Janice Barbee

Janice Barbee died on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Upjohn Nursing Home in Kalamazoo. She was born on September 8, 1941, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo as one of 7 children of Lowell and Margaret Maxam and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. Janice learned the value of hard work at an early age and worked for many years at the Upjohn company as well as running the family fruit farm, Fergie’s, which was located in Oshtemo Twp. As a Mother, she instilled her work ethic in her two sons Michael and Marc and she demanded that the boys follow her loving but strict rules. Janice has seen many sights throughout America as when the boys were young the family would take 2-week vacations and later in life when she was married to Alvin Barbee they would travel and see so much of the country on a motorcycle. She also was an artist and enjoyed painting and drawing. For the last few years she has resided at the Upjohn Nursing Home

Members of her family include her son Michael and his wife Liz Ferguson; Grandchildren: Michael Justin Ferguson, Alex, Natalie and Zoe Pierce; a great-granddaughter Hannah Ferguson, 5 brothers and sisters: Lynne (Brad) Jager, Doug (Rose) Maxam, Lowell Maxam Jr, Karen Tarantino, Dean (Paulette) Maxam; 2 stepchildren: Jim Ferguson and Patsy Lambert. She was preceded in death by her son Marc, her brother David, and her husband Alvin Barbee. Cremation has taken place. Celebrate Janice’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.