Glen A. Avery

Glen Avery, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away with his loving family around him Sunday June 2, 2002. Friends may call from 6:00- 9:00 PM Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday at Stevensville United Methodist Church, 5506 Ridge Road Stevensville; where he was a member. Officiating will be Rev. Eugene Lewis. Burial will be at Hickory Bluff Cemetery with Military rites conducted. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society Relay for Life or Kairos Dwelling, a home for terminally ill, 2645 Gull Road Kalamazoo, MI. 49048. Glen was born on August 14, 1928 in Benton Harbor Michigan to William & Verva (Shafer) Avery. Glen married his high school sweet-heart Marion Schneider in 1951. He served in the US Army and obtained the rank of Private First Class. Glen served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharge in 1956. Glen was a member of VFW 1137. After returning, Glen carried on the family tradition of his father and became a baker. He owned a number of bakeries in southwest Michigan and became a consultant; traveling throughout the great lakes region. Glen also had a short stint on TV teaching cake decorating. Later in life, Glen Became the Baking and Plant manager for Quality Dairy Bakeries in Lansing. The Lansing Area Migration and Refugee Service honored Glen for his contribution in hiring Indo-Chinese Refugees. In the early 1980?s Glen returned to St. Joseph and managed the bakery at Hilltop Foods. He retired in 1994 Glen was known for his positive attitude, which he carried to the very end. He loved playing his guitar and banjo for his friends and writing inspirational newsletters for his cancer support group, which he was a co-founder to educated and support others batting the same illness. Survivors are three daughters Nancy Sherborn of Berrien Springs, Cynthia Avery of Manchester, MI; Leanne Kannegieter of Paw Paw; a grandson Daniel Kannegieter and a granddaughter Megan Kannegieter; a brother Vernon (Donna) Avery of Stevensville, a sister Janet (Tom) Frakes of St. Joseph He was preceded in death by his wife Marion ?Pinky? Avery on 10/5/01 and by four Brothers.