Barbara Spigelmyer

Barbara M. Spigelmyer, age 94, passed away on July 18, 2026, at Centrica Rose Arbor. She was born on January 15, 1932, to Walter and Dorothy (Baldwin) Youdell. Barbara was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University. On April 12, 1957, she married her high school and college sweetheart, Richard Spigelmyer. They were married for 68 years. Barbara was a teacher and her first teaching assignment was in the Fair Plain Schools near Benton Harbor, Michigan. Upon returning to Kalamazoo, she taught at the old North Westnedge and Brucker Elementary Schools. After 12 years at Brucker, she went to Milwood Elementary School where she taught kindergarten until 1982 and then moved to teaching first grade. She taught first grade for 30 years. Barbara was the Kalamazoo Public School teacher with the greatest seniority at 45 years at the time of her retirement. She ended her career at Milwood Elementary School - the same school where she attended kindergarten many years ago. She was a truly loving and giving person and was always concerned for the welfare of others, more than herself. Her family includes her sister, Judith Holmes, several nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard, sister Joan Bouters, brother James Youdell, and close friend Harriet Swartz. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, July 24th at St. Andrew's Community Church, 3631 Covington Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 with Pastor Jim Dyke officiating. A graveside service will be held following the funeral at 2:00 PM at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. Memorials in Barbara's honor may be directed to St. Andrew's Community Church or a charity of your choice. Please share memories and condolences at www.langelands.com