Ann Ware of Sturgis reflected on the upcoming Father’s Day and her dad, Richard Ware.
"My dad is 88 years young and we almost lost him two years ago in July, so we really take every holiday seriously," Ware said.
Whether it’s Easter, Christmas Eve, or birthdays with her father’s special request of strawberry shortcake, tradition is important to the family.
"This year, I’m hoping to get together and have a small dinner," Ware said. "If not, we will still share the traditional nuts a candy bar and of course scratch off lottery tickets, his favorite."
COVID-19 has made the family more cautious, she said. Recently, family members took part in testing, so they feel more comfortable getting together, she said.
Richard, born in Mendon and now a Sturgis resident, has been married to Dolores for 66 years.
"They are a perfect example of the love we strive to have," said Ann, one of the couple’s four children. Sister Deb Miller also lives in Sturgis.
He is "Papa" to six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with another on the way.
"The kids share a secret bond and a secret handshake that ends with a thumb touch," Ann said.
The family took many camping trips, and Ann’s favorite memory was in Tawas City, where her parents put her on a banana bike, with her wearing fashionable bell-bottom jeans.
"Bell bottoms and bike chains do not mix very well," she said. "The harder I pedaled, the more entwined I became. I was screaming through the campground for my daddy’s help to remove me. He found me and pulled out his trusty jackknife to remove me from the killer chain that I thought was going to take my leg.
"There are so many memories and I often find myself with a tear reflecting on the past and thinking how lucky I am to have both my parents especially after being a later in life child."
Other local residents plan to honor their fathers in various ways.
"I am one of six kids and normally Father’s Day is spent with a large gathering," said Betsie Drumm of Sturgis. "In these uncertain times, I will be getting my dad, Mike Thomasma, a big steak and enjoying a meal together for Father’s Day."
Karin Davis of Sturgis will be celebrate the occasion over the phone with her father, Norm Anderson of Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
"He was and is an amazing dad," she said. "My parents divorced in the 1970s and he got custody of my brother and me. That was very unheard of in those times. I’m sure it was very rough on him, but he never let it show. He was a school teacher and painted homes over the summers to help make ends meet. He has a hysterical sense of humor and is an amazing person."
Brittney Cinco of Sturgis and her family plan to fulfill her father’s longtime desire to take a family houseboat trip. Nineteen of them will travel to Dale Hollow Lake, Tenn., and spend a lot of time fishing.
Callie Kruggel’s father moved to Florida last year, so she and her husband will make a quick overnight trip to see him there on Father’s Day.
For the second year, Sturgis Academy of Martial Arts will hold a Father’s Day class event for students and their dads and guardians. They participate in a fun martial arts workout with solo and partner drills, and the adults earn their camouflage belt afterward.
Due to social distancing and the studio not being able to hold indoor classes, today’s event takes place at Oaklawn Park.
"This is the second year we’ve done it and the kids and dads have a really good time with it," said Katie Hamlin, co-owner of Sturgis Academy of Martial Arts.
For some, the holiday this year is especially difficult, because they recently lost their fathers.
"This is going to be my first Father’s Day without my dad," said Amanda Reynier of Sturgis, whose father, Bob Golden, of Three Rivers, passed away in September. "I’ve honestly been dreading it and trying to figure out how to celebrate my husband while mourning my dad. My dad loved to fish when he was healthier, so I think if the weather cooperates, I’ll go sit by the river and think of how lucky I (am) to be his daughter."
For Lisa Jacobs of Sturgis, this is also her first Father’s Day without her dad. Manuel Jacobs of Rome City, Ind., died the day before Valentine’s Day.
"Breaks my heart to think about it," she said.
He and his wife, Moselle, were married for 57 years, and raised four children.
"Dad worked hard in the foundry," Lisa Jacobs said. "Every Saturday, he kept all four kids home with him while mom went grocery shopping. He made it a day about her. And he took care of us. We played chase games and tag and tickled us. We loved that time with him. He worked a lot of hours to care for his family and we didn’t get to see him a lot through the week, so Saturday was our day to play with dad. I miss him so much."