Al Loach, age 74, formerly of Chicago, Ill., passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at his home in New Buffalo, Mich.

A Celebration of Life Service was held 3 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Sommmerfeld-Smith Funeral Home, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, Mich. Friends called from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Theodore’s Cemetery in Albert Lea at a later date.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 5110 Sprinkle Road, Portage, MI 49002.

Mr. Loach was born to Albert and Pheobe, nee Mason, Loach on Jan. 2, 1930, in Mendota, Ill. He graduated from Ripon College in Ripon, Wis., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While at Ripon he participated in basketball and football.

Al served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. On Aug. 25, 1962, he married Bonnie Maiden in Albert Lea. Al was employed by Waldorf Paper Products, Champion International, and Rock-Tenn, in Chicago, for 35 years, retiring in 1996. He was an avid sports fan, enjoyed golfing, traveling and woodworking.

Al is survived by his wife, Bonnie; their children: Bridget (Matt) Glover of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Catherine (Bart) Green of Naperville, Ill.; six grandchildren: Harrison, Meredith, Natalie and Molly Glover, and Sarah and Alexandra Green; and two sisters: Deloras Rapp of Mendota, Ill., and Carol Marsh of Arlington, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Eunice Miftendorf, on Dec. 9, 1997.