WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Carol Ann Keagle, age 77, of Portage, Michigan, and former Sturgis resident, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday evening, May 28, 2025, at the Bronson Methodist Hospital emergency room in Kalamazoo.
She was born in Sturgis on July 10, 1947, daughter of the late Donald R. and Elsie (Smoker) Wittenberg.
Carol has resided in Portage since 2013 coming from Arizona where she lived for seven years. Her early life was spent in Sturgis where she was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1968. She furthered her education at the University of Michigan where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She moved on to Western Michigan University earning a master’s degree in education and then on to University of California Santa Barbara where she pursued her doctorate in education.
On March 26, 1994, she married John Keagle at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis.
Carol’s career began at Bangor Public Schools for a short time before moving on to Hastings Public Schools where she taught English and mathematics and later became a school counselor. Upon moving to California, she accepted a position as dispatch operator with the Santa Barbara County 911 and volunteer member of the Flying Squad. In 1992 she returned to Michigan and became the first director of St. Joseph County 911. Carol had a calling and passion for counseling. She was the director of counseling at Howe Military Schools in Howe Indiana and counseled at Northeastern Counseling Center in LaGrange, and Westview School Corporation in Topeka, Indiana. Carol retired in 2013 from the Tucson School System in Tucson, Arizona.
She and John volunteered with the Pima County Attorney Crisis Intervention Team and were currently volunteering their time at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Carol held a private pilot license and had flown all over the United States. She enjoyed collecting bears and swimming, and was a lifeguard at Camp Fort Hill. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Carol’s joy of helping others continued after her death as she was a donor to Gift of Life Michigan.
She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 31 years: John; son: Jeffrey (Sara) Keagle of Sturgis; daughters: Julie (Luke) Parsons of Sturgis and Jennifer (Bruce) Litke of LaGrange, Indiana; 10 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; brother: Thomas Wittenberg of Kalamazoo and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In honoring Carol’s wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, June 7th at Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis. Private committal of the remains will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date.
Carol had a love for animals, the family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in her name consider the Kalamazoo Humane Society, 2272 River Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
