Budd Munson, 86

Bernard “Budd, Coach” Munson, age 86, of Klinger Lake, White Pigeon, passed away Thursday evening, September 29, 2022 at his home with his son and daughter at his side following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born July 4, 1936 in Rockford, Illinois son of the late Paul and Dorothy (Lawson) Munson.

Budd resided in Sturgis and Klinger Lake for many years. His early life was spent in Constantine where he was a graduate of Constantine High School with the class of 1954. He furthered his education at Michigan State University in East Lansing, later transferring to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where he earned a Bachelor Degree and Master Degrees in Education and General Administration.

He was first married to Lila Gragg at the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Constantine. This marriage ended in divorce. On June 15, 1998 he married Helen (Jaskowiak) Siebenthal on the deck of Budd’s home at Klinger Lake. She preceded him in death March 11, 2017.

Budd’s teaching and coaching career began at Constantine Public Schools where he taught Business Administration, served as a Guidance Counselor and Athletic Director and coached baseball, basketball and football. He retired from Sturgis Public Schools following many years of dedicated service. He served Sturgis Public Schools as a Guidance Counsellor and was a school bus driver for out of town events for many years. He taught many students to drive as he was a driver’s education instructor for many years.

In 1972 he established the first girls tennis team in which he built into a dominate program. Budd coached the Sturgis girls tennis team for 27 years with a record of 311-15, boys tennis coach for 3 years with a record of 85-16, earned 26 Twin Valley championships, 16 Regional Championships and took pride in coaching three runner-up state champions.

Budd was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992, Sturgis Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, Constantine Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019 and was awarded the Michigan High School Coach of the Year in 1980.

Budd had a passion for sports, and even when not coaching, he could be found manning the scoreboard or keeping the books for many sporting events and always found time to watch his favorite teams.

He was a longtime member of the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Constantine.

Mark and Mary would like to extend special thanks to Budd’s granddaughter Emily for her loving care over the past eight months, the Grim family for their never ending support and to Kim Collins, Dr. Vakharia and staff and Three Rivers Health Hospice for the care Budd received from each of them. They would also like to acknowledge Mark Horn for his thoughtfulness and many visits and the generous donation of Budd’s shirt and the shirts for the pallbearers.

He is survived by son: Mark A. Munson of Georgetown, South Carolina; two daughters: Mary Munson of Klinger Lake and Tina (Luke) Merrell of Sturgis; four grandchildren: Emily, Michelle (Peter), Corrine and Michael Connor; three great grandchildren; daughter-in-law: Kristy Munson of Coral Springs, Florida; Sister: Patricia (Steve) Woltman of Portland, Oregon; Helen’s children: Gregory (Cindy) Siebenthal of Coronado, California, Bryan (Karen) Siebenthal of Salem, Connecticut, Kevin (Pamela) Siebenthal of San Diego, California, Brent (Liz) Siebenthal of South Bend, Indiana, Barrett Siebenthal of Bronson and Bradley (Debbie) Siebenthal of Plant City, Florida; daughter-in-law: and Jacqueline Siebenthal of Escondido, California and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son: Michael Munson; brothers: Richard Munson and William Munson and step-son: Jeffrey Siebenthal.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Oct. 3rd at the Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Coach Munson will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. The family requests that Sturgis Trojans or Constantine Falcon (his two favorite teams) attire be worn at the visitation and services.

Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Michael Munson Scholarship Fund c/o: the Sturgis Community Foundation, 310 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.