Elizabeth Ann "Billie" Kavelman

Elizabeth "Billie" Ann Kavelman (Arink), age 90, died on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice. She was born on November 11, 1929, to Albert and Elethier Arink (Gearhart). She started playing the cello at age 8 and was found to be a very gifted student. She played in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony at age 13, was the youngest guest soloist to ever play with the Kalamazoo Symphony. When she was older, she played in the Kalamazoo Symphony and a certain trombone player Robert Kavelman saw her across the room. The friend sitting beside him said "That is the girl you're going to marry." They were married on August 13, 1949 at the United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo. August 13, 2020 was their 70th wedding anniversary. Elizabeth went to the Eastman School of Music before she married Robert. She went there on a full academic and performance scholarship. Love prevailed and she left Eastman to marry Robert. This didn't stop her from playing the cello in many different venues. A very special Performance was a cello/trombone duet with Robert. Elizabeth then went on to play in the University of Michigan Symphony. The Benton Harbor Symphony, and the Detroit Symphony. She played in many other venues too. While living in California, Elizabeth was in a string quartet. Elizabeth had a second career as an administrative assistant at the NCASI (the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement). She was surrounded by a special group of people and NCASI and was still in touch with some of them until her death. She worked at NCASI for 25 years and was missed when retiring. After retiring, Elizabeth and Robert enjoyed traveling to many countries "across the pond". They kept detailed journals which are a fascinating read. Elizabeth had a bout with breast cancer at age 57 and it never re-occurred. However, after retirement, she became a volunteer at the Discovery Shop, an upscale Thrift Shop that raises funds for the American Cancer Society. There she met many friends who had also gone through different forms of cancers and they formed a special bond. Elizabeth was preceded in death by five siblings: Ruth Mabie, Doris Cutillo, Robert Vernon Arink, Jeanne Arink, and Esther Clark. She is survived by her husband: Robert Arthur Kavelman; two daughters: Buff Suzanne Kavelman and Holly Beth Barnhart; one granddaughter: Anna Rose Barnhart and her fiance, Jesse Davis. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Elizabeth is also survived by friend: Leonard Machinsky. Memorial donations may be made to: The American Cancer Society and The Kalamazoo Symphony. Private family services will be held at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Please visit Elizabeth's personalized web page and guest book at https://www.langelands.com