Carl L. Reff

Carl L. Reff of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away unexpectedly with is wife by his side on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. He was 89 years old. Carl Leon Reff was born on June 12, 1936, in Bay City, Michigan, to the late Peter and Eleanor (Buzzard) Reff. He married Donna Marie Goodeman on June 2, 1956, at Kochville United Methodist Church; she survives him. Carl was the owner and operator of City Sewer Clearners in Saginaw, retiring in 1992, with over 40 years of loyal and dedicated service. Above all his accomplishments, the role he held most dear to his heart was being a loving, caring, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. As a young man, Carl enjoyed the outdoors, especially deer hunting in the U.P. with his father and brothers. An antique car collector, Carl and Donna were members of the “Cars of the Past Touring Club” where they participated in local car shows. He believed each car had its own history and found joy in preserving vehicles from the past. Carl was also a motorcycle enthusiast and loved Harley Davidson’s. According to him, nothing was a motorcycle unless it was a Harley. He will forever be remembered as the “king of dad jokes”, for the many adventures he had with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Donna Marie Reff of Saginaw; a daughter, Sharon Reff of Saginaw; Allen Reff of Saginaw; a granddaughter, Kelly (Nate) Berthume of Saginaw. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, additional family, and dear friends.

He as preceded in death by a beloved grandson, Ryan Rischack; parents, Peter and Eleanor Reff; one sister and two brothers: Irma (Les) Stebbins, George (Angeline) Reff, and Richard “Dick” (Martha) Reff; and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Wightman.

A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Pastor Leonard Clevenger will officiate. Burial will follow at Kochville Methodist Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.