Betty Jane DeFouw

Betty Jane DeFouw of Kalamazoo, MI passed peacefully at home with family, following a brave battle with Alzheimer's, on Wednesday October 7, 2015, at the age of 90. Betty Jane was born April 17, 1925, to the late Jacobus and Elizabeth (Heysteck) DeFouw. Betty was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High. She began her working life at KVP in Parchment, and soon moved to the Upjohn Co. where she retired in 1990, after 40 plus years of service. Betty was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. Betty enjoyed volunteering for the Shepard Center for many years. In addition to yearly trips to Arizona for family visits, Betty traveled to several European countries and Cuba, with her many friends. Betty Jane was a long standing member of Centerpoint Church (Third Reformed) in Kalamazoo. Betty was preceded in death by all of her siblings: Suzanna Gernaat, Gertrude Dekker, John DeFouw, Katherine Sexton, Thomas DeFouw, Cornelia Mitchell, and Elaine Nickels. A nephew, Robert Gernaat, Sr., also passed. Betty is survived by nieces and nephews: Shirley Schroen (Colorado), Blanche Turner (Ohio), Beverly Rowlson (Climax, MI), Patricia Gernaat (Plainwell, MI), Richard (Karen) Sexton (Mattawan, MI), Linda Lee DeFouw (Robert) Scripter (Phoenix, AZ), and Bruce (Colleen) Sexton (Kalamazoo, MI). Betty is also survived by 18 great nieces and nephews, several great great nieces and nephews, dear friend Judy Stearns and family, and many many good friends. Services will be held at 11:00am Tuesday, October 13 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street with Pastor Dar VanderWal officiating. Friends may meet the family at the funeral home Tuesday from 10-11:00 prior to the service. Private burial will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. The family would like to thank Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, especially Darci and Jodie, for their compassion, kindness and humor with Betty, and her family caregivers. Memorial contributions made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan will be appreciated.