M. Thomas Starkey

Thomas Starkey, 97, of Berrien Springs formerly of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2014 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 4:00 P.M. Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Pioneer Memorial Church, on the campus of Andrews University, 8655 University Blvd., Berrien Springs with Pastor Dwight Nelson officiating. Cremation has taken place. Friends may visit from 3:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Scholarship Fund, 8885 Garland Ave., Berrien Springs, MI 49104. Those wishing to share a memory of Thomas online may do so at www.heritage-chapel.com Thomas was born June 24, 1916 in Vincennes, IN to Charles & Jessie (Wiseman). On November 27, 1937 he married Genevieve Edgecomb in Madison, Wisconsin. Thomas worked as a Probation officer for the Juvenile Court in St. Joseph for 23 years. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, music, and was an avid Chicago Cubs & Bears fan. Thomas is survived by his daughters Joan Banks of Berrien Springs, Barbara (James) Martz of Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Kendra (Jay) Perry, Lauralea (Michael) Banks, Jason (Holly) Martz, Amanda (Cory) Reeves; great grandchildren; Meliah, Makenzie, Carson and Ryder Martz, Noah and Jacob Reeves, and Nathaniel Perry; nephew S. Charles (Esther) Jones; grandnephew Charles E. (Katharine) Jones; and grandniece Gerilyn Jones. In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his wife Genevieve Starkey in 2011, sisters Phyllis Steadman, Georgia Lunde and brother Dale Starkey.