This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: AJP44 Surnames: SMIT,VALENTINE, HOUTKOOPER, MILLER, TRAXLER, MODDERMAN Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22287/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Mrs. Marie SMIT - Portage, MI, Died Tuesday evening, December 2, 1997. Marie was born September 12, 1920 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Jennie (VALENTINE) HOUTKOOPER, and was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident. She was a member of the Lakeland Reformed Church. Preceding her in death were her husband, August SMIT in 1983; a sister, Ann MILLER; and 2 brothers, Al and John HOUTKOOPER. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Jerry TRAXLER of Mattawan; 2 granddaughters, Cherie and Jenny TRAXLER, both of Mattawan; 2 sisters and 1 brother, Gertrude GRUBE, Minnie MODDERMAN, and Orrin HOUTKOOPER, all of Portage; many nieces and nephews. Services will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. with Rev. Mr. Ed Martin officiating. Interment will follow in South Portage Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Portage Chapel today from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Lakelan! d Reformed Church, or the American Cancer Society. source: Kalamazoo Gazette Dec 1997 (submitted 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.