Ralph E. "Butch" Briggs

On September 18, 2022, Ralph Briggs passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully in his home on the lake.
He is survived by his brother Jerry and his five children, Shellie McQueen, Michael, Carl, Benjamin, and Nathan Briggs, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in passing by his Loving wife of 64 years Gladys Faye, and his two grandsons, Bryan McQueen, and Matthew Briggs.
Ralph was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on July 3, 1938 to Howard and Elva Briggs. Ralph grew up in a time that was simpler, and an appreciation for simple things was enough. Ralph participated in football, and baseball where he excelled as an athlete and an active member of his small community of Hickory Corners. Ralph's plans to continue his education and sports were in one moment changed, when he met the love of his life, Gladys Faye. Anyone who met him has heard his "love at first sight" story and how he beamed sharing the introduction from a friend to the one true love of his life "Faye". There are many other stories he loved to share about his 14 years in the service including time spent in Vietnam, Germany, Okinawa, and teaching at the engineering school in Ft. Benning Georgia. The place and times would change but with every story, there was always the common theme of Gladys, and family that truly was the center of his purpose as well as the message of Love he was always so willing to share. In his 84 years on earth, anyone lucky enough to know him and get a glimpse of his story, truly left knowing they had met a man who had truly found the meaning of life and the contentness that comes with being humble as well as appreciative of sharing life with those he loved. For those who got closer, they were shown the clear example of what being a father, grandfather, friend, and husband is supposed to look like. The years of walking to work multiple jobs to feed his family, as well as the way he never missed an event for either his children and or grandchildren. Ralph loved with a passion for life that was both selfless as well as committed to others, never wavering for what he believed to right to him as well as what he thought was right for you.
You set the bar high for us Pop, and for that we are forever grateful for the time we had! We will forever be grateful for the example of how to be Human and optimistic in the "Not so Simple" time we are currently in. I know if you had your way, you'd be here to continue showing us the path, but rest peacefully with Gladys. Your work here is done, and you have honorably left a proud legacy and example of what being a Husband, Father, Grandfather, son, and Friend should look like. Ralph's family will receive friends on Friday, September 23, 2022, 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home where his funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 9:00 AM. Burial will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Ralph's family.