Elda Marie (Gildea) Bigelow

Elda M. Bigelow was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully February 7, 2022, at the age of 95, surrounded by her family. She was born December 10, 1926, in Kalamazoo, MI daughter of Clare and Ruth (Hiendel) Gildea and had been a lifelong Portage resident.

Elda and family spent many years summering at Gun Lake. Upon retirement from The Upjohn Company in 1986, they started traveling to Arizona where they stayed during the winter months.

In 1954, Elda was united in marriage to Wesley Bigelow who preceded her in death in 2019. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce Swartz; twin sister, Elva Gage; and many other family members and friends. Elda is survived by her brother, Clare Gildea (she referred to him as Frederick); son, Dee (Luann) Bigelow; daughter, Dawn Fluty; grandchildren, Justin Fluty, Kyle (Jackie) Bigelow, Chelsea (Brendan) Boyle, Janson (Lindsay) Fluty, and Janelle (Dan) McLeod; five great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews; and special companion, Nala, her dog.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 Saturday morning, February 12, 2022, in the chapel of Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, South. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Centrica Care Navigators (Formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan). Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick St, Kalamazoo MI 49007. To view Elda's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com