Doris Haynes

Doris June (Stephenson) Haynes passed away at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, MI on Sunday, February 16, a few months short of her 100th birthday. Doris was a lifetime resident of Kalamazoo and Portage, MI where she and her husband Bill raised their family.

Doris was born on June 18, 1925 in Kalamazoo to Irene B. (Courtney) and Harry F. Stephenson. She was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan College where she majored in art. It was at Western that she met William O. Haynes and they were married on August 27, 1948. They celebrated almost 55 years of marriage.

Doris and Bill raised their six children in a loving, caring, and family oriented home. They found happiness in life's simple pleasures and times spent with family. Doris loved to sing and listen to all kinds of music, gardening, and taking pictures with her camera. She played bridge and enjoyed games, especially Scrabble.

Doris was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church where she participated in the Searchers Sunday school class and the UMW group. She lived her life through her faith in God.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two great grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Stephenson, and children: Linda (Geoffrey) Clapp, Stephen Haynes, Sharon (Timothy) Merrill, Susan (Al) Smith, Mark Haynes, and Julie Mason, grandchildren: Megan (Jeff) Gorton, Errin (Todd) Corstange, Kelly (Matt) Cameron, Timothy Jr. (Ginny) Merrill, Christi (Greg) Horn, Brian (Kearstin) Merrill, Amanda (Matt) Brumm, Anna Smith, Sara Scott, Max Mason, Mitchell Mason, and Maria Mason, 20 great grandchildren, and special friend, Rev. Margaret E. Towner.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. Her cremated remains will be interred with her husband Bill at the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo columbarium. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.