Louis J. Gelder
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Louis J. Gelder

  • May 3, 1929 - July 29, 2012
  • Benton Harbor, Michigan
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“Joe, Diane, Danny and Amanda, So sorry to hear of Louis' passing. I know he will me greatly missed. God bless you all. ”
1 of 8 | Posted by: Cori and Paul Kaminski

“Joe, Diane, & Family, So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. God has prepared a beautiful place for him. Our hearts go out to your and your...Read More » ”
2 of 8 | Posted by: Mark & Lonna VanderLinden - MI

“~ LOVE AND PRAYERS ~ ”
3 of 8 | Posted by: Tim & Sandy Mielke - South Haven, MI

“Our deepest sympathy be with the GELDER family...Mr. Gelder was a fine man & will be missed by all who knew him. ”
4 of 8 | Posted by: Gary & Merikay Pope - Eau Claire, MI

“Joe and Diane, So sorry for the loss of your father. Thinking of all of you during this time. Our prayers are with you. ”
5 of 8 | Posted by: Jim and Kathy Blanchard - Coloma, MI

“Dale, Brian, and I are very sorry to hear of Mr. Gelder's passing. Our best wishes to you all. I hope you have alot of comfort in knowing what a...Read More » ”
6 of 8 | Posted by: The McKibbin Family - Plainwell, MI

“I am so sorry to hear the loss of your father Jennifer and Family. After reading the obit, What a wonderful man he was. Cherish the memories. ”
7 of 8 | Posted by: Nancy Gillespie-Smith - MI

“MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH EACH & EVERYONE OF YOU. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. ”
8 of 8 | Posted by: HEIDI FORTNER-COOMBS - COLOMA, MI


Wheat Emblem

Louis J. Gelder, 83, of Benton Harbor, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Caretel Inns of Lakeland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Thursday at St. John's Catholic Church, 600 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor, with Fr. William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Liturgical Prayers recited at 7:30 P.M. Memorials may be made to St. John-St. Bernard Parish or St. Joseph Catholic School in Watervliet. Those wishing to sign Louis' Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Louis was born May 3, 1929 in Detroit to Jonas & Mathilda (Elikann) Gelder. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1947and on October 14, 1950, married his high school sweetheart, the former Mary Ann Bley in Benton Harbor. Louis spent his entire working career at the store started by his grandfather in 1910-Louis Gelder & Sons Farm Equipment in Millburg, now operated by the fourth & fifth generations of the Gelder family. He thoroughly enjoyed his work because of all the interaction with all of the area farmers. He developed many long lasting friendships. Louis was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish, the North Berrien Senior Center, and a former member of the Coloma Community School Board. He was a gifted and talented man, building two homes for his family to live in. Louis enjoyed the out of doors and tending to his garden, and the traveling that he was able to do in his motorhome.

Louis is survived by his wife Mary Ann; five children-Barbara Gelder of Ft. Wayne, IN, Carleen (Frank) Celmer, Bruce (Renee) Gelder of Benton Harbor, Joe (Diane) Gelder of Coloma, Jennifer (John) Kickles; six grandchildren-Cecily (Denis) Shubin, Amanda Gelder, Mathew (Christina) Gelder, Marc Gelder, Daniel Gelder, Mary Gelder; & five great-grandchildren-Anya, Sofia, Roman, Alexander, & Naomi. He was preceded in death by a daughter Mary Hope Gelder and a grandson Sean Celmer.