Alva Jean Morgan, 70, lifelong resident of Allegan, MI, passed away in the early hours of Monday, November 25, 2024 at Briarwood Assisted Living. Born February 7, 1954 in Allegan, she was the daughter of the late Bernard and Esther (Foote) Ackerman. Alva was dedicated to the students and athletes of the Allegan area as evidenced by her years of commitment to youth sports. Throughout her years of involvement, she had coached cheerleading, softball, basketball, volleyball and tennis and was even named the 1997 Assistant Tennis Coach of the Year by the MHSTeCA. Alva’s dedication to Allegan sports did not end with coaching, however; she was also a volleyball and basketball referee and a member of the Allegan Sports Boosters. Alva was also an advocate of the arts and a member of the Allegan Arts Council. She participated year after year in the Cabaret Band Show, donating countless hours of her time and talent, helping to raise thousands of dollars while entertaining hundreds of crowds for Wings of Hope Hospice and the Allegan Arts Council. Alva also gave willingly of her time as she led the First Congregational Church Choir as their director. She owned and operated AJ Framing and worked as an Instructional Assistant for Allegan Public Schools for many years prior to her well-deserved retirement. Alva was a mother, mentor, coach and teacher to many kids and young adults in the middle and high schools that had contact with her. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.
Alva is survived by her significant other of the past twenty-one years, Ron Mehalski; children, Joshua (Shay) Morgan and Dana (Desman) Spurgeon; siblings, Gary (Nancy) Ackerman, Al (Jennette) Ackerman, and Larry (Sharon) Fales; sister-in-law, Cathie Ackerman; grandchildren, Hudson and Hendrik Morgan, and Cashton and Lennix Spurgeon; numerous nieces and nephews; and the Morgan family, who has remained near and dear to her heart throughout the years. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bernie Ackerman.
A memorial gathering will be held at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, on Friday, November 29, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Wings Home, 530 Linn Street, Allegan, MI 49010 are suggested.
