Stella Gay Seagren Obituary

Stella Gay Seagren, 85, of St. Joseph, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Corewell Health Lakeland St. Joseph, surrounded by her loving family.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. A time of gathering will take place one hour prior from 12-1 also at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan.

Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Stella Gay was born on February 14, 1941, to Jesse and Vera (Wilson) Painter in Coal River, West Virginia. She graduated from Trap Hill High School in West Virigina.

On May 21, 1966, she married the love of her life, Arthur J., “Jim” Seagren in Lexington, KY. Together they built a home centered on love, devotion, and family.

Above all else, Stella Gay cherished her family. She was a devoted wife, an exceptional mother, and a dedicated homemaker whose greatest joy came from caring for those she loved. Her children and grandchildren were the heart of her life, and she treasured every opportunity to be with them. Whether watching her grandchildren, cheering them on at sporting events and activities, or simply spending time together, she was a constant source of love, encouragement, and support. She rarely missed an important moment in their lives and took great pride in celebrating each of their accomplishments and passions.

While Stella Gay enjoyed traveling and was fortunate enough to visit all 50 states as well as several destinations abroad, she always planned her adventures with her family in mind. She never wanted to be away from her loved ones for long or miss one of life’s special moments.

Stella Gay is survived by her daughters, Amanda (Michael) Rush and Stephanie (James) Rockey; grandchildren, Brandon Rockey, Natalie Rush and Ryan Rush; sister, Peggy (William Kurt) Brown; sister-in-law, Phyllis Painter; special family members, David (Victoria) Becknell, James Becknell and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Vera Painter; husband of 55 years, Jim Seagren; brother, Kenneth Painter and special aunt, Maxine Becknell.