Everett Buel

Everett Alan Buel, age 61, of Three Rivers, formerly of Kalamazoo, passed away at his home surrounded by his family and loved ones on Monday, May 27, 2024. He was born on September 4, 1962, the son of Eugene “Gene” Starr Buel and Virginia May (Beaver) Buel. Everett attended Kalamazoo Central High School and graduated with the class of 1981. As a student he enjoyed participating in multiple high school musical productions. He also participated in the choir at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. After high school, he attended and graduated from ITT Technical Institute of Grand Rapids, MI. He spent part of his professional life working in the Chicago Railroad switch yard, which fulfilled a passion from his childhood days and his love of trains. He also dabbled in web design for various companies and created commercials for the local radio station. His latest career position was as an over the road truck driver, which fulfilled a love of traveling and seeing new places.

Everett was a creative individual, and this showed up in his various hobbies and interests. In his youth he became interested in creating and designing model railroad scenes and landscapes. Later, as an adult, he participated in many Renaissance Fairs. He enjoyed costume design, with a focus on Renaissance era costumes for various fairs. His attention to, and love of elaborate details, was evident in the exquisite design and beadwork for these costumes. He was fascinated by technology and loved learning about, and playing with, the latest gadgets. His home was set up with the latest tech gadgets that only he could figure out how to work. He enjoyed being busy and never let the grass grow under his feet.

Everett was known to be a fun-loving, adventurous, kind-hearted, and generous person to his friends and family. He would help anyone when they needed help, in any way he was able. He was always up for adventure by traveling to out-of-the-way places, no matter the traffic or the challenges of getting there. He loved to laugh, found humor in many situations, and would have others around him laughing in no time.

Everett was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Buel, and grandparents. He is survived by his mother, Virginia, currently living in Oklahoma City, OK; brother Vernon (Cherish) Buel of Oklahoma City; nieces: Chloe, Olivia and Grace Buel of Oklahoma City; and great-nephew Beckham Boulware also of Oklahoma City. He was particularly close to his cousins, Michael, and Edward Slack, of Three Rivers, MI. Also surviving are many other cousins in the extended family as well as his dog Antoinette.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date to honor and remember Everett’s life and legacy for all who knew him. Please contact Edward Slack on Facebook Messenger if you have any stories to share or would like additional details.

Celebrate Everett’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. (269) 375-2900.