James Vanwestrienen

im passed away March 11, 2025 in Paw Paw, Michigan following a long battle with diabetes. He was born May 13, 1933, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the eldest son of Henry Artis and G. Leone (Kier) vanWestrienen.

He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He was a 9-year member of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony and a life member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. After graduation, he proudly served his country in the Army Security Agency. He married his college sweetheart, the former Donna Rudness of Escanaba, MI on December 29, 1956. They had an 18-month honeymoon while he served with the ASA in Europe.

Following an honorable discharge, he was employed in the public schools for more than 40 years in Mason County Eastern Schools, Mattawan Consolidated School and Paw Paw Public Schools, retiring in 1996. He was a charter member of the Kalamazoo Concert Band and played in the brass section for six years.

A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw since 1961, he was a Deacon, Elder, a Chancel Choir member, and for over 50 years, an organist, retiring in 2021. His special interests were his family, classical music, crossword puzzles, camping, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions.

His wife of over 43 years, Donna passed away in 2000. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Leone vanWestrienen; his brothers John and Paul; sister-in-law Barbara, cousins Mildred (Earl) Gaskill and Janice (Ron) Geschwendt; and infant nephew Tommy. He is survived by his daughter Kathy (Stephen) McCloskey, grandson Nathaniel; sister-in-law Jan vanWestrienen, a niece Jayne (Derek) Wirebaugh; a nephew Jim (DeNae) vanWestrienen; and grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family will receive visitors March 22, 2025, from 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church, 120 Pine St., Paw Paw and a celebration of life commencing at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Gail Monsma and Rev. Catharine McCloskey-Turner officiating. Private interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 120 Pine St., Paw Paw, MI 49079; Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, 714 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI 49007; or The American Diabetes Association.