Elaine Bindemann

Passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Rose Arbor Hospice, with her loving family by her side. Elaine was born in Chicago in 1929, the daughter of Roy M. and Florence (Jost) Clark. She graduated from Allegan High School, Allegan, MI and attended Eastern Michigan University. Elaine later received an Associates Degree in Accounting from KVCC. She worked as an accountant for Portage Public Schools for six years and for Vicksburg Schools as business manager for 13 years. After retirement, she also worked for Borgess Hospital. Elaine was treasurer and trip coordinator of the Kalamazoo Oratorio Society for 32 years, and arranged many memorable performance tours in Europe and New York. She also volunteered for many years with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. As a Girl Scout leader, she was one of the first in the nation to take a troop on an overseas trip, a tour of England and France. Elaine was a member of the Boy Scouts Wood Badge Association, where she assisted with scout leader training. On August 27, 1949 she married Fredrick L. Bindemann, who preceded her in death on October 26, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Roy M. Clark Jr. and Charles Clark; a brother-in-law, Don Darling. Surviving are her children, Fredrick L. Bindemann II (Marnie) and Deena Karson of Kalamazoo and Suzanne Kelly (Richard) of Palo Alto, California; grandchildren, Nicholas, Benjamin (Amber), Haley, Peter, Cailin, Celia and Meriel; and great-grandchildren, Christopher, Connor, and Teagan. She is also survived by her sisters, Marilyn Nichols of Tucson, Arizona and Carol Darling of Three Rivers, her brother-in-law, Charles Bindemann (Marilyn) of Hannibal, Missouri, many nieces and nephews. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a visitation will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at 2:00 PM. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts of America, West Michigan Cancer Center, or Rose Arbor, c/o the funeral home. JOLDERSMA & KLEIN 917 S. Burdick 343-2628.