Joseph B. Budge

Joseph Bruce Budge was born in Greenville, Michigan, to Robert and Eleanor Budge on October 9, 1955. He passed away at the age of 68, on June 28, 2024, at home after courageously dealing with heart disease.

Joe graduated from Greenville High School in 1974 and attended Central Michigan University before earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1980. Before starting his career, he spent several weeks in Thailand and Cambodia in a volunteer mission program that provided glasses to refugees. He started his career in Grand Rapids, employed by NuVision Optical, which later became Pearle Vision. He moved to the Kalamazoo office in 1983, where he remained until his retirement in 2016.

He married Joyce Drolen in 1985 and they celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on June 22nd. Those precious years were filled with family love as daughters, Emily and then Erica, were born. Joe was a model of kindness and patience as he nurtured them, played with them, and ran half marathons with them. He was Papa Joe to neighborhood friends. In 2017, he was father of the bride two times within eight weeks and managed to carry out the role perfectly. Grandchildren followed and he became beloved Bapa.

Joe was an active member of Bethany Reformed Church, where he served many terms as chair of the deacons and was part of the tech and sound crew. He performed his tasks with quiet grace and was much loved and respected. 

The development of his heart disease curtailed many of his activities, but in his last year he was able to enjoy a special time up north with kids and grandkids, to celebrate family birthdays and anniversaries, and to travel to see the total eclipse of the sun. When that amazing experience was over, he said, “We did it!”

His family includes his wife, Joyce; his daughters: Emily (Nick) Sasak and Erica (Andrew) Etienne; his grandchildren: Matthew and Eleanor Sasak and Elizabeth and Luke Etienne; his mother, Eleanor Budge; his brothers: Bob (Cheryl) Budge, Jim Budge, and Tom (Jen) Budge; his sister-in-law, Jan Drolen; and many other loved family members, including nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Budge.

The family thanks Gentiva Hospice, especially nurses, Melissa and Sarah, who monitored his condition this past year so he could participate in as many of life’s activities as possible.

Friends may visit with his family on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 PM, at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at Bethany Reformed Church, 1833 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, with Reverend Dave Zomer officiating, and a lunch reception to follow.

In memory of Joe, donations may be made to Bethany Reformed Church or Gentiva Hospice. Please share memories of Joe with his family at www.langelands.com