Howard F. Slager

SLAGER, Howard F. Of Portage Went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at Kairos Dwelling. Howard was born November 26, 1932 in Comstock, the son of William and Tina Bogema Slager and has been a lifelong area resident. For 28 years he was employed in the fine chemical department with The Upjohn Company, for many years he owned and operated Slager Lawn Forcement Agency and following retirement delivered flowers for VanderSalm?s. Howard was a longtime active member of the Southridge Reformed Church, through the years serving as Deacon, Elder, Sunday School teacher, member of the choir and the Koinonia Group. He was also a member of the Singing Crusaders Male Chorus. Howard enjoyed woodworking creating projects for family, friends and church; and was a volunteer at Celery Flats Interpretive Center, where he was nominated for the STAR Awards and was named Volunteer of the Week. On April 10, 1953 he was united in marriage to the former Dorothy R. Kuiper who survives. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wilbur and James Slager. Surviving are four children, Cheryl Graff of Sacramento, CA, Julie Richard Grelewicz of Mt. Vernon, IN, Bill Jodi Slager of Kalamazoo and Paul Dawn Slager of Portage; nine grandchildren, Rachel and Alison Graff, Andrea Grelewicz, Caleb, Joshua and Taylor Slager and Jacob, Andrew and Lindsey Slager; a sister Ruth Wolthuis of Kalamazoo and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. A private family burial will be held Thursday morning in Portage Central Cemetery followed by a Service to Celebrate Howard?s life at 1:00pm Thursday at the Southridge Reformed Church 6726 Texas Drive. Memorials in Howard?s memory may be directed to the Southridge Reformed Church or Kairos Dwelling.