Yvonne Selkirk

With deep love and sadness, we announce the passing of Yvonne Jean Pio Selkirk at the age of 89. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, she will be dearly missed.

Born on July 19, 1935, in Peoria, Illinois, to Frank William Pio and Mary Ann (Scherer) Pio, Yvonne was one of four children and grew up alongside six half-siblings. She graduated from the Academy of Our Lady Catholic High School in 1953.

On July 14, 1956, she married Gordon Dale Selkirk, a fellow Peoria native who was introduced to her by her sister, Pat. The couple began their life together in Alexandria, Virginia, where Gordon was stationed in the military. Their son, Gordon Bradley, was born in Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter, the family returned to Peoria, where daughter Christine Ann was born, followed by son Reed Patrick.

In 1968, a job transfer took the family to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they found a welcoming community on Northpoint Street and formed lifelong friendships. Another corporate move in July 1978 brought them to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Yvonne flourished once again. She became active in the Kalamazoo Area Newcomers Club, the Log Cabin Quilters, and, most dearly, her bridge and duplicate card-playing groups. Her monthly "birthday breakfast" gatherings with these cherished friends were a highlight of her life—a tradition she maintained for decades.

As the years passed, Yvonne and Gordon welcomed eight grandchildren into their family, delighting in their Little League games, band concerts, school events, and summers spent making memories at the family’s lake house in Colon, Michigan.

A woman of deep faith, Yvonne was an active member of St. Thomas More Student Parish at Western Michigan University, where she was passionate about supporting the youth of the congregation.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gordon, her son Gordon Bradley, and her brother John “Jack” Pio, along with half-siblings Marguerite, Wayne, Elizabeth, Raymond “Bud,” Charles, and Robert. She is survived by her sister Pat (Nancy Oatley) Myers of Watton, MI, sister Judy Hill of Centralia, IL, daughter Christine (Bruce) Schoenberger of Oshkosh, WI, and son Reed (Pam) Selkirk of Kalamazoo, MI. She leaves behind grandsons Wade (Vicki) Selkirk of Holland, MI, Elliot (Veronica) Selkirk of Edinburgh, UK, Ian (Paige) Hable of Appleton, WI, Cameron (Kayla) Selkirk of Mattawan, MI, and Gabriel Selkirk of Vicksburg, MI, as well as granddaughters Madison Selkirk of Mattawan, MI, Dr. Lainey (Jay Warren) Selkirk of Denver, CO, and Olivia Selkirk of Reading, UK, along with nine great-grandchildren.

In honoring Von’s request, no funeral service will be held. She will be interred alongside her loved ones at Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, Illinois.

Memorial contributions in Yvonne’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.