WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
LeRoy Dale “Bud” McKale, age 90, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.
He was born Feb. 15, 1921, in Sturgis, Mich., a son of the late Frank C. and Berniece O. (Young) McKale.
Bud was a lifelong Sturgis resident and attended Sturgis Public Schools. On April 1, 1944 he married Ila May Blood in Medford, Ore. She died March 26, 1999, after 54 years of marriage.
He retired in 1981 from the U.S. Postal Service where he had been a rural mail carrier. Prior to joining the Postal Service he had been employed by George Squier Distributing and the Sturgis Police Department. For several years he and his wife owned and operated McKale’s Grocery in Burr Oak.
Bud was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theatre earning the rank of Tec 5. He was a member of B.P.O.Elks #1381.
He is survived by one daughter, Ruth Ann (Donald) Rockwell of Elkhart, Ind.; one granddaughter, Katherine Haas of Englewood, Colo.; three grandsons, Benjamin Haas of Elkhart, Ind., Stephen Rockwell of Silver Spring, Maryland and Patrick Rockwell of Mantua, NJ; and nephew Lawrence (Barsha) Coohon of Sturgis.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one son, Dale L. McKale, 2008; and two sisters, Mildred Barnett and Geraldine Coohon.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial graveside service and burial of the ashes will be held at 11 a.m. Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, at the Nottawa Cemetery in Nottawa. Pastor Michael Bristol, a close family friend will officiate.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3284 in entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. McKale’s memory consider Post #1355 VFW, 264 W. Fawn River Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Sturgis Instrumental Music Alumni Association, c/o: Walt Heimstra, 5515 W. Orland Rd., Angola, Ind., 46703.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
