Francis "Bud" K. Stearns

Francis K. “Bud” Stearns, 92 of Gaylord (and formerly of Alma) passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at McReynolds Hall (in Gaylord). Born on March 28, 1922 in Alma, Bud was the son of Fred and Clara (Slater) Stearns. Bud was a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II. On February 22, 1946, he married Natalie LaPaugh. Bud was a longtime lineman and then supervisor at Consumers Power Company and a former chief of the Alma Fire Department. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and competitive rifle shooting. Bud’s family will also remember the enjoyment he found in writing poetry and winemaking. He was a member of Alma VFW Post #1454 and numerous sportsmen’s clubs. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Natalie in 1992 and by his son Frederick W. Stearns in 2002. Surviving are his children, James Pat (Nancy) Stearns of Grayling, David N. (Jean) Stearns of Gaylord and Michael T. (Karen) Stearns of Houghton Lake; his daughter-in-law, Cheryl Stearns of St. Ignace; 11 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by sisters, Fern Stearns and Marie Johnson and a brother, John Alton Stearns. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 850 North Center Avenue and from 1:00-2:00 PM on Friday, December 19, 2014 at Masonic Pathways, Doig Chapel, in Alma, where funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM. Interment with military honors will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Otsego County Commission on Aging or VFW Post #1454 in Alma.