Alfred "Al" Vasta

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, October 15, 2021, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware Ave., Benton Harbor. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, with full military honors rendered by North Berrien Military Rights Team. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A prayer service will follow visitation at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Ln. St. Joseph. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. 

Al was born on January 21, 1924, in Forrest Park, IL to Josephine (Malamagi) and Joseph Vasta. On April 28, 1945, he married Bonnie “Athanasia” Panagakos. Professionally, Al worked as a Train Engineer at CSX formally C&O Railroad, retiring after nearly 40 years of service. He honorably served his country during WWII in the United States Army. Al enjoyed fishing up north and was an amazing cook and baker. He was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and the VFW. Later in life, Al enjoyed playing cards with his special friend, Corinne Graziano. Most of all, he cherished time spent with his family, friends and enjoyed traveling to visit them all over the country. His great, unique sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. Al is survived by his children, Sharon (Tom) Arndt, Shirley (Richard) Poplawski, Diane (Darrell) Heimel, Alfred A. Vasta and Michael (Kristi) Vasta; eighteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, siblings, Lorraine Brown and Manny Vasta and numerous nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and Joseph Vasta; loving wife of 53 years, Bonnie Vasta and siblings, Robert and Edward Vasta.