Zelpha I. Love

LOVE, Mrs. Zelpha I.
Bloomingdale, MI Died Monday afternoon June 14, 2010. Zelpha, "Love" as many called her, was born May 1, 1939 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was the daughter of Carl and Muriel Stafford Haywood. Her family settled in the Kalamazoo area in the mid 1800's and she had been a Kalamazoo area resident for many years prior to residing in Bloomingdale. She had a passion for the theater from a young age and volunteered at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre acting as well as designing costumes. She was a truly gifted seamstress who used her creative talent to bring joy into the lives of many. She loved adventure, the outdoors, traveling and was a dreamer full of fantastic ideas of all the things she could and would do. A strong and determined soul that could accomplish the impossible once she set her mind to it. As a young woman, she was employed at the UpJohn Company and spent her later years as a Mail Handler and Union Steward with the U.S. Postal Service before retiring. She touched the lives of many and left her mark upon each of our lives and an everlasting impression upon our hearts. A loving mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend; she will be missed dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Carlton L. and Dale J. Haywood; and a grandchild, Julian T. Loher. She is survived by 3 children, Austin J. Nanae Saito Love II of Japan, Charles E. Love of Bloomingdale, and Diedre D. Love of Kalamazoo; 8 grandchildren, Austin, Victoria, Johnathon, Imalia, Ai, Rhu, Alyssa, and Joshuah; a brother, Robert E. Helen Pratt, Jr. of Kalamazoo; a sister, Cheryl K. Jones of Kalamazoo; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may meet the family 2-4pm Saturday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. Private burial will take place in Almena Township Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Michigan Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. www.langelands.com . 343-1508.