Arthur Wesley Sonnenberg

Arthur ?Wes? Sonnenberg, 75, of St. Joseph, died Wednesday, August 28, 2002, at Lakeland Hospital-St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery with military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post 362, AUX & SAL; VFW Posts 1137 of Benton Harbor & 6803 of Watervliet. Friends may call on Friday from 3-5 & 7-9 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Friends wishing to share a memory on line may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Sonnenberg was born on August 17, 1927 in Benton Harbor to Arthur A. & Rachel (McCrery) Sonnenberg. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1945 and joined the United States Air Force where he served his country during WWII stationed in Japan. On October 25, 1952 he married the former Noreen Arent in Benton Harbor. Art was employed by Auto Specialties, Keeters Appliances, and Webb Fuel, all of Benton Harbor. He retired in 1989 as manager from Valley Equipment in Benton Harbor after 20 years of service. Wes was known for fixing things for many people over the years, but recently had concentrated his efforts on making and fixing things for his grandchildren. He loved his property on the St. Joseph River where he enjoyed entertaining family & friends. Wes enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Benton Harbor Moose Lodge # 1570. Wes is survived by his wife Noreen; his son Wesley (Cherie) Sonnenberg of Stevensville; his daughter Tami (Kirk) Richardson of Paw Paw, MI; five grandchildren-Daniel, Sarah, & Ryan Sonnenberg; Kyle & Tyler Richardson; a brother-Lowell ?Ted? (Ann) Sonnenberg of Wellston, MI; his sister Lois (Ronald) Ingraham of Reed City, MI; and a sister-in-law Roberta Sonnenberg of Big Rapids, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-Rodney ?Red? Sonnenberg.