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Alice Redmond, age 99, of Sturgis, died Friday, June 13, 2025, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
Alice was born June 24, 1925, in Sidnaw, Houghton County, MI, the eldest daughter of Neil and Alma (Powell) Hogmire.
She moved with her parents to Branch County in 1940 and graduated from Bronson High School as salutatorian in 1942. She was secretary of her class, voted Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizen, and was co-editor of the school yearbook.
On October 13, 1944, she and Bruce Redmond were married in Berrien Springs. They lived in Bronson until moving to Sturgis in 1972.
Alice retired in 1981 as managing editor of the Sturgis Journal, a circulation of 10,000. At the time it was a rarity for a woman to be in that position. She began as a reporter, covering meetings such as the board meetings of Glen Oaks Community College which was then in the planning stages. The paper was locally owned by Harold Pringle and located at the corner of Jefferson and W. Chicago Rd. and linotype machines with hot lead were used in the composing room. He sold to Green Bay Paper Company which built a new building at the corner of N. Clay and John Streets and the offset method of printing was initiated. By the time Alice retired Gannett, establisher of U.S. Today, owned the Journal.
Previously, Alice wrote for the Coldwater Reporter, Bronson Journal, and Battle Creek Enquirer. She was the librarian in Bronson for six years and then served on the Library Board. In earlier years, Alice worked at Douglas Mfg. Co. in Bronson and Kirsch Co.
Alice was an emeritus member of the National Federation of Press Women and a life member of Michigan Press Women, winning state and national awards in journalism through these organizations and attended state and national conventions. She served in several capacities and then as vice president and president of the state organization. Her work in journalism is recorded in the book “Michigan Press Women—Yesterday and Today” by Willah Weddon.
Alice had been a member of Child Study Club and Women’s League as well as a Cub Scout leader in Bronson
Her volunteer work included serving on the St. Joseph County Cancer Board, in the office of the Salvation Army, the Red Cross Bloodmobile, Meals on Wheels, Thurston Woods, and three hospital guilds at various times.
She is survived by two sons and their spouses, Dennis Redmond and Joan McInerney of Hinsdale, IL and Robert and Rose Redmond of Brighton, MI and Elgin, SC; sister Donna Wood of Sturgis (whom she and her husband raised after the death of her parents): three granddaughters, Mrs. Michael (Leigh Anne) Denja of Plymouth, MI, Mrs. Michael (Erin) Houghten of West Linn, OR and Mrs. Aaron (Maeve) Mason of Cincinnati, OH; a grandson, Sean Redmond of Highland Park, IL; ten great granddaughters, Mrs. Tyler (Maria) Devries and Carmen, Isabel, Paulina and Luciana Denja, Kendall and Avery Mason, and Mairead and Nadine Houghten, and Whitney Redmond ; six great grandsons, Michael, Peter and Mateo Denja; Will, Lowell and Beckett Redmond and two great great granddaughters Rosalina and Gianna Devries, several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Bruce, sisters Mrs. (Carol) Ankney, Mrs. (Mary Jean) Bogucki and a brother Richard at the age of six months
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on June 24 at 1:30 at Thurston Woods Village, Sturgis. That coincidentally would have been Alice’s 100th birthday.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
Any memorials may be directed to the Branch District Library – Bronson Branch, 207 N. Matteson St., Bronson, MI 49028 or the charity of your choice.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
