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Elwin “Bud” Lynn Haigh, age 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at his home in Three Rivers.
Bud was born on December 7, 1944 in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Elwin John Haigh and Rhoda (Alley) Haigh. He was raised in Manchester, Iowa, before he moved to southwest Michigan where he attended Vicksburg High School with the Class of 1963. On September 5, 1964, he married the love of his life, Virginia Bolton, in Vicksburg, beginning a devoted marriage that spanned 61 years.
Bud worked for American Axle and General Motors for over 27½ years before retiring. Never one to slow down, he filled his life with adventure and service. He raced stock cars, hill-climbed motorcycles, and even played donkey basketball against the Detroit Lions. Bud enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, and archery, and he was well known for being able to fix just about anything. Family often joked that he was never home because he stayed so busy—yet he would never let anyone else mow his lawn.
Bud was a proud and active member of the Three Rivers Fraternal Order of Eagles #2303, where he served as Past Grand Worthy President and President of his home Aerie twice. A man of deep generosity, Bud lived a life of service and was a passionate philanthropist, especially when it came to helping children. He helped raise funds for the Diabetes Research Center in Iowa, the Burn Center and he started the Music Program at Bronson Children’s Hospital.
Above all else, Bud loved his family. He cherished every moment with them and leaves behind a legacy of love that spans 30 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia Haigh of Three Rivers; his children, John Haigh of Mendon, and Michelle (Rich) Haigh-Barnes of Three Rivers; his grandchildren, Joshua (Viktoria) Haigh of Mendon, Jeremiah (Brittany) Haigh of Leonidas, Amanda (Kegan) Binkley of Three Rivers, Renay (Diego) Cortez of Three Rivers, Tristan (Annabel) Haigh of Miami, Florida, and Gabriel Haigh of Kalamazoo; 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; his brother, Robert Haigh of Three Rivers, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather; his daughter, Lisa Marie Haigh; his sister, Donna Ponto; and his beloved pets, Pudgy, his Boston Bulldog, and Punky, his cat.
The family will receive guests on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 at Ray Funeral Services, 305 Rock River Ave., Three Rivers, MI 49093, (269-278-1515).
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Ray Funeral Services, with Rev. Pastor Jamey Smith of Restoration Church in Constantine officiating. A graveside service will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are invited to consider a donation to Ray Funeral Services to assist the family with funeral expenses.
