JJ Rial, 35

Jerry Justin “JJ” Rial, age 35, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at his home. He was born September 6, 1989 in Sturgis, a son of Jerry and Holly (Penn) Rial.  JJ attended Nottawa and Sturgis schools, where he played football, basketball, and baseball.

JJ worked at Basin Material Handling in Sturgis. He was a “jack-of-all-trades” and was artistic, enjoying drawing and painting.  JJ liked to cook, especially smoking meats. He was a jokester and loved time spent with family and friends. He was good at anything he did. He thought of himself as a protector.

Surviving are his three sons Mason Isaiah Patrick Rial, Colton Rial, Rhylin Fincher; Was like a dad to Mason & Justin Jenkins;  mother Holly (Nate) Morgan; father Jerry B. (Stephanie) Rial, brothers Dillon Penn, Cory Morgan, Kyle Harris; great grandmother Shirley Schrock, step grandma Bev Morgan ; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; nephew Brantley Davis and many friends. He was preceded in death by his great grandpa Jerry Penn and grandma LaVonne Penn.

Relatives and friends will be received Thursday at Eley Funeral Home in Centreville from 12 PM to 2 PM, where funeral services will follow at 2:00. Interment will be in Nottawa Township Cemetery. Pastor Erick Penn of Riverside Church will be officiating. Wear something red if you want in honor of JJ.  Visit JJ’s memorial page to leave a message for his family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.