Obituary: Ralph Duane “Buck” Glenn
Ralph Duane “Buck” Glenn, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Spring Arbor Assisted Living in Spring Arbor, Michigan. He was born on August 3, 1925, in Gregory, Michigan, in the family farmhouse on Dutton Road, to Ralph E. and Clarabell (Robards) Glenn.
Buck was a dynamic presence throughout his 98 years, known for his sage advice delivered through colorful language and captivating storytelling. An avid reader, sports enthusiast, and local historian, he possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of names, facts, figures and stories, enriching conversations with his wealth of experience and humor. Buck also loved his dogs, and many may remember Perkins, an English bulldog, who was a socialite around town and high school sporting events.
A 1943 graduate of Stockbridge High School, Buck’s remarkable 80-year career included dairy farming for four decades, co-founding Glenn Brooke Realty, Ltd with three of his children, and working in various roles, including at Caskey Funeral Home and Jackson Prison. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and formerly of the Methodist Church.
Family was paramount to Buck, who cherished his role as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He married Beverly E. Miner on July 17, 1948, and together they raised four children and established a thriving dairy farm in Stockbridge.
Buck is survived by his wife of 75 years, Beverly; three children, Nathan Duane Glenn of Munith, Kristen Lee (Mark) Hartsuff of Phoenix, AZ, and Anne Marie (Mark) Glenn-Elias of Phoenix; a son-in-law, Jack Marshall of Stockbridge; his German exchange student son, Stefan (Barbara) Floeter; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer (Neal) Bookspan, Kathyrn (Abe) Kohler, Sara Hartsuff, Amanda (Liberty) Van Hine, Joshua Hartsuff, Lucas (Jodi) Hartsuff, Meghan (Aaron) Gerisch, Mallory Glenn, Morgan (Matt) Glenn, Alexandra Elias, Nicholas Elias and Annika Floeter; 16 great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Deborah Marshall; two sisters, Mavis Schaff and Marie Kotsch; grandson Christopher Nathan Glenn, and great-grandson Aric Urban Kohler.
Buck will be remembered as the stalwart patriarch of his family and a revered figure in the Stockbridge Area Community.
A celebration of Buck’s life will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mackinder-Glenn American Legion Post 510, located at 830 S. Clinton Street, Stockbridge, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Buck’s name to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital @stjude.org/donatetoday or the Moose charities @moosecharities.org. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
