Gerald Albert Kasischke

Gerald Albert Kasischke, 79, of Benton Harbor passed away Saturday, August 06, 2005 at his home following a brief illness. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at Peace Lutheran Church, 3590 Lincoln Avenue, St. Joseph, MI of which he was a member. The Revs. Paul A. Koehneke and Franz J. Brandenburg will officiate. Veteran’s Rites and Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, MI. Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church – Building Fund. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph and one hour prior to the Services at Peace Lutheran Church Wednesday. Those wishing to send a condolence message or sign the on-line guest book may do so at www.starks menchinger.com. Jerry was born on November 25, 1925 in St. Joseph to Albert and Anna (Nimtz) Kasischke. He was a 1943 graduate of St. Joseph High School and a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Navy (Pacific Theater). He began his post military employed in 1948 at the Nineteen Hundred Corporation (now Whirlpool Corporation) at the former St. Joseph Division retiring in 1984 as a Manufacturing Supervisor. He also enjoyed post-retirement employment at Helena Corp., Watervliet, MI. Among Jerry’s favorite things were reading WWII history and taking his dogs pheasant hunting in local area as well as South Dakota and Nebraska. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in the Whirlpool league and other local leagues throughout the years. Bowling was also a favorite sport in his early years. He was well known for his sense of humor. His nicknames “Kash” or “JK” and his love for his family and friends. He was a dedicated volunteer at Peace Lutheran Church and enjoyed offering whatever assistance possible to his church family. Jerry was a member of the Whirlpool Old Timers Club, VFW Post #1137, American Legion Post #105, Pheasants Forever and a former member of the Berrien County Sportsmans Club. Jerry is survived by his wife Barbara (Molter-Immoos) whom he married on June 30, 1979 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. Also surviving are a daughter Cynthia Pattison of Lansing, MI a son Steven (Nanci) Kasischke of Methuen, MA; step-son Perry (Vicki) Bundy of St. Joseph and step-daughters Rhonda Immoos of Benton Harbor and Patty (Dick) Briney of California. Jerry’s grandchildren include Daniel, Joseph and Jennifer Pattison of Lansing, Paul and Lauren Kasischke of Methuen, MA, Jeff Bundy of St. Joseph and Tonya (Robert) Gonzales of Las Vegas, NV and great grand children, Justin and Trevor Bundy of St. Joseph and Daniel Gonzales of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear family friends. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wives Delores (Gosselar) Kasischke and Sybil “Mel” (Bundy) Kasischke. Also by sisters Ruth Hanley, Florence Shuler both of St. Joseph and brother Alan Kasischke of Vancouver, WA.