Lionel J. Stacey

Lionel J. Stacey, 86, of Berrien Springs passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 17, 2014, at the home of his daughter in Niles, Michigan. Visitation will be held for family and friends at the Heritage Chapel, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs, from 12 to 2 pm this Saturday, August 23rd. A memorial service will be held immediately following at 2 pm. A private burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks memorials be made to Hospice at Home in Buchanan, Michigan. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com. Lionel was born May 8, 1928, to Lionel and Mary Stacey in Mitchell, South Dakota. He served as a paratrooper in Japan during the Korean War. Upon returning home he attended and graduated from Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota, and later received a Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Lionel became a teacher and principal at Hull School in Benton Harbor, Michigan in the late 50’s. He went on to become principal at Fair Plain Junior High, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, in the early 60’s. He served a brief term as State Legislator to the 44th District before returning to education to become Benton Harbor’s High School Principal in the late 60’s. He later served as Superintendent to the Lakeshore School System through the mid-70’s and retired from the Dowagiac School System in the 80’s. Lionel was married to Dorothy Stacey, who preceded him in death in August 2010. They raised their family of five children at their bi-centennial farm in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Lionel raised livestock and farmed alfalfa fields for horse tracks in Chicago and Florida. After retiring from education he began “Singing Meadows”, a lawn care service he worked until he was 82 years young. Lionel is survived by his five children, Kim (Jim) Vidt and Vikki (Greg) Jurgonski, both of Niles, Daniel (Valerie) Stacey and David (Jamie) Stacey of Berrien Springs, and Jill McManaman of Lansing, Michigan; also twelve grandchildren; nine-great-grandchildren; six nieces and nephews; and his brother, Bob (Arlene) Stacey in Oklahoma. Lionel is preceded in death by his sister, Marianne, and his brother, Lad, who passed away this past March.