Joe Donovan

Joseph Donovan of Kalamazoo, age 73, died on May 9, 2025 surrounded by his family. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Kathryn (Koenigshof) Donovan; siblings: Tom, Ethel, and Teresa Donovan; and father-in-law: Charles “Bill” Marlett. He is survived by his wife: Michelle; children: Erin (Randy) Donovan, Sam Donovan, Mike (Erin) Donovan, and Max (Lauren) Donovan; grandchildren: Cole and Austin Schaendorf, and Violet and Elyse Donovan; siblings: Deanie Moerdyk, Ellen (Luanne) Donovan, Peggy (Pete) Meier, and Bill (Tracy) Donovan; mother-in-law: Carol Bates Marlett; sister- and brothers-in-law, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

On December 22, 1951, Bernard “Red” and Kathryn “Katie” Donovan welcomed Joseph Lawrence Donovan into this world. Joe’s childhood began at Duck Lake in Gobles. When Joe was 2 ½, the family moved to Kalamazoo. Joe grew up in the Milwood neighborhood on Lakeway Avenue and spent summers at the family cottage at Silver Lake in Grand Junction. Joe was raised in a tightly knit Catholic family and his many cousins were all more like siblings to him. He attended St. Joseph Elementary, Milwood Jr. High, and graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1970.

Following high school, Joe pursued a career in welding, a skill passed on to him by his father. Joe worked at Checker Motors until 1979, when he left to join the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 357 in Kalamazoo. By the end of his career, he had earned his certification to be a welding inspector, an accomplishment he was very proud of.

In August 1976, Joe married Mary Rehe and together the two welcomed their daughter Erin Elizabeth. Although their marriage would end in divorce, Joe was always grateful to have the daughter he adored. Later on, he was fortunate to once again find love with Michelle Marlett. They had their first date in May of 1981. The two continued to be best friends and the love of each other’s lives for the next 44 years, in sickness and in health, only parting with his passing. Joe and Michelle married September 9,1985. They had 3 sons and eventually 2 devoted daughters-in-law who he loved dearly: Sam, Mike (Erin), and Max (Lauren).

Joe was an avid outdoorsman and hunter, particularly of geese and deer. Any given fall morning you could find him at the Todd Farm in Fennville. He was part of a group who established a Ducks Unlimited Chapter in Van Buren County.

Joe was a Boy Scout in his youth as a member of Troop 59. When it came time for his sons to enter scouting, Joe discovered there was no Boy Scout troop in their town for his boys to join, so he and a group of people from the community restarted the Boy Scout Troop 171. He loved nurturing all the boys, building a strong troop to be in place when his sons eventually grew old enough to transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He remained the Scoutmaster until they left Van Buren County and returned to Kalamazoo in 2000. He later became the Scoutmaster for the boys’ Kalamazoo troop, Troop 292.

Joe wasn’t satisfied with just helping his Scouts to gain the skills they would need for leadership as adults, so he became very active in Boy Scouts at the council level. He led many adult leadership courses training the adults on how to be the leaders the boys needed. His council time culminated with being the scoutmaster of Woodbadge course C-15-07 “Leaving a Legacy.” Joe also received the Award of Merit and Silver Beaver during his time in Scouting.

Joe was an avid history buff. Most family vacations centered on visiting battle fields and forts. He also loved music- everything from Hank Williams to Shinedown. He and Michelle went to many concerts over their time together. He was a prolific reader, enjoyed playing euchre and cribbage, and watching history documentaries. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He was happiest when spending his time with those he loved.

Joe and Michelle had a house that was a welcoming, loving place to all the friends as the boys grew up, occasionally filling a void for a teenager in need of a parent, a meal, or place to stay. Along that journey they gained a daughter of their heart, Cassie (Trent) Rideout, who came needing Joe and Michelle and has remained a member of the family through all these years.

Later in life, he was thrilled to become a grandfather to Cole and Austin Schaendorf and Violet and Elyse Donovan, with another arriving in November. Joe considered himself blessed to watch his family grow to include so many loved ones.

As family and friends will certainly agree, Joseph Donovan never lost sight of what truly mattered through all the ups and downs of life. It is overwhelmingly clear that he made the most of every moment he had and lived life to the very fullest. He was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. His solid work ethic formed the foundation of all that he did. He was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others, and if he saw a need in his community, he did what he could to fill it. A dedicated family man, Joe made sure to hold his loved ones close. His insatiable zest for life could be felt by everyone around him. Although he is gone far too soon, Joe leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones can be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

And as Joe would always say as he left you, “Glad you got to see me!”

A celebration of life will take place on July 12, 2025 at Weatherstone Village Community, 5210 Marsh Arbor Trail, Kalamazoo, MI 49004 from 2:00-7:00 pm with a tribute to him at 4:00 pm.

Celebrate Joe’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Ducks Unlimited or the West Michigan Cancer Center. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.