Buddy Gene Stover died at his home in rural Morenci on Thursday, March 12, 2026, while under the care of his loving family and Elara Caring Hospice, days shy of turning 89. He was born March 16, 1937, in Ameagle, WV, the second of four children from the union of the late Clifford and Flossie (Williams) Stover. He lived his formative years in rural West Virginia, before moving with this family at age 18 to Michigan, leaving the coal mines to seek employment in automotive manufacturing.
On March 5, 1960, he married the love of his life, the former Joy Elaine Good, in Metz, Indiana. Together, they built a home in Munson in 1966 where they raised a family of five children, and created a 59-year legacy of faithfulness and happy memories before her death on July 6, 2019.
Buddy was employed as a tool and die maker for Stubnitz-Green until its closure, and finished his career at the former Cargotainer in Adrian until his retirement. He followed all West Virginia University sports, especially football, and was an avid Yankees fan. He also enjoyed coon hunting and raising fighting roosters. He was proud of his West Virginia heritage and visited each year with his family. He also took his kids to Cedar Point amusement park each year with extended family. His family was the center of his life, and he never missed a sporting or school event of one of his children or grandchildren. Perhaps nothing brought more joy to him than rocking the babies of his expanding family through the years. Buddy is remembered for a man of deep convictions who quietly modeled Christian love with his kind, easy-going and gentle personality.
Surviving Buddy is his daughter, Lori (Kevin) Wilson of Morenci; three sons, Todd (Angela) Stover of Morenci, Sean (Becky) Stover of Napoleon, OH, and Brandon (Laura) Stover of Morenci; 13 grandchildren, Melodee, Heather, Brittany, Tiffany, Nick, Ali, Eli, Tyler, Macey, Colton, Grant, Austin, Braylon; 14 great-grandchildren, Jadyn, Madelyn, Gracelyn, Kane, Benjamin, David, Matthew, Creed, Wren, Lilah, Sage, Miles, Bennett, and Kollyns; and two sisters-in-law, Sharon Stover of Fayette and Ona Mohler of Morenci.
In addition to his parents and wife, Buddy was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Noel Stover; his siblings, Jackie Andrews, and Franklin and Rudy Stover; and a grandson-in-law, Dusty Timberman.
The family will receive friends for visitation at the Marry Funeral Home in Morenci on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 3-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Darren Lemmon officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Morenci.
Memorial contributions in his honor can be made to benefit Caring Dunn Right in Morenci. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Marry Funeral Home, Morenci.