Allen E. Schroeder

Allen E. Schroeder, 76, of St. Joseph, went to meet his Lord & Savior, Friday, July 23, 2004 at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 5-8 P.M. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the First Church of God Endowment Fund. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Allen was born October 23, 1927 in St. Joseph to Ernest & Maria (Schmidt) Schroeder. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School. Allen served his country during the Korean War in the US Army. On November 15, 1952, he married the former Jeanette Sikes in St. Joseph. Allen retired in 1987 after forty years of employment at Whirlpool in St. Joseph. Following his retirement, he was employed for several years at Berrien Hills Country Club taking care of the grounds. Lawn care was one of Allen?s many hobbies. His own yard & landscaping was picture perfect. There was not a blade of grass or anything else that was out of place. He was very meticulous in all that he did. Al enjoyed woodworking. He made model trains, cars and other items out of hardwood. He entered them in the senior division at the Berrien County Youth Fair and always brought home a blue ribbon. Allen also enjoyed model trains. He built an entire model city to surround the layout of his model trains. Allen was a member of the First Church of God, where he served as head usher for many years and belonged to the senior group, The Prime Timers. Mr. Schroeder is survived by his wife Jeanette; two daughters-Nancy (Ralf) Schaper of Stevensville; Sharon (Jay) Rice of Palm Harbor, FL; seven grandchildren-Erik, Stephanie, Sarah, Julie, Jacqui, Joshua & Joseph; his mother-in-law-Norma Humphrey of Stevensville; two brothers-Elmer Schroeder of Coloma; Eugene (Marilyn) Schroeder of Sodus; three sisters-Delores (Fred) Knaak of St. Joseph; Eleanor Tate of St. Joseph; Edith (Charles) Noack of Coloma; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.