Winifred Lucile (Schreuder) Bachelder

Winifred (Winnie) Lucile Bachelder, died on July 16, 2019 at the age of 92 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

She was born in Comstock, Michigan on a celery farm to Samuel and Anna (Newmyer) Schreuder on August 21, 1926. She was the fourth of eight children. She worked at The Upjohn Company during World War II. After the war, she met her husband Richard Bachelder and they married on January 27, 1950. They were married for 37 years until his death on March 14, 1987.

Winnie raised four children in her family home where she lived for almost 60 years. In her later years, Winnie worked in the school cafeteria at Kalamazoo Central High School. She also worked at Phil Gernaat & Sons Greenhouses in the springtime.

Over the years, Winnie was an active member in Knollwood CRC, Westwood CRC, and spent her last 30 years at her childhood church, Grace CRC. She was deeply committed in her walk with the Lord through her devotions and active prayer life.

Throughout her life, Winnie was involved in numerous ministries and volunteer activities. She was active in Kids Life Bible Club, formerly Christian Service Club, for more than 40 years where she led a weekly Bible club with elementary students. Winnie also corresponded with and taught Bible lessons to inmates through Crossroads Prison Ministries, a national prison ministry for more than 25 years. She was a key lady and board member for Bible League International. As an 89-year-old, she also mentored a high school senior at her church. Over the years, Winnie was a regular blood donor at the Red Cross until she was no longer eligible to donate because of her age.

Winnie was passionate about gardening, bird watching, and watching over her neighborhood. She participated in a bowling league until the age of 91 and, in her early 90s, bowled a 200. She loved keeping up with grandchildren through phone calls and letter writing and lived her life vicariously through her children and grandchildren's many travels and adventures.

Winnie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May and addressed her impending death with grace, humor, confidence, and hope. In the two months since her diagnosis, she was able to spend her final days spending time with her family and friends.

Winnie was loved by many, including her neighbors of 60 years and lifelong friends. Winnie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Bachelder, and her siblings, Martin, Henry, Annette Kuilema, and Wilma Jones. She is survived by her siblings, Herman, Marian Meeker, and Grace Shipe; her children Tom, Jan (Don VandeVusse), Linda Bachelder (Van Holkeboer), and David (Laurie Brown); her grandchildren Stephanie, Jason, Joel, Zac, Craig, David, Caroline, Hannah, Christian, Annika; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 11 am at Grace CRC, 1724 Whites Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, with Reverend Greg Timmer officiating. Visitation will be held at the church before the service from 10-11 am. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Prison Ministries or Park Village Pines.