Jacquelyn Stegman

1946 - 2025

Jacquelyn D. Stegman, 78, of South Haven, passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025 in South Haven at her home.

She was born to the late Bernhardt and Bernice (Walters) Schultz on May 31, 1946 in Chicago, Ill.

On May 20, 1967, Jackie married her husband, Ben Stegman at Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church in Bangor, Mich.

They shared 57 years of marriage and were a strong team and a great example of patience and problem solving.

Jackie and Ben were long-time members at Trinity and brought their children up in the Word of God leading by Christian example.

Later when they moved from Bangor to South Haven, they transferred their membership to St. Paul in South Haven.

Ben survives along with a daughter, Shelley (Greg Bodfish) Stegman and two sons, Brian (Julie) Stegman and Nick Stegman.

She leaves behind six grandchildren that she absolutely doted on, Mari (Austin) Miller, Colton, Braden, Tori, Talena and Eli Stegman. Also, surviving is a beloved sister, JoAnn (Paul, Sr.) Harden and a brother, Ben Schultz, a brother-in-law, Terry Page, who was married to her late sister, Louise "Cookie" Page. Jackie also leaves behind nieces and nephews and many, many close friends who touched her life.

When she was first married, she worked at Citizens Bank in South Haven. As the family began to grow, she became a stay-at-home mom.

She spent lots of time involved in many activities; Ladies Aid Guilds, Sunbeam and Girl Pioneer leader, AYSO coach, hot lunch mom, Geneva Knitters Club and so many more.

In 1984, Ben and she opened RE/MAX of South Haven. Jackie was the office administrator for RE/MAX until they sold the business.

She then went on to become the full-time spoiler of grandkids in her retirement. They were all her pride and joy.

Jackie loved to spend time with her family, sit in the sunshine, read, knit, sew, cook, bake, play cards and games and build puzzles – she really did it all!

She loved attending dance and sporting events for her children and grandchildren. She was always the family's biggest and loudest cheerleader.

She taught all of us to handle life with grace, strength, faith, love and laughter (sometimes laughter through tears). She was always just a phone call away to listen to anyone that needed her.

As a family, we will be lost without her here, but we rejoice that she is restored in God's grace and we will see her again in heaven.

Her final wishes were to be cremated and to have a memorial service at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Haven, where she was a member.

That service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26. A private burial will take place at McDowell Cemetery in the future.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Stallion Scholarship fund at St. Paul Lutheran School in South Haven in Jackie's name.

Donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran School earmarked for the Stallion Scholarship under her name.

Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements, 269-637-0333.