This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: FINKBEINER, BRIDEGAM, RAPP, SECOR, KEMPER, SUTHERLAND, LESTER Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/WGB.2ACI/1677 Message Board Post: FINKBEINER, Mr. Walter D. Kalamazoo, MI Formerly of Whitehall, MI Died Monday morning, May 31, 2004. Walter was born July 27, 1921 in Caledonia, Michigan a son of Henry and Anna (Bridegam) Finkbeiner. During WW II, he served with the U.S. Navy as a flight instructor. He had been a Kalamazoo area resident since 1998, coming from Whitehall, MI. He was employed as Deputy Superintendent with the Muskegon Intermediate School District for 15 years, retiring in 1985. He began his career with Whitehall School District, as a shop teacher and baseball coach. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church; Michigan Association of School Administrators; and the Michigan Association of School Business Officials. He loved golf, baseball, and dedicated his life to his passion for educating young people. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Betty I. Finkbeiner on January 19, 2003. He is survived by 3 children, Bruce Finkbeiner of Arizona, Nancy (Doug) Rapp of Arizona, and Jane (Mike) Secor-Kemper of Plainwell; 6 grandchildren, Va! nessa Sutherland, Nick Finkbeiner, Lincoln and Grant Finkbeiner, and Timothy and Matthew Kemper; a brother, Jim (Lois) Finkbeiner of California; a sister, Dorrine Lester of Byron Center, MI; 2 nephews, David and Jerry Lester; and several cousins. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A Memorial Service will be held 11 o'clock Saturday at the Clock Funeral Homes, Whitehall Chapel, 413 S. Mears St. with the Rev. Michael R. Kemper officiating. Private inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Foster Children Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be sent to the Lutheran Church of The Savior, Kalamazoo or the Central United Methodist Church, Muskegon. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 6/2/2004. (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)