Frederick “PaPa” Munchow, 96, of Coloma, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Woodland Terrace of Paw Paw Lake.
Services were held Monday, April 4, at Salem Lutheran Church in Coloma with Pastor Alex Hoffmeyer officiating. Burial followed in Coloma Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday, April 3 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home, concluding with Masonic Rites.
Donations in memory of Fred may be given to Caring Circle Hospice or the North Berrien Historical Society. Those wishing to leave an online message for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Fred was born in Coloma to Frederick and Katherine Munchow.
As a boy he delivered papers to the local resorts, and as a young man worked as a carpenter with his father.
He married Joyce (Klann) and together had two sons.
During this time of his life, he served as a Coloma City Commissioner and Treasurer for almost 40 years. He also served as a County Commissioner for a few years. Fred loved his community and volunteered in many city government programs.
In addition to working over 30 years for Whirlpool, Fred was busy with the Masonic Lodge. He joined the lodge in 1946 and in 1964 served as their Worshipful Master, playing a large role in their 100-year anniversary celebration. Just last year he was honored with his 75 year pin.
As a member of the North Berrien Historical Museum, Fred served on the board also as treasurer. With a couple of other volunteers, he was a large part of getting all the indoor carpentry work done. Fred was most proud of the work he and some other Coloma citizens did in getting the local sewer plant up and running.
After his wife Joyce passed in 1989, Fred met and married Edith (Bujack-Stohrer) in 1992.
Survivors include his wife Edith, sons Fred (Sandi) Munchow of Coloma and Jim (Donna) Munchow of Riverside, step-daughters Lorraine (Steve) Race of Grand Rapids and Lois (Brent) Rainwater of Coloma. Also surviving is a brother-in-law John Klann, five grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, four great-grandbabies, and five step-great-grandbabies.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Fred was preceded in death by his sister Margaret Warman, brothers-in-law Bill Warman and Raymond Bujack, and his wife Edith’s parents, Louis and Elsie Bujack.