Willibald Georg Piontek

Willibald Georg Piontek went to be with the Lord on March 11,2008, after a long illness. His loving fiancee, Beverly Orth and her daughter Marylea Mitchell were at his side. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 29, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, Michigan. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or to Animal Aid, 134 Eastern Ave., Benton Harbor. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Willi was born September 19, 1933 to Karl and Anna Piontek. Willi moved to America from Johannisburg, Germany with his parents, brothers and sisters April, 26, 1952. He worked as a tailor for the St. Joseph downtown area stores and then started his own business called Willi Piontek Painting and Decorating. He really enjoyed the work that he was doing. Because of illness he retired in 1993. Willi joined the U.S. Air Force on May 4, 1954 and while serving, became a United States citizen. Willi was sent to Germany and served as an interpreter and was discharged November 19,1957. He returned to Germany and married Hermine Marie Ansorg on April 28,1958. Organizations that Willi belonged to are Michiana Jim Beam Bottle and Specialties Club, International Association of Jim Beam Bottle and Specialties Club. He was a founding member of the St.Joe Kickers Sport Club and received his 50 year pin four years ago. Willi also was a Lifetime Member of the Disabled American Veterans, The 601st/615th ACWS Association, and The International Association of Turtles. Willi loved being with and playing with all of Beverly’s children. He was Willi, Grandpa and Opa to all of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved working outdoors in the gardens and coming up with new ideas to make the place look nice. Willi was a sports fan especially football and was a Packers Fan because Beverly was from Wisconsin. When he became seriously ill he spent a lot of time cuddling with his cat Precious. He is survived by Beverly Orth and her children Deborah [Donald] Roush, Wendy [George] Whaley, Donald [Laurie] Orth, Marie [Kenyon] Shane, Marylea Mitchell, and Major Paul [Susanne] Orth, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Also, sisters and brothers Ursula Henkel, Christel Brink, Annemarie [John] Kubicek, Heinz [Trudy] Piontek, and Reinhold [Roy] Piontek and many neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Hermine on April 11, 1979, and by his brother Siegfried Piontek in 1986.