Betty M. Southon

Betty Marie Southon passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the age of 94. She was born April 25, 1929, in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Lester and Ruth (Helle) Clark. Betty was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School as well as Western Michigan University. While attending classes at Western, she worked in their administration department, helping fellow students drop and add courses, among other duties. Upon graduation, she worked for many years at KVP, the local paper company in Parchment.

Betty married Gene Witsaman in July of 1949 and together they had 3 children. Gene preceded her in death on May 1, 1969. After the birth of their children, Betty began working at Southon Paper Company. In August of 1978, she married James Southon and together they shared 35 years of marriage and a home on Gull Lake, while also maintaining her home in Parchment. At age 50, Betty and Jim sold Southon Paper Company and Betty began working her "retirement" job at Gull Lake Community Schools where she worked for 31 years in Administration until her second retirement at age 81. Betty always loved living in Parchment where she was well known for walking her beloved Irish Setters many miles every day, until her "Kelly II" passed away when she was 91. Being born and raised in a Christian home, Betty was a long-time member of Northeastern Baptist Church, where she met many friends with whom she shared her deep fellowship with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. She always enjoyed Bible study and conversation and made it a goal to read the Bible from start to finish every year until her vision began failing later in life. Back in the day, Betty enjoyed reading novels and golfing with friends. As she became less able to walk on her own, she enjoyed going to Biggby with friends, and especially enjoyed when someone would bring her a Biggby Mocha Mocha to her at home, in the hospital, or at Grace Valley where she was lovingly cared for during the last two days of her life. Betty is survived by her two daughters, Sharon Wehling and Susan (Chris) Rigan; four grandchildren, Michelle Brayton, Laura Wistrand, Kristen Wehling-Overmyer, and Katie Maklebust; one great-grandchild, Daniel Brayton; cousins Steve Helle and Todd Helle, along with nieces, nephews, and many, many friends who cared for her deeply. Betty was also preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia Harmon; and brother, Robert Clark.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 am at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 622 S Burdick St Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Friday, March 1, 2024, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, and then one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will take place at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Humane Society or Northeastern Baptist Church, in memory of Betty. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com