Celia Yonkers

Celia Yonkers, age 93, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away August 29, 2017 in Plainwell, MI. Celia was born February 6, 1924, in Yorkshire, England, the daughter of John and Ethel (Langley) Stammers. She immigrated to the United States in 1947 and has been a Kalamazoo resident most of her life. Celia was a former Kalamazoo Gazette employee and for over 20 years was employed with the Western Michigan University School of Music. Family was a very important part of her life and she enjoyed spending special times with her family and friends. On October 2, 1954, she was united in marriage to Edward S. Yonkers, who preceded her in death on January 24, 2011. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother John Stammers. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Sharon Yonkers of Schoolcraft; grandchildren, Matt (Janet) Yonkers and Angie (Doug) Florinchi; great-grandchildren, Cole and Nathan; 6 step grandchildren and 18 step great-grandchildren; a sister Winnifred Burton and several nieces and nephews all of England. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00PM on Saturday, September 16th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, where a service to celebrate Celia's life will begin at 2:00 PM Saturday. Private interment will be held in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Celia's memory may be directed to Kalamazoo Humane Society or Hospice Care of SW Michigan.