This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: DIRKSE, WALDO, SMALLEGANGE, MLECZEWSKI, RAFTER, ROELAND, STONEROCK Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22489/mb.ashx Message Board Post: DIRKSE, Florence "Torch" Of Portage Passed away Thursday March 6, 2008 at Bronson Hospital. Florence was born in Kalamazoo, December 24, 1920, the daughter of Mathew & Nellie (Waldo) Smallegange. On August 29, 1941, she married her husband of 66 years, Fred Dirkse, who survives. Florence was a member of the Oakwood Bible Church. She worked in the athletic department at WMU, and in 1986 retired after 20 years of service. Also surviving are two children, Debbie (Terry) Mleczewski of Portage, and Lorie (John) Rafter of California; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Henrietta Roeland of Kalamazoo, and Joan Stonerock of Kalamazoo; several nieces, nephews and friends. A visitation will take place Sunday afternoon from 2-4pm at the funeral home. A service to honor Florence's life will be held 12 o'clock Monday afternoon March 10, 2008, with a visitation beginning one hour prior, at Oakwood Bible Church, 4100 Oakland Dr., with Pastor Stephen Johnson officiating. Private interment in Mt. Ever-! Rest Memorial Park. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission (Samuel Stucky General Fund), P.O. Box 355, Springfield, IL 62705-0355. JOLDERSMA & KLEIN 917 S. Burdick 343-2628 Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 3/9/2008. (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.