Jennie May Cekander

CEKANDER, Jennie May
of Portage Passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011 in Portage. She was born August 12, 1922 in Three Rivers, MI, a daughter of Edwin D. and Georgina Gemberling Slack and lived in the Kalamazoo-Portage area for many years. Jennie was employed by the James River Paper Company for over 31 years, and served as a secretary for the Papermaker's Union, Local 1010. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Portage and was involved in many activities in the community. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard C. Cekander in June of 1994; a son, Doug Cekander; 4 brothers, Clayton, Edwin, Norman and Buddy; two brothers-in-law, Bob Pritchard and Bob Briggs. Jennie is survived by her sons, Howard L. Charlene Cekander of Portage and Norman D. Carol Cekander of Goshen, IN; a daughter-in-law, Karlene Cekander of Comstock; 10 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; three sisters, Kathryn Pritchard of TN, Lora Briggs of Three Rivers and Edna Shaver of WV; a brother, Dennis Slack of Three Rivers; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1:00 PM in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre St. with Pastor Chad Wells officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday today from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Borgess Hospice or the First Baptist Church of Portage.