Karl Jon Schulze

     Karl Jon Schulze, age 79, of Fowler, MI, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, at AdventHealth Zephyrhills in Zephyrhills, FL.
     Funeral Services will be held at the Maple Rapids Congregational Christian Church, Maple Rapids, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 16, 2026. Burial will take place at Payne Cemetery, Fulton Township, MI.  Pallbearers will be his sons and grandsons:  Kevin Jay Schulze, Kenton James Schulze, Kristopher Jon Schulze, Kurtis Jason Schulze, Keathan Schulze, Kaiden Schulze, Kenneth Schulze, and Kyler Schulze. Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Osgood Chapel, St. Johns, MI, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.
     Karl was born in St. Johns, MI on November 15, 1946, the son of Kenneth A. and Marge A. (Monroe) Schulze. He was a graduate of Fulton High School. Karl honorably served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard. On July 9, 1966, he married the love of his life Sharon “Shari” Ann Wright and they were married 59 ½ years.
     Karl worked at General Motors for 32 years, retiring from Fisher Body Plant in 1998. An outdoorsman through and through, Karl was an avid bow hunter who tracked white-tailed deer across Michigan and pursued bear in Canada. He also enjoyed being on the golf course with friends when you could get him out of his Lazy Boy while he was cheering—with legendary passion—for his favorite sports teams Michigan State University, the Red Wings, Lions, and the Tigers. In his later years, he and Shari enjoyed their winters in the Florida sunshine.
     Karl’s legacy lives on through his wife, Sharon “Shari” Schulze. Karl took great pride in passing down his legacy through his four sons, all of whom share his initials, K.J.S.—a tradition that has proudly continued through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His sons include: Kevin Jay (Sharon McDaniel) of Dallas, TX; Kenton James (Krista Moorman) of DeWitt, MI; Kristopher Jon (Melissa) of Muskegon, MI; and Kurtis Jason (Darci) of Fowler, MI; grandchildren: Kortnie, Jasmine, Kendra, Keathan, Karley, Kamie, Kaiden, Kristina, Kenneth, Addison, Kori, and Kyler; great-grandchildren: Kingston, Demmie, Kali, Kyson, Kenley, Dominic, and Valor; his “favorite” niece, Annette (Randy) Siverston; great-nieces: Brigette (Wes) Buhl and Angela (Aaron) Rettelle; and many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Clinton and Lorraine Wright; granddaughter, Kegan Jade; his brother Kenneth “Jim”; his sister Sharon; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Edward Riedy; sister-in-law, Donna Ueberroth; and nephew, Edward Reidy.
     Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Osgood Chapel, St. Johns,Michigan.