Jack A. Kretchman

Paid Obit with E-Mailed Photo for Jack A. Kretchman Jack A. Kretchman, 62, of Berrien Springs, died suddenly at home on February 28, 2002. A service celebrating his life will be held at 11:30 A.M. Monday, March 4, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow in Spring Run Cemetery, Scottdale. Friends may call on Sunday from 2-6 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Tri-Unit Fire Department-Royalton Station. Jack was a terrific friend, husband, father, and grandpa. He lived life in a big way, on his own terms, and he died that way on Thursday February 28th, suddenly and mercifully, just like he said he would one day. We will all miss Jack. Some of Jack’s most treasured moments were hunting and fishing with Tod, Zak, Kali, Mike, the Kretchman gang, Rodney (Bald Eagle), Carl and his Cass deer friends, Dave, Virgil (Sparky), Jim, and Montana fishing with the Nye’s. These famous sayings will truly be missed. “Keep your putter up!” “It’s too wet to plow.” “How’s you’re ole tomato?” “Never back up so far you can’t go ahead.” “That will really feel good when it stops hurting.” “Never go home with half a load!” Also unforgettable were his greetings with a firm handshake, joke, or his famous, “Putt!” Jack was born on March 4, 1939 in Benton Harbor to Martin & Dora (Farnum) Kretchman. He was employed by Clark Equipment of Benton Harbor for several years before he opened Jack?s Auto Service in Berrien Spring in 1962, which he still operated at the time of his death. On December 17, 1960 he married the former Karen Calay in Sumnerville, MI. Jack is survived by his wife Karen; two daughters-Laura (Ross) Wagner of Comstock Park, MI, Leah (Alan) Alsbro of Berrien Springs; his son-Tod (Gidget) Kretchman of Berrien Springs; three grandchildren-Zachary & Kali Kretchman, and Mitchell Alsbro; three brothers-Richard Kretchman of Blairsville, GA, Clifford (Peggy) Kretchman of Edwardsburg, and Donald (Terry) Kretchman of Berrien Springs and his faithful traveling companion-Abraham. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-Lester & Kenneth Kretchman, and a sister-Thelma Marquardt. Jack was so many things to so many people. He was ever generous in a spirit of fun and helpfulness to others. His spirit was contagious. Jack loved life. If he were here today, he would say, “This sure is a mell of a hess. I love you all. KDZ398 over and out.”