Walter Meier

Walter Meier, 84 of St. Joseph, went to meet his Lord & Savior with his loving family at his side, Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at Elyria Memorial Hospital in Elyria, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, December 27, 2004 at Washington Ave. Church of God, 4051 Washington Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. Andy Hannich officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may call from 2-5 P.M. Sunday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Washington Ave. Church of God Missions. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Meier was born August 26, 1920 in Wurenlingen, Switzerland to Johanne & Maria (Kaufmann) Meier. He served in the Swiss Army along the border between Switzerland & Germany. In Switzerland, he learned the art of baking pastries. In 1950, he moved to St. Joseph and was employed at Eitel?s Bakery in Benton Harbor as a pastry chef. On August 31, 1952, he married the former Herta Herbstreit in St. Joseph. Walter held several jobs before learning the floor covering trade. He operated Meier?s Tile for many years before retiring, but he never lost his love of cooking and baking. He prepared many meals for different church, family & social functions. Walter was a member of Washington Ave. Church of God. He served as a Berrien County Jail Minister. Walter made many friends where ever he went. He made daily visits to several area nursing & retirement homes where he made a point to spend time with those who didn?t have family to keep them company. There wasn?t a person that he was afraid to talk to. Walter was a loving husband, father & grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Walter is survived by his wife Herta; his daughter Esther (Willi) Kant of Anderson, IN; two sons-Robert (Darlene) Meier of Edmunton, Alberta, Canada; David (Astrid) Meier of Stevensville; seven grandchildren-Christopher & Jennifer Kant, David, Nicholas, & Jessica Meier; Jonathan & Kristina Meier; three brothers-Albert (Carli) Meier; Alois Meier & Franz (Vreni) Meier; all of Switzerland; two sisters-Mary (Werner) Bugmann of Warren, NJ; Rosli Meier of Berne, Switzerland; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents & three brothers-Josef, Hans & Theodore Meier.