Locations
StaffLife Story Funeral Director
scottbetzler@lifestorynet.com
Though he was born in the Detroit area, Kalamazoo is the place Scott Betzler calls home. He moved there in 1975 at the young age of five, accompanied by his parents and his elder siblings. The family lived above the Betzler and Donovan Funeral Home downtown on South Street, where Scott's parents ran the business. However, his primary interest as a young man was not the family business; instead, it was the game of golf. Scott played throughout his high school years, the freshman year of which he spent at Hackett Catholic Central. He then transferred to Kalamazoo Central High School, graduating in 1988. At Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Scott earned an associates degree, continuing to work on his golf game with the KVCC team.
Although Scott had grown up surrounded by the funeral profession, it was not until he began working for his father at the age of 18 that he really began to take interest in it as a career option. Working part-time at the funeral home allowed Scott the chance to witness exactly what it was that his father did. He flooded his father with questions, the answers to which inspired him to follow in the same direction. Scott decided to put his golf clubs into storage (temporarily) to pursue a degree in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University. By 1991 he had graduated, and was eager to begin his professional career.
As a welcomed addition to his father's funeral home, Scott was given the responsibility of managing both the funeral homes. One event that helped Scott identify with grieving families was the death of his close friend, Don Stone. Not only was the loss of his friend (who had been his golf partner and attorney) an emotional experience for Scott, it was also a life-changing event. It allowed him to truly see himself in each of the grieving family members he met. Scott still thinks of Don often, and his appreciation for life has inspired him to make his work more about the celebration of life than the loss of it.
Scott has seen the healing effect the Life Story Network® provides. It has completely changed the way he himself is able to serve grieving families. The positive reactions he receives from those who use the Life Story service are overwhelming, and give him the kind of reassurance he needs to work continually in an emotionally sensitive field.
Outside of his time as a Life Story Funeral Director, Scott remains committed to serving the community. He has sat on the board of directors and volunteers with the Kalamazoo Humane Society and is the founder of Precious Pets, Pet Cremation & Burial Services. Scott has a faithful companion (a Golden Retriever) named Hollie, who accompanies him daily to the funeral home as a therapy dog.
Scott and his wife Julie, who works as a RN, own a home in Mattawan. They live with their son Cooper, who was born on August 27, 2003, and Julie's grandmother, Rosemary. As a family they enjoy spending time playing cards, visiting friends, or spending warm summer days at Lake Michigan. Scott and Julie also like to travel to sunny Arizona, where they visit Scott's mom and sisters. And of course, Scott spends any of his remaining time at his second home - the golf course.
Although Scott had grown up surrounded by the funeral profession, it was not until he began working for his father at the age of 18 that he really began to take interest in it as a career option. Working part-time at the funeral home allowed Scott the chance to witness exactly what it was that his father did. He flooded his father with questions, the answers to which inspired him to follow in the same direction. Scott decided to put his golf clubs into storage (temporarily) to pursue a degree in Mortuary Science from Wayne State University. By 1991 he had graduated, and was eager to begin his professional career.
As a welcomed addition to his father's funeral home, Scott was given the responsibility of managing both the funeral homes. One event that helped Scott identify with grieving families was the death of his close friend, Don Stone. Not only was the loss of his friend (who had been his golf partner and attorney) an emotional experience for Scott, it was also a life-changing event. It allowed him to truly see himself in each of the grieving family members he met. Scott still thinks of Don often, and his appreciation for life has inspired him to make his work more about the celebration of life than the loss of it.
Scott has seen the healing effect the Life Story Network® provides. It has completely changed the way he himself is able to serve grieving families. The positive reactions he receives from those who use the Life Story service are overwhelming, and give him the kind of reassurance he needs to work continually in an emotionally sensitive field.
Outside of his time as a Life Story Funeral Director, Scott remains committed to serving the community. He has sat on the board of directors and volunteers with the Kalamazoo Humane Society and is the founder of Precious Pets, Pet Cremation & Burial Services. Scott has a faithful companion (a Golden Retriever) named Hollie, who accompanies him daily to the funeral home as a therapy dog.
Scott and his wife Julie, who works as a RN, own a home in Mattawan. They live with their son Cooper, who was born on August 27, 2003, and Julie's grandmother, Rosemary. As a family they enjoy spending time playing cards, visiting friends, or spending warm summer days at Lake Michigan. Scott and Julie also like to travel to sunny Arizona, where they visit Scott's mom and sisters. And of course, Scott spends any of his remaining time at his second home - the golf course.
