Ethan James Stringer
May 20th, 2004 - April 6th, 2025
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Ethan's Obituary
Ethan James Stringer, 20, of Benton Harbor was taken to heaven on April 6, 2025, after a medical emergency at his home.
His life began on May 20, 2004, in St. Joseph, Michigan and had one sibling, Emily. He was born to his parents, April Reitz, his beloved mother, and James Stringer, his loving father.
Ethan attended Lake Michigan Catholic School and Lakeshore High School and graduated in 2022. One of Ethan’s loves was playing basketball, and he played for many years. And, of course, let’s not forget his passion for shoes and cologne. While attending high school, Ethan began his career working in the heating and cooling industry working at Burkett Heating and Cooling working directly with Glen Burkett. Ethan was a quick learner and in 2024 he entered a partnership with Chad White, Whites Refrigeration, where he was a commercial refrigeration and cooling expert. Ethan’s love of his life was Kara Kinchen who shared their lives together for many years. The high school sweethearts enjoyed hiking, traveling, cooking, going to the beach, exercising and spending time with family and friends and love of their dog Kyro. Another new journey began as Ethan and Kara expanded their faith by attending the First Church of God on Sundays. They recently worked together renovating their home where they lived in Benton Harbor. Ethan loved the holidays and being with family. He was always open to taking leftovers. His favorite hobby was playing video games, especially Fortnite tournaments with his friend Brayden. And let’s not forget Cornhole with Kara’s dad, Hal. Ethan also had a love for Audis, of which he owned, his beautiful and loud red Audi S5. If he wanted you to know he was coming, his red beauty roared down the street and, of course, it could only be driven in the warm weather. He enjoyed showing off his second love at car meets like Cars and Coffee.
Ethan is survived by his mother, April Reitz, father, Jim Stringer, step-mother, Princella Stringer, step-brother, Anthony Tames, sister, Emily Stringer, step-brother, Mitri Cortez, step-sister, Elvie Cortez, grandmother Debra Leider Burkett and step-grandfather, Glen Burkett, grandfather Mike Reitz, grandparents James and Alicia Stringer, step-grandmother Rosane (Weta) Robert, step-grandfather Tom Robert, step-grandmother Jackie Nunez as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly. Ethan always had a warm smile and was very kind and caring to everyone. He was taken too soon and will stay in our hearts forever. When we think of him, we will smile and have a warm feeling in our hearts.
Friends and family may visit with the family on Sunday, April 13, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, Michigan on Monday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale.
If you wish to make a donation to assist Ethan’s loved ones in their grief - GoFundMe.com. Those wishing to sign Ethan’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
"By dying young, a man stays young forever in people’s memory. If he burns brightly before he dies, his light shines for all time." – by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
His life began on May 20, 2004, in St. Joseph, Michigan and had one sibling, Emily. He was born to his parents, April Reitz, his beloved mother, and James Stringer, his loving father.
Ethan attended Lake Michigan Catholic School and Lakeshore High School and graduated in 2022. One of Ethan’s loves was playing basketball, and he played for many years. And, of course, let’s not forget his passion for shoes and cologne. While attending high school, Ethan began his career working in the heating and cooling industry working at Burkett Heating and Cooling working directly with Glen Burkett. Ethan was a quick learner and in 2024 he entered a partnership with Chad White, Whites Refrigeration, where he was a commercial refrigeration and cooling expert. Ethan’s love of his life was Kara Kinchen who shared their lives together for many years. The high school sweethearts enjoyed hiking, traveling, cooking, going to the beach, exercising and spending time with family and friends and love of their dog Kyro. Another new journey began as Ethan and Kara expanded their faith by attending the First Church of God on Sundays. They recently worked together renovating their home where they lived in Benton Harbor. Ethan loved the holidays and being with family. He was always open to taking leftovers. His favorite hobby was playing video games, especially Fortnite tournaments with his friend Brayden. And let’s not forget Cornhole with Kara’s dad, Hal. Ethan also had a love for Audis, of which he owned, his beautiful and loud red Audi S5. If he wanted you to know he was coming, his red beauty roared down the street and, of course, it could only be driven in the warm weather. He enjoyed showing off his second love at car meets like Cars and Coffee.
Ethan is survived by his mother, April Reitz, father, Jim Stringer, step-mother, Princella Stringer, step-brother, Anthony Tames, sister, Emily Stringer, step-brother, Mitri Cortez, step-sister, Elvie Cortez, grandmother Debra Leider Burkett and step-grandfather, Glen Burkett, grandfather Mike Reitz, grandparents James and Alicia Stringer, step-grandmother Rosane (Weta) Robert, step-grandfather Tom Robert, step-grandmother Jackie Nunez as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly. Ethan always had a warm smile and was very kind and caring to everyone. He was taken too soon and will stay in our hearts forever. When we think of him, we will smile and have a warm feeling in our hearts.
Friends and family may visit with the family on Sunday, April 13, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, Michigan on Monday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in Scottdale.
If you wish to make a donation to assist Ethan’s loved ones in their grief - GoFundMe.com. Those wishing to sign Ethan’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
"By dying young, a man stays young forever in people’s memory. If he burns brightly before he dies, his light shines for all time." – by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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