Joe Schulte passed away on January 10, 2024 at the age of 81. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Joe had an interesting life which was full of travels and friendships, with the love of his family a constant priority. Joe was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 26, 1942 to Joseph A. Schulte and Marguerite (Peg) Schulte. He moved to St. Joseph, Michigan in 1955 and enjoyed living at the Whitcomb Hotel while his parent’s new home was being constructed. He entered St. Joseph Catholic School in 8th grade and graduated from their high school in 1960. After two years attending Xavier University in Cincinnati, he transferred to Western Michigan University and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business. He then won a scholarship to the University of Oslo, Norway to study economics. After returning home, Joe joined the “Management Trainee” program of Sears Roebuck & Co. Two years later, Joe joined the EF MacDonald Marketing Incentive Company as a travel director where he coordinated events and managed trip
accounting. He accompanied trips to locations in the US, Canada and Mexico, but spent much of his time in the Caribbean, with his favorite islands being Jamaica and Aruba.
In 1969 Joe married Susan Poelman of Grand Rapids and switched careers to manage Heathkit Electronic Center Stores. He continued to travel frequently, managing stores in Atlanta, Buffalo, Houston, Denver, New York, and New Jersey. In 1980 Joe took over managing all 65 US retail stores and eventually took on the 7 Canadian retail stores. He traveled almost constantly visiting the stores and attending trade shows and conventions. After Group Bull purchased Heath Company in 1990 and forced the closure of the Heath retail store operations, Joe sold real estate for a couple of years before joining Capitol Hardware in Niles, Michigan. He was the senior manager at Capitol Hardware, which manufactured and imported retail store fixtures and sold them to major US retail chains. Joe retired from Capitol Hardware in 2009.
Joe’s wife Sue, to whom he was married for 30 years, passed away in 1999. Joe then married Janet Runge who he had known since high school. In fact, he was the best man at her marriage to Ken Runge. Joe has two children and two grandchildren from his marriage to Sue and two children and two grandchildren from Janet’s previous marriage. Together, Joe and Janet have enjoyed traveling to Europe and across the US to visit their families and grandchildren.
Joe is survived by his wife Janet; his son John Paul Schulte (Jennifer Zachman), and
granddaughter Ellie of South Bend, IN; his daughter Kristen (Beau) Barnson, and grandson Carter of Las Vegas, NV; Jennifer Kinch of Holland, MI; Mike Runge of Tucson, AZ and his children Avi of Manhattan, NY, and Aanavi of Bellingham, WA; Bob (Jill) Poelman of Grand Rapids, MI; Ron (Mary) Poelman of Grand Rapids, MI; Morris (Linda) Poelman of Hudsonville, MI; Chuck (Nancy) Poelman of Grand Rapids, MI; Dan Poelman, Tim Poelman and Joyce Poelman of Grand Rapids, MI; a brother David (Shirley) Schulte of Greensboro, GA; and a sister Peggy Ann (Ray) Storey of Lake Placid, FL; a brother-in-law Don Dieckman of St. Joseph, MI; a brother-in-law Roger (Andee) Dieckman of Buchanan, MI; and a sister-in-law Rosemary White of St. Joseph. Joe enjoyed numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents (Joe and Peg) and his brother James of Berrien Springs, MI.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Saturday – Jan. 20, 12noon, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. Visitation with the family is also on Saturday from 10:00am-12:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Hanson Hospice Center, 4382 Cleveland Avenue, Stevensville, MI 49127. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Service Details
Visitation
When
January 20th, 2024 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
Address
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Service
When
January 20th, 2024 12:00pm
Where
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
Address
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph , MI 49085
Interment
Where
Hickory Bluff Cemetery
Address
4290 Cleveland Avenue
Stevensville , MI 49127