Ralph E. Stacey

Ralph Edward Stacey, age 83, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, at his winter home in Lakeland, Florida Ralph was born on July 17, 1942 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Arnold Floyd and Rena Tillie (Gernaat) Stacey. He was the oldest of ten children.

He joined the US Army on November 5, 1962. His basic training was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He attended Airborne School in 1963 and became a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. At the time of his discharge his rank was Sergeant E-5. While in the Army he married Jane Ide. They were married for 18 years. After the Army he began working at Green Bay Packaging in Kalamazoo, MI. He worked in the package design department and eventually became manager. On February 3, 1987 Ralph was granted a United States Patent as the inventor of a one-piece folded box construction having a hinged wall. He retired from Green Bay Packaging in 2001.

Ralph and Joyce met at Ridgeview Golf Course in 1982 and married on June 23, 1983. They were married for 38 years before Joyce passed away in December 2021. They lived at their home on Sherman Lake during the summer months and wintered at their home in Lakeland, Florida. They both enjoyed the game of golf, fishing, bowling, traveling and pontoon rides. Ralph enjoyed going to the casino. He was life-member of the Augusta VFW 7956.

He is survived by his children, Christine (Jim) Adams of Clermont, FL, Michelle (Dennis) Stacey-Braziel of Palm Coast, FL and Donald (Karin) Stacey of Löffelsterz, Germany; step-children, Rebecca (Mark) Emerson of Mattawan, MI and Douglas (Deborah) Alford of Jackson, MI; ten grandchildren, Andrea, Matthew, Emily, Crystal, Katlyn, Kyle, Tim, Ben, Sarah and Alex; nine great-grandchildren, Amara, Ella, Adelynn, Wyatt, Cooper, Davis, Sadie, Collins, Letizia and a grandchild due in June 2026; sisters, Carolyn Tucker, Marianne Wellington, Kitty Wayne; Rosie, his beloved cat, and a dear friend Rita Sinclair.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce L. Stacey; son, Ralph M. Stacey; parents, Arnold and Rena Stacey, sisters, Jeanne Dehollander, Nellie Stacey, Vicky Stacey and brothers Ernie Stacey, Butch Stacey and Benjamin Stacey.

The family would like to thank VITAS Hospice of Lakeland, FL for the wonderful care they provided Ralph.

A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083, followed by a committal service at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 12:00 PM. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

Memorial donations may be made to VITAS Hospice or the American Diabetes Association