Pat Larzelere

Pat Larzelere, nearly 99, of Benton Harbor passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Father John Peter Ambrose officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with The Rosary recited at 6:45 p.m. Memorial donations in Pat's name may be made to St. John-St. Bernard Parish or the Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club. Those wishing to sign Pat's memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Pat was born March 17, 1926, in Dowagiac to Aubrey and Frances (Miller) Larzelere. He graduated from Dowagiac High School Class of 1944 and attended Western Michigan University. Pat enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country during World War II. Pat gained employment with the Michigan Department of Transportation and spent the next 25 years traveling the state as a construction inspector. On June 23, 1956, he married the former Louise Mammina at St. John Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. Pat founded Advance Limo & Cab which he and Louise operated for nearly 50 years, keeping his chauffeur's license until 2021. He was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish in Benton Harbor, Benton Harbor-Fairplain Lions Club and Dowagiac Elks Club. Pat served as scoutmaster for many years for the troops in Dowagiac and at St. John Catholic Church. Pat and Louise enjoyed square dancing every chance they had and they traveled across the country with their travel trailer to dance, Fontana, North Carolina being their favorite place. Pat enjoyed fishing, hunting, swimming and camping, but most of all, enjoyed the time spent with his loving family and many friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Pat is survived by his brothers: Craig (Mary Carol) Larzelere of Griffin, Ga., Scott (Beverly) Larzelere of Dowagiac; his sister-in-law, Madeline (Ronald) Batson of St. Joseph; nieces and nephews: Chip (Kara) Larzelere, Mimi (Dan) Eckert and Christy (Brian) Pritchard, Michelle (Bill) Froehlich, Dale (Dawn) Killarney, Michael Batson, Michelle (Tim) Spitale, Deb (Roy) Youngren, Jennifer Batson, Tammy Batson, Joseph (Sara) Batson, Melissa Batson, Tanya Mohr, J.R. Mammina; numerous great-nieces and nephews and two great-great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, on Jan. 26, 2024; his parents; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Benjamin and Georgia Mammina and his niece, Shaune Mammina.