Ron Clarren, 80

Stanley Ronald Clarren, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.

He was born Nov. 1, 1932, in Chicago, to Salome (Dorothy) Glonek and Stanley Clarren. Ron graduated from Lindblom High School in Chicago and moved to Sturgis with his mother and his stepfather, Steve Kenny, in 1950.

After high school, Ron served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, later becoming a member of the American Legion and a commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1355 in Sturgis.

Ron was very active in local community services, labor issues and politics. His community service included long tenures on the Sturgis City, Housing and Election Commissions and membership on the Hospital and Zoning Boards. His labor activities included seven years as the president of the St. Joseph County Labor Council of the AFL-CIO, and various offices in the United Paper Workers Union Local 1034. In politics, he was a proud lifelong member of the Democratic Party, and was a delegate to the 1980 presidential convention. In his personal life, he was an avid reader, swimmer, golfer and bohemian. He was married to Donna Wood, mother of his children, Donna Clarke and Judith Ann.

He is survived by his three children, Steve (Helen) Clarren of Grosse Pointe Park, Mike (Erin) Clarren of Ypsilanti and Laura (Dale) Furney of Denver; five grandchildren, Angela Furney of Denver, Bob Clarren of Chicago, Sarah Clarren of Yungaburra, Australia, and Ian and Maya Clarren of Ypsilanti; and a brother, George Clarren of Henderson, Nev.

A family gathering will take place at a later date. He has been cremated and will be interred at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek.

Hackman Family Funeral Homes assisted with the arrangements.