Karen Michelle Ayres, 66, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born April 22, 1957, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Leonard Mann and Eunice (Granat) Mann.
Karen devoted her working years and free time to the educational system. For 20 years, she was a bus driver for Mattawan Consolidated School. She loved all the children that rode on her bus. She was a member of the Paw Paw School Board for 25 years, twenty of those serving as president. Karen played a crucial role in the development of the new Paw Paw High School and Performing Arts Center. She enjoyed helping with the school sporting events and fundraisers. She was thrilled to be voted “Educational Hero Award” in June 2016.
She is survived by her husband; Joel Ayres, whom she married on Oct. 7, 1978; son, Jonathon Ayres; daughter, Jennifer (Gregory) Ayres; grandchildren, Ben, Raquel, and Quintin Ayres; along with one brother, Richard (Ginny) Mann.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, John Mann.
Family and friends are invited to visit today (Thursday, March 7), at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. with Kenny Smeader officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Paw Paw Public Schools to be used for future grants for teachers. Checks may be made payable to “Paw Paw Public Schools” Include “In Memory of Karen Ayres” in the memo. 119 Johnson Road, Paw Paw, MI, 49079.