechert

Earl J. Dechert, 75, of Stevensville, passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, March 25, 2005, at 10:00 A.M., at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd., Sodus, with Rev. David Cheyne officiating. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may call on the family on Thursday, March 24, 2005, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Kerley- Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association of Michigan or Berrien County Cancer Service. Friends are invited to send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Earl was born to Louis and Alvina (Kotke) Dechert on May 16, 1926, in Platt, MI. He married Grace Howard on July 31, 1954, at United Methodist Church in Benton Harbor. He worked for Lake Michigan Catholic Schools as a maintenance supervisor for fifteen years, he retired in 1991. Earl is survived by his wife Grace of Stevensville; children- Pamela Harrison of Coldwater, Susan Dechert of Stevensville, and Randy Dechert (Nancy Klug) of Baroda; grandchildren- Jennifer (Greg) Williams of Watervliet, Kyle Easley (Emily VanWinkle) of Mt. Pleasant, MI, and Stephanie Harrison of Coldwater; great-grandchildren- Bailey, Tayler, and Paige Williams all of Watervliet; brothers- Elmer (Pauline) Dechert of Hartford and Jerry (Ann) Dechert of St. Joseph; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; brothers- Walter and Merl Dechert; and sisters- Lydia Herman, Ruth Kruger, Delores Dechert, and Fredia Kruger.