Billie Reeg, 88

Billie Yvonne Reeg, age 88, of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 21, 2016, surrounded by her loving family, at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville.
She was born Nov. 12, 1928, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Bryant and Clara (Francisco) Beckwith.
Billie was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1946.
She was first married to Milton Robert Speicher. He died Dec. 20, 1955. She married Wm. Dale Picker; this marriage ended in divorce. On May 8, 1993, she married Vernon D. Reeg in Sturgis. He died Oct. 27, 2001.
Billie had been employed by Ross Laboratories, Kirsch Company and J.C. Penney, all in Sturgis, and she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.
She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Capt. John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW Auxiliary and Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion Auxiliary. Billie enjoyed singing and dancing and for many years sang with area bands. During her youth, she was known as The Shirley Temple of Sturgis and had performed many times on stage at Strand Theater.
She is survived by two daughters, Patti (Steve) Stark of Sturgis and Debbie (Herb) Williams of White Pigeon; two sons, Michael (Cindy) Speicher of Galesburg and Charles Speicher of Sturgis; 10 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family gathering and celebration of Billie’s life will take place, with burial of the ashes at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Reeg’s memory consider ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56007; or Alzheimer’s Association , 350 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 20, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.