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Betty Barber

June 24, 2016
Kalamazoo, MI

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Betty J. Barber, age 91, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away surrounded by her family, Friday, June 24, 2016 at Life Care Center in Plainwell. She was born April 2, 1925 in Grand Rapids the daughter of Paul and Sophia (Marciniak) Waichum. Betty attended Mount Mercy Academy in Grand Rapids and moved to Plainwell after graduation. She had worked at Wieshuiser Paper Mill where she met Lawrence Barber and on January 10, 1948 they were married. Together they had two daughters and she was able to remain at home as they were growing up. Betty lost her husband in November of 1968 so she began working at Kal-Quip and remained there for several years. In the 1980's Betty moved to Kalamazoo and lived independently until her passing. In her spare time she enjoyed bowling, reading, playing the piano, riding her bicycle and collecting miniature bicycles. Betty loved spending time with her family and had enjoyed camping with both of her daughters and their families along with visits to Washington DC, Virginia, the Mackinac Bridge and Florida. Surviving are her children, Sue (Jim) Newcomb and Mary Jane Barber- Sleeman; grandchildren, Nathan (Shawn) Newcomb, Corey (Tricia) Newcomb and Matthew (Chris) Sleeman; great-grandchildren, Ally, Kailah and Hailey Newcomb; sisters-in-law, Mildred Bos, Doris Schuiteboer, Beatrice Gauthier and Beverly Gauthier; many nieces and nephews and her special friends, Barbara Hughes and Dottie Goodwin. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Robert Waichum, brothers in-law, Gerald Barber, Roger Gilligan, Howard Stull, Joe Gauthier, George Gauthier, Don Woodhams, Chester Walker, Jay Bos, Mike Schuiteboer and Art Roberts and sisters in-law, Lillian Stull, Marge Gilligan, Lucille Woodhams, Lucille Barber and Geraldine Waichum. According to her wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may visit with Betty's family Saturday, July 9, 2016 starting at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 A.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. A private family burial of ashes will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Heartland Hospice of Kalamazoo or to the charity of your choice.