Paul Stephen Carpenter

CARPENTER, Paul Stephen
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Paul Stephen Steve Carpenter, age 65, went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 20, 2012, after a short struggle with esophageal cancer. Steve, the son of Raymond and Geraldine Baer Carpenter, was born in Jackson, Ml. Steve's family moved frequently when he was a child, moving with his father's work as a minister. He graduated from Portage High School in 1965. Steve entered the Air Force in 1966, and was honorably discharged after tours of duty in Vietnam, Japan, and Hawaii. On September 28, 1985 he married Ellen Newton. He retired in June of 2012 after working at the United States Postal Service for 27 years. He was an avid sports fan, frequently attending K-Wings games, and Parchment School sporting events where he watched his children participate. Steve is survived by his wife, Ellen Newton Carpenter, one daughter, Aimee Mercedes Small Carpenter, and a son, Andrew Kristina Sablatzky Carpenter, all of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Ellen Cy Young of Irvine, California, David Carpenter of Tucson, Arizona, Martha Doug VanAken of Oklahoma, and Wesley Mary Carpenter, of Portage. He is also survived by his Mother-in-Law, Corrine Newton Anderson, of Plainwell, Brothers-in-Law Bruce Newton, of Dowling, and Dean Newton, of Plainwell, many nieces and nephews, and his "close as a daughter", Nicole Newton, of Plainwell. Steve was also survived by his loving, faithful dog, Riley. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and infant brothers Raymond and Ronald Carpenter. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 1:00 PM in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. A visitation will begin at 12:00 Noon until service time. Burial will take place on Monday at 1:00 PM at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the West Michigan Cancer Center, the Kalamazoo Humane Society or Ft. Custer National Cemetery.