This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: VANBLARICOM, KIRK, JENSEN, GREGG, COLON, KAPERAK Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/25957/mb.ashx Message Board Post: VAN BLARICOM, Nan Age 69 Of Kalamazoo Nan passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. She was born September 12, 1940 in Columbus, OH, the daughter of Robert and Janice (Kirk) van Blaricom. Nan attended Miami University (Ohio) and received a Bachelor's Degree from Western Michigan University. Like her mother, she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She received her Minister in Religious Education degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. As a member of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, Nan used her ministry background to help create the Stephen Ministry program. She served as coordinator of Stephen Ministry for many years. In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to the bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, and others facing a crisis or life challenge. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. She loved to spend time with family and friends and travel as her health permitted. For 20 years, she had been the primary companion and caregiver to her mother, Janice. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she remained a lifelong fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and enjoyed watching the teams on TV when she could no longer attend games in person. Surviving are her mother, Janice van Blaricom; one sister, Tina (Richard) Jensen; two brothers, Dan (Beverly) and Kirk (Judy) van Blaricom; three nieces, Jana (John) Gregg, Clare (Robert) Colón, and Annie Kaperak; and four nephews, Jay Jensen, Wes (Cathy) van Blaricom, Tom van Blaricom, and Luke van Blaricom, and six grand-nieces and nephews, Madeline, Andrew, Tacy and Ethan Colón; Maren Gregg; and Danny Kaperak. The family is grateful for Dr. Douglas Vernon and Rev. Sandy Elfring! and the staff of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, the many caring doctors and nurses of Bronson Methodist Hospital, and Nan's dear friends, including Mrs. Sue Paul. Funeral services for Nan will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park Street, with Rev. Dr. Douglas Vernon and Rev. Sandra Elfring officiating, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest North Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church; Myasthenia Gravis Association of Michigan; and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign Nan's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family. Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on March 25, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.