Leonard H. Popke

Leonard H. Popke, 75, of Benton Harbor, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2005, at his daughter?s home in Baroda. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1965 Broadway, Benton Harbor with Rev. Paul Naumann officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens with graveside military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, and VFW Post 6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call Sunday from 2-4 P.M. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the church or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Leonard was born September 7, 1929 in Benton Harbor to William and Emily (Gellert) Popke. On July 26, 1952 he married Irene Frances Burkhard in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1948-1952 in the Strategic Air Command. Leonard was a member of the Stevensville American Legion Post #568 and VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor. He retired from Lakeside Manufacturing as a Tool & Die maker in 1994 after many years of employment. Survivors include a daughter Lynnie (John) Martin of Baroda; two grandsons – Jason Martin of Grand Rapids and Shane Martin of Seward, Alaska; four sisters – Martha Somora of Watervliet, Ruth (Jack) Alcott of Spinks Corners, Hildegard Allen of Alpine, CA, and Susan (Gene) Metz of Benton Harbor; one brother – Herbert (Jackie) Popke of El Cajon, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Irene on January 7, 1994; two sisters-Linda Lockwitz, Helen Votsman; and two brothers Irving ?Butch? Popke & Alvin Popke.