Andrew Joseph "Andy" Takacs Jr.

Andrew Joseph "Andy" Takacs, Jr., age 92, of Stevensville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025.

Andy was born on July 20, 1933, in Toledo, Ohio, to Andrew and Ann (Massey) Takacs. He attended the University of Toledo, where he earned bachelor's degrees in business administration and journalism, followed by a master's degree in political science. While at UT, Andy was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. A proud lifelong supporter of his alma mater, he was a lifetime member of the University of Toledo Alumni Association. It was during his college years that he met the love of his life, Anne Schlicher. They married and shared nearly 66 years together before her passing in 2022.

Andy proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1963 and was honorably discharged.

In 1959, Andy began a distinguished career with Whirlpool Corporation as manager of community relations and communications at the Clyde, Ohio Division. After relocating to the company's headquarters in Benton Harbor in 1962, he advanced through a series of leadership roles in corporate, public, legislative, and governmental affairs. He was ultimately elected vice president of government and public relations, overseeing legislative and regulatory affairs, media relations, and public relations. Andy retired from Whirlpool in 1997 after nearly four decades of dedicated service.

Throughout his career, Andy held numerous leadership and advisory roles, including chairman and director of Whirlpool Opportunities, Inc.; chairman of the European Community Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, Belgium; chairman of the board of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers; and trustee of the company's Political Action Committee. He served on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Industry Sector Advisory Committee on Consumer Goods for the GATT Treaty, a precursor to the World Trade Organization, and as Washington representative for The Business Roundtable. Andy also served on the boards of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the American National Standards Institute and was an active member of the Public Relations Society of America and Rotary Club.

Deeply committed to his community, Andy served on the Board of Directors of the Heritage Museum & Cultural Center in St. Joseph, as president of the Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce in 1986, and as chairman of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. He was also a founder and incorporator of the Community Economic Development Corporation (now Cornerstone Alliance), whose efforts helped revitalize the St. Joseph River region and bring events such as the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship to the area.

Andy and Anne were devoted to their Catholic faith and church community and held a strong belief in Catholic education. Andy served as chairman of the St. Bernard's Catholic Church Parish Council, and together they served as extraordinary ministers and lectors and participated in parish Bible study. Andy also served on the boards of the Twin Cities Area Catholic School Fund, the YMCA, and Catholic Charities Services for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. He was a longtime board member, supporter, and volunteer of the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, both before and after his retirement.

Above all else, Andy was devoted to his family. He and Anne shared a love and loyalty that inspired all who knew them. Andy was a devoted husband, a supportive and present father, and a proud grandfather. He rarely missed his children's golf matches, tennis matches, basketball games, volleyball games, or track meets. In his spare time, Andy was an avid reader, enjoyed playing golf, and closely followed college and professional sports. He was a devoted fan of the University of Notre Dame and the Detroit Tigers. If one word defined his legacy, it was integrity-a value he lived through honesty, loyalty, and quiet leadership in every aspect of his life.

Andy is survived by his children, Mike (Audrey) Takacs, Dave (Kerry) Takacs, and Karen (Takacs) DelleDonne (Edward); seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Kristin (Takacs) Bauer (Andrew) and their children, Brielle and Beau; Stephanie Takacs (Shouvik Mahamud); Danielle Takacs (Aaron Barden); Drew Takacs; Kaitlyn DelleDonne, Alyson DelleDonne, and Joseph DelleDonne; and his sisters, Susie (Richard) Kreger and Diane (Ron) Knerr. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anne Takacs.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church (South Bend), 226 N. Hill Street, South Bend, Indiana. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Interment will take place at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Giving Back Family Foundation, Inc., 922 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46617, or the Soup Kitchen of Benton Harbor, P.O. Box 8210, Benton Harbor, MI 49023. Online condolences may be shared at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services.

A gathering to honor Andy's life will be held in Stevensville during the coming spring or summer.