Charles A. Mead

Charles A. Mead, passed away Saturday, August 02, 2003 at Lakeland Hospital. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 10:00AM, with Rev. Wade S. Panse officiating, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor, MI. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 5, from 7:00-9:00PM, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, or to the family. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence, or to sign the family guest book, may do so at www.starks-menchinger Charles was born February 2, 1917, in Benton Harbor, MI, to Fred and Lily (Bachteal) Mead. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1937. On June 2, 1951, in Benton Harbor, he married Laura Jean Steltner. Charles was employed as a janitor with Whirlpool Corporation for about 38 years, retiring in 1981. He was a member of the St. Joseph First United Methodist Church. In his earlier years he was a softball coach and manager. He was a loving husband and father, and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Laura of St. Joseph; two sons, Fred Mead of St. Joseph and David (Nancy) Mead of Stevensville; two grandchildren, Michael David Mead and Stacey Noelle Mead; a nephew, Gerald Mead of Chicago, IL; and a niece, Sharon Ochoa of Chino Hills, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother-Lester.