Barbara J. (Ringler) Bugbee

BUGBEE, Barbara J. – of Chesaning passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at Paul Oliver Hospital in Frankfort. She was 93 years of age.

Barbara, daughter of the late Cecil and Mary Ringler was born in Constantine, MI on September 25, 1932. She was a 1951 graduate of Chesaning Union High School and a 1955 graduate of Michigan State University. Barbara was a teacher and taught in the Chesaning Elementary schools for 30 years before her retirement. She had been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Chesaning since 1942. Barbara was a member of the National Retired Teachers Association and the Chesaning Chapter No. 151 Order of the Eastern Star.  She had been a member of the MSU Green Splash  synchronized swimming team and in 1953, she was Chesaning’s first life guard.

She had two sons, the late Patrick McCalpin and Michael (Vicki) McCalpin; three grandchildren, Molly Kerby (and friend, Matthew), Nichole McCalpin (and friend, Nick), and Matthew (Anna) McCalpin; and six great-grandchildren.

In 1971, Barbara married Jack Bugbee. They shared 48 wonderful years together. With the marriage of Jack, she gained seven wonderful “Bugbee Bonus”  stepchildren, Nancy and Paul Doane of Grand Rapids, Brian and Sheila Bugbee of Midland, Cathy and Tim Parks of Grand Rapids, Jeff and Peggy Bugbee of Merrill, Jackie and Phil Rood of Comstock Park, Jamie and Matt Jankowski of Essexville, and the late Connie and Doug Kennedy; 15 “Bonus” grandchildren; and 26 “Bonus” great-grandchildren.

Loved ones who have preceded her in death include her son, Patrick McCalpin; husband, Jack Bugbee; sisters, Cecilia Wenzlick and Marilyn Harrison; grandson, Nicholas Bugbee; stepdaughter, Connie and Doug Kennedy; sisters-in-law, Bonnie and Jim Carroll, Janice and Norman Moon, and Lyrette and Gorden Netzley.

Honoring Barbara’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. You may light a memorial candle or share a memory at misiukfuneralhome.com.

Misiuk Funeral Home

202 South Front Street

Chesaning, Michigan 48616                        

989-845-3096 

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