WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
John Wayne Stuart, age 76, of Angola, passed away early Monday morning, March 16, 2026, at his home with his family at his side.
He was born January 21, 1950 in Sturgis, son of Paul Wayne and Phyllis Rose (Mast) Stuart.
John resided in Angola since 1996, coming from Sturgis, where he was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the Class of 1968. He furthered his education at Glen Oaks Community College, earning an associate degree.
John retired from the Sturgis Fire Department where he faithfully served his community as a full-time firefighter for 20 years, a career he took great pride in. A talented electronics technologist, John later worked alongside his father at Paul’s TV and Appliance in Sturgis following his retirement from the fire department. He later accepted a position at Sanborn’s Appliance in Angola, and eventually retired a second time from Office Concepts in Fort Wayne.
John was proud to have served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from December 2, 1970, until December 9, 1973, earning the rank of Specialist Five (SP-5). He was a member of V.F.W. Post #7205 in Angola.
John had a deep appreciation for firearms, military history, and aviation. For many years he never missed the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. He enjoyed cruising in his Ford Mustang, building and launching model rockets, and photography, especially capturing images of whitetail deer. He also took pride in mowing and maintaining his lawn, and treasured the time he spent with his family and his cats, Turdsley and Girlfriend.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Fisher of Three Rivers; son, Robert (Mindy) Stuart of Mendon; grandchildren, Katie, Madalyn, Max, Neshyiah, Alivia, Blake, Sophia and Logan; great-grandchildren, Greyson and Genyvieve; parents, Paul and Phyllis Stuart of Portage, Michigan; sisters, Nancy (Ron) Centers of Portage, and Mary (Mike) Hagelgans of Mendon; brother, David (Edith) Stuart of Sturgis; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Libbi.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 Thursday, March 19th at Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 E. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis, where funeral services celebrating the life of John Wayne Stuart will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 20th. Pastor John Kohler of VXV Church in Three Rivers will officiate. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 Friday at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, where full military honors will be conferred by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard.
Memorial donations would be appreciated to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 233 Fulton, Suite 102, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com
