Nicholas G. Auringer

On Nov. 5, 2025, Nicholas "Nick" Gene Auringer of St. Joseph entered into eternal rest at the age of 75.

A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at Pathway Global Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph, 49085 with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, 49085. Donations can be sent to Camp Leo (St. Joe Lions Club) or Pathway Global Methodist Church.

Nick was born in Lafayette, Ind., the second of five boys, to James and JoAnne (Karsten) Auringer. He grew up in St. Joe, an alumni of St. Joseph High School and Lake Michigan College, where he met his wife of 54 years, Shirley Russell. The two were married in 1971 at First United Methodist Church and raised their two daughters, Cristy and Andrea Auringer. Nick served his country while in the U.S. Army.

Nick was a Christian and actively involved in choir, hand-bells, VBS, Crop Walk, Men's Bible Study and was a certified lay minister at FUMC. He participated in the Twin City Players (Into the Woods, Godspell, Sweeney Todd) and was in the clown group "Caring Clowns for Christ" (the 3 Cs) where he was known as "Wood-n-Knot." Nick enjoyed trains, steam engines, yearly camping trips to "Family Camp," "rolleycoasters," football, raw cookie dough, and above all, making people laugh.

Nick was a gifted composer/poet. He played keyboard, guitar and loved to sing. He won two notable competitions: St. Joe's Sesquicentennial competition where local elementary schools performed his composition (1984), and WGN Chicago's all expenses paid California trip for the premiere of "Fantasmic!" in Disneyland (1992). His daughters and he created a picture book fairy tale and tape called The Magical Kingdom of WED.

Nick served as a board member for the Venetian Festival and Girl Scouts of Singing Sands. He participated in Junior Achievement and clowned for Camp Leo (supported by the Lions Club. He was a maintenance man for People State Bank before working at St. Joseph Public Schools and a carpenter by trade (helping completely renovate his and Shirley's home). Nick was also a dependable blood donor.

Nick will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Shirley; daughters: Christy Auringer and Andrea (Patrick) Jordan; grandchildren: Arianna Auringer, James Nicholas and Paul Jordan; brothers: John (Dorie) Auringer, Paul (Kelley) Auringer and Tom (Nancy) Auringer; brother in-law, Don Russell and sister-in-law, Karen Hartman as well as multiple nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: James (Joanne) Auringer and in-laws: John (Barbara) Russell; brother, Daniel (Janie) Auringer and brother-in-law, Kenneth (Margaret) Russell.