Martha May (Watkins) Bregger

Martha May (Watkins) Bregger, 87, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, surrounded by family. She was born January 26, 1936 on her grandparents’ farm in Covert. She met her husband Don while working at Gough Brothers’ Grocery Store in Bangor. After graduating from Bangor High School, she attended beauty school in Kalamazoo, got her first job at the beauty parlor in Gilmore’s Department Store, and eventually moved and started working for Jack Lange at Vogue Beauty Parlor in South Haven. After dating for a year, she married Don in November 1956. After she was married for a few years, she left the salon to work on the Bregger family farm with Don. She also worked at the Bangor Reminder, Du-Wel, ran a fruit market at their house appropriately named “Martha’s Market,” and raised four children. She was an Arlington Township trustee for many years and the only woman to serve on their Board of Trustees. Martha enjoyed numerous hobbies, such as sewing, gardening, cross-stitching, baking apple and cherry pies, and crafting with her sisters.  Later in life she became an avid reader and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds in her yard.  

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Don and siblings, Kathy (Bud) Curry, Tom Watkins, and Doug Radar. 

She is survived by her sisters Judi (Don) Weis and Helen (Ray) McIntosh; daughters Lisa (Allen Janusz) Bregger of Hopland, CA, and Vicki (Rob) Seth of Plainwell, MI; sons Louis Bregger of Bangor and Rob (Linda) Bregger of Muskego, WI; seven grandchildren Nia, Sonja, Arjuna, Aaron, Alex, Hannah and Steven; and four great grandchildren: Ocean, River, Forrest, and Fiona.

A celebration of Martha’s life will be planned for a later date. Check back for further details.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Martha’s guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Bregger family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. 269-679-5622