John Booden

Booden, John M. Kalamazoo, MI John Morris Booden, 83, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice on September 4, 2022, with his family by his side. He was born July 25, 1939, in Kalamazoo to the late Marine and Ann (Brunsting) Booden. John was a 1957 graduate of Kalamazoo Christian High School, where he was class president during his freshman and senior years. He attended Calvin College for one year, returned to Kalamazoo and married his high school sweetheart, Judith Van Der Slik. John graduated from Western Michigan University with his BBA in 1962. He served in the US Army's 6-month active-duty program and was honorable discharged in 1965. John and Judy were married for 25 years, and had two sons, Scott, and Michael. The family enjoyed many good times and camping trips in a prized airstream camper. On August 10, 1985, he married his great love, Carol Werner Burrington, and inherited 3 stepdaughters, Margaret, Susan, and Stacy. John retired from the Upjohn Co., after 30 years, as Executive Director of Corporate Purchasing and received the coveted Upjohn Award in 1986. He volunteered his time in many capacities for the Kalamazoo Christian Schools, for his churches and the Kalamazoo Historical Commission. John started playing the French Horn at an early age and played in the Calvin University's band and orchestra. After some time away from music, he resumed playing the French Horn and played briefly with the Second Reformed Church orchestra. He also enjoyed golf, travel, plays, concerts, and many friendships. In retirement, John and Carol traveled to many parts of the world, with favorites being Alaska, Australia, New Zeeland, Europe and cruising the Mediterranean, with a transatlantic crossing. It was also their privilege to spend 25 winters in their beloved Venice, FL home. God deeply enriched their lives with 37 years of marriage. John was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn Booden and niece Tammy VanTil. He is survived by his wife Carol, siblings Carol VanTil and Paul (Marge) Booden, sons Scott and Michael Booden; step daughters Margaret (Steve) VanderWoude, Susan Marcoccia and Stacy Burrington; grandchildren Brad (Megan) and Matt VanderWoude; Nicolas and Greta Marcoccia; and Joshua and Casey Siscoe, great grandchildren Stella and Henry VanderWoude; sister and brother in-laws Diane (Terry) Anderson and Bob (Pat) Werner, and many special nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many Dear, Dear friends. Visitation will be held 4-7pm Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th St, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Funeral services will be held 10am Friday, September 16th in Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, with Pastor Chris Romig and Pastor Kevin Hart officiating. A reception will follow the service. Private graveside services will be held in Genessee Prairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in John's memory to the Marion M. & Leo F. Werner Endowed Nursing Scholarship at KVCC, Centrica Care Navigators, or the charity of your choice. To view John's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com