David Grover Kugel, 87, of Berrien Springs, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 10, at 11 AM at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 429 Rosehill Rd., Berrien Springs. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, July 9, from 5 PM until 7 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gabriel Catholic Church or the National Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at Breakthrough T1D, https://www.breakthrought1d.org/. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchigner.com.
Dave was born September 13, 1936, in Benton Harbor, to Grover & Margaret (Brodigan) Kugel. He graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1954 and continued his education by attending Michigan State University’s Horticultural Program. He served our country by proudly enlisting in the United States Army and following his return home, Dave married the love of his life, Florine Reisig, on November 29, 1958, in Buchanan. Dave’s passion for his family’s fruit farm, established in 1930, led him to continue working there and in 1963 he took over the farm growing three main crops – apples, peaches and cherries. He was a proud member of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA), the Michigan Red Tart Cherry Information Advisory Board and the Baroda American Legion. However, what Dave loved the most was spending time with his family.
Dave is survived by his wife of 65 years, Florine; children, John (Teresa) Kugel of Berrien Springs, Pam Kugel of Benton Harbor, Donna Christ and Mike (Meghan) Kugel both of Indiana; grandchildren, Brooke, Greg, Courtney, Andrea, Gabrielle, Lauren, Connor, Collin, Levi, Mason and Emme; great-grandchildren, Reese, Simone, Owen and Julian; and siblings, Rosemary Burch and Kathy (Nick) Tomasi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover & Margaret and brother, Gerald Kugel.
Posted On: Monday, July 8, 2024 9:48 AM
