Erwin Schwarz, 78, of St. Joseph, MI, passed away at his home on Sunday – August 30, 2020. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Erwin was born on April 21, 1942 in Warthegau, Poland to the late Ferdinand and Wilhelmine (Banik) Schwarz. He immigrated to America in the mid 1950’s. On August 22, 1964 in Benton Harbor, MI he married Lilli Rutsch. Erwin retired after 38 years from Regal Finishing Inc. as plant supervisor. Erwin loved spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren during seasons of football, marching bands, and school holiday programs. He was a member of the Oakridge Community Church as well as being an Elder. Hobbies included woodworking-cabinet making-house remodeling, and fishing. He will be greatly missed by family and many friends.
Erwin is survived by his wife Lilli; his three daughters – Linda (Michael) Gifford, Kathleen (William) Goodwin and Jenny (John Kendrex) Vance; six grandchildren – Ryan and Brandyn Gifford, Kaeli, Kira and Kendra Juengling, and Evelynn Vance; and three sisters – Tabea Faatz, Meta (Klaus) Seltmann and Sigrid (Victor) Kietzer. He is preceded in death by sisters and brothers – Natalia Schwarz, Landa DeBodt, Irmgard Schwarz, Linda Boehm, Rudolph Schwarz, Reinhold Schwarz, Herman Schwarz, Helmut Schwarz and Werner Schwarz.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday – Sept. 4, 11:00am, at the Oakridge Community Church in St. Joseph with Pastor Scott Reeve officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery in Stevensville. Visitation with the family precedes the service from 10:00am-11:00am at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakridge Community Church. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Posted On: Thursday, September 3, 2020 3:47 PM
