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Richard Ellstrom

September 26, 1929 - January 21, 2018
Kalamazoo, MI

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Richard, 88, of Kalamazoo, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, January 21st. He was born September 26, 1929, to Alice and Herbert Ellstrom of Moline, IL. Richard married Janet Marie Diffenbaugh on April 10, 1952. He earned a Purple Heart while serving with the Fifth Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War. He was a Life Member of VFW Red Arrow Post 1527, Kalamazoo, MI, a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans, Buck Crosby, Chapter 6 of Kalamazoo, MI, and a Life Member of the Military Order of Purple Heart. He remained a member of the Occidental Masonic Lodge No. 40 of Ottawa, IL since 1966. Richard served as past Commander of the Kalamazoo County Water & Safety Recovery Association. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kalamazoo, MI. Richard retired from Havirco, Inc. working as a personal/facilities handyman taking great pride in his woodworking. He lived his life serving his family, friends and employers with the same loyalty and commitment he served our country. He was preceded in death by his wife Janet, his parents and sister Sharon Bernard. Survivors include son Jon (Cindi) Ellstrom , East Moline, IL, daughter LuAnn Ellstrom Woodhouse, Kalamazoo, MI, son Richard Ray (Carly) Ellstrom, Portage, MI; four grandchildren, Jared (Amy) Woodhouse, Rochester, NY, Taylor Rae Ellstrom, Kalamazoo, MI, Tera (Josh) Bender, East Moline, IL, Erica (Ben) Hoskins, East Moline, IL; six great grandchildren, Brenna, Nolan and Evan Hoskins and Nora, Allison and Olivia Bender. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI, with a luncheon to follow. Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of S.W. Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI, c/o the funeral home. Family and friends may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.