Ken Shane, 84

Kenneth Arnold Shane, age 84, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday evening, December 8, 2022 at the home of his daughter Kathy in Alto, Michigan.

He was born July 26, 1938 in Chicago, son of the late Leo and Elsie (Feuereisen) Shane.

Ken’s early life was spent in Winnetka, Illinois where he was a graduate of New Trier High School with the class of 1956. He furthered his education at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado earning a BA degree in business in 1960. While at Colorado College he became a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, was part of the ROTC program and participated in intramural wrestling.

Ken was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963. While stationed in Virginia he went on a blind date meeting the love of his life, Kay A. Taylor and he and Kay were married June 1, 1963 and were blessed with 59 years of marriage.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Ken settled his family in the Chicago suburbs and began his career with Rand McNally. In 1970 he accepted the position of Comptroller with Weyerhauser and soon transferred to White Pigeon. In the late 1970s the company was sold to Artistic Carton and it became the White Pigeon Paper Company. He had always hoped to transfer to the West Coast, Seattle, Washington area but loved all his friends and his community so very much that he made the decision to stay in Sturgis. Ken retired in 2005 following 35 years of dedicated employment.

He was a member of the National Accountants Association and longtime member of the White Pigeon Rotary Club where he held various board member roles but mostly as the club treasurer and received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

He enjoyed traveling, geography, history and waterfalls, doing jigsaw puzzles, fishing, playing golf, music including German yodeling, Canadian Brass and several unique artists. Ken had hobbies and interests but what he truly loved was time spent with his family and friends and life in general.

He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 59 years: Kay; daughter: Kathy (Edward) Smith of Caledonia and their children: Joseph and Bridgette; daughter: Keri Shane of Evanston, Illinois; son Kirby Shane of Dewitt and his children: Taylor and Payton; brother: Richard Shane of Brevard, North Carolina; sister: Irene Klotz of Riverdale, New York and several nieces and nephews.

In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. A gathering of family and friends to honor and celebrate the life of Kenneth A. Shane will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 Thursday at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis where full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard at 7:00pm Thursday.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Shane’s memory consider the White Pigeon Community Service Club.

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.