Jeno Bilicz, age 88, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in St. Joseph, MI.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 29 at 11:00 am at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI, 49085 with Fr. Jack Pfeiffer presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Memorial contributions in Jeno’s memory may be directed to the American Heart Association.
Jeno was born on September 18, 1937 in Sand, Hungary to Steven and Katherine (Gerencser) Bilicz. As a teenager, Jeno fled Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution and escaped to a refugee camp in Austria. There he met the love of his life, Anna Horvath, and the two were married on November 22, 1957. Jeno and Anna stayed in Austria for a couple years until Jeno’s aunt and uncle in Michigan, John and Helen Gerencser, offered to sponsor the young couple to become citizens of the United States. The two eventually made their way to Benton Harbor and have lived in the area ever since.
Jeno worked on farms and in factories, doing whatever he could to provide a better life for him, his wife, and their daughter, Elaine. In 1968, they bought their home in St. Joseph and continue to reside there to this day. Jeno and his cousin, Bill Gerencser, opened Mickey’s Restaurant in St. Joseph and a little while later, Jeno and Anna opened Fireside Restaurant in Stevensville, which they owned and operated for 15 years.
Jeno was loved by everyone in the community, including his employees and customers. He was an incredibly devoted husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, and friend. Jeno was hardworking and a good man who always cared and provided for his family.
Jeno will always be remembered by his beloved wife, Anna; daughter, Elaine (Scott) Merrick; granddaughter, Marilyn; and extended cousins: Joanne (Ron) Klug, John (Linda) Gerencser, Steven (Elaine) Gerencser, Vicki (Bud) Williams, Jane (Bob) Edelberg, Nancy (Mario) Palminsano, Pam (Dan) Berry, Susan (Roger) Knafel, Kathy Tyson, Christina Schaller, Laurie (David) Parsons, Karen Willming, Beth Cipriano, Kenny Kaatz, Wayne Kaatz, Eileen Kaatz, and Tara Rice.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Steven, Joseph, Kalman, Magda, and Nondor; and several extended family members in Hungary and the United States.
Memorial Contributions
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American Heart Association
Service Details
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Visitation
When
November 29th, 2025 10:00am – 11:00am
Where
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
Address
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Directions
Service
When
November 29th, 2025 11:00am
Where
Starks & Menchinger Chapel
Address
2650 Niles Rd.
St. Joseph , MI 49085
Posted On: Monday, November 24, 2025 3:47 PM
