WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Steven Ray “Butch” Easterday, age 69, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, June 25, 2025, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.
He was born on June 20, 1956, in Elkhart, the son of the late Dean and Dorothy (Long) Easterday. A lifelong resident of Sturgis, Butch graduated from Sturgis High School with the Class of 1974.
On September 25, 2004, he married Alice Hull in Sturgis. Together they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and devotion to family.
Butch was a gifted mechanical contractor. In 2008, he and Alice founded Fawn River Mechanical. Later, in 2015, he took over the well-established Lunger Heating and Cooling business in Sturgis. He continued serving the community with skill and dedication until his retirement in March 2025.
A man of faith, Butch was a member of Fish Lake Bible Church in Sturgis. He had a deep love for the outdoors and found joy in hunting, fishing, deer hunting trips to the Upper Peninsula, traveling, and watching thunderstorms. But above all, his happiest moments were spent surrounded by family, his grandchildren, especially, held a cherished place in his heart.
Butch is survived by his devoted wife, Alice; daughters: Abbie (Bob) Mathiak of Angola, and Suzanne (Ryan) Cross of Constantine; grandchildren: Camille and Christian Mathiak, Matthew, Sophia, and Benjamin Cross, Molly, Jacob, and Brody Ponstein, and Savannah Carr; great-granddaughter: Aurora Carr; stepdaughters: Faith Jackson of Utah, Corinne (Nick) Ponstein of Grand Rapids, and Courtney (fiancé Chase Conrod) Strang of Sturgis; sisters: Bea (Larry Stahl) Walls of Sturgis and Leah (Joe) Schuler of Rice Lake, Wisconsin; brother: Kenneth (Denise) Easterday of Angola, Indiana; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Matthew Easterday.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, and again from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30, at Fish Lake Bible Church, 25018 Banker Street Road in Sturgis. A funeral service celebrating Butch’s life will begin at 11:00 Monday at the church, with Pastor Tim Brondyke officiating. In accordance with Butch’s wishes, cremation will follow the service.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis has been entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Youth for Christ, PO Box 382, Sturgis, MI 49091.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
