Alvin E. Burkall

Alvin “Al” E. Burkall, 92, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Hanson Hospice Center – Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday, August 12, 11:00 a.m. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Michael Roth officiating, and military rites performed by the Stevensville American Legion Post #568. A private inurnment will be held. Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle (formally Hospice at Home). Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Al was born on November 8, 1924, in Muskegon, to Peter & Marie (Schmidt) Burkall. After attending Muskegon High School, Al enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and proudly served our country from 1944 until 1946 as a pilot of a P-38 Lightening, in the Pacific Theater. On May 9, 1947, Al married his wife of 56 years, Eleanor Hughes, in Muskegon, Michigan.  For 28 years, Al worked for and retired from Whirlpool Corp. as an engineer. Al always enjoyed being outside, whether it was hunting, fishing or boating at his home on Paw Paw Lake in Coloma, or in Florida, at their second home. Al and Eleanor loved to travel the world, including many cruises and several whole family destination trips. Family was Al’s biggest passion in life and spending time with his family gave him the most joy. He was an avid fan of University of Michigan, Detroit Tigers, Lions, and New England Patriots.  He was an avid card player, with a deck of cards nearby for any visitors. For 16 years Al lived at the Whitcomb Senior Apartments in St. Joseph where he had many friends, enjoyed social activities, and was able to walk the bluff where he would sit on the family bench and reminisce. He loved to share his lifetime of stories, sometimes more than once.  He was always a busy man, often doing something for someone else, helping others in any way he could. Al is survived by his children; Linda (Dan) Derbas of Galien, Julie (Jim) Painter of Davenport, FL, Don (Shirley) Burkall of Durham, NC, and Mary (David) Schmidke of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Becky (Alan) Selvidge, Joal (Sierra) Derbas, Tammy (Matt) Ofsanik, Travis (Jill) Howard, Heather (Kevin) Reifschneider, Eric (Angie) Burkall, Josh (Brianne) Schmidke, and Shannon (Scott) Wiederwax; 16 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; and sister, Audrey Neiser of Muskegon, Michigan. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Peter & Marie; loving wife, Eleanor; daughter, Lori Burkall; 4 brothers and 3 sisters.