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About Us
At the root of it, we're excellent, authentic, and innovative people who've defined what a Celebration of Life should be. You're in the right place.
Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared |
John Donovan not only ran the funeral home in downtown Kalamazoo, he looked like an undertaker: he was a stately man who always wore a top hat and a mourning coat.
The Donovan Funeral Home he operated was an 1870’s mansion with 12 foot ceilings, creaky floors, and a banister perfect for sliding down.
Like so many people, Roy Betzler was born into a family that didn’t have much except for each other. His parents rented out part of their home to make ends meet.
As a determined kid in Detroit, Roy didn’t mind getting his hands dirty...
His first job was delivering The Detroit Times, riding his bike all over the city and treating himself after his route to a White Castle burger.
But it wasn’t all work and no play. When his family had something to celebrate, his parents would “splurge” on a bottle of Mogen David to toast with.
It started a family tradition that would span generations and later make its way into the funeral home, a nod to their humble beginnings.
1975 rolled around, and Roy put all his eggs in one basket as they say, sold his house and cleared out his retirement to put every penny in his name into Donovan Funeral Home in Kalamazoo (now the Kalamazoo House Bed and Breakfast).
It wasn’t an easy move, but Roy had grit and he was the kind of guy who made things happen.
Money was tight, kitchen table bills ensued, and family road trips were a frugal affair. The kids ate PB&Js and slept on the floor to save a few bucks, but those trips were full of Midwest memories and now faded polaroids.
Fast forward to 1991, Roy’s son Scott joined the family business. Scott had his own battles to fight - he struggled with dyslexia all through school. A teacher once told him that college wouldn’t be for him, but Scott refused to let that define him...
He took the "non-traditional" route, staying late to take tests “out loud” and pushing through the difficulties...
One thing he didn’t have trouble with? People and dogs. He brought those passions with him to work, and before long, like his dad, he had a gift for connecting with everyone he met.
His golden retriever Hollie became the first therapy dog in the country.
But it didn’t stop there. Roy and Scott cast out their vision - they didn’t want to just sell caskets or put on one-size-fits-all services.
So, they became the first funeral home to join Life Story, a movement that reimagines how funerals should be: not about selling products, but about celebrating life.
And to make that vision a reality, they built the Life Story Center...
...creating a space that doesn’t look or feel like a funeral home at all.
Today, Betzler Life Story is a destination funeral home in Michigan, a place where people come not just for a funeral, but to share friends, food, drinks and stories.
The approach is different here. When you come to Betzlers, it's not just another funeral service, but a true Celebration of Life.
At the root of it, we're excellent, authentic, and innovative people who've defined what a Celebration of Life should be. You're in the right place.
"The attention to detail that made my brother's celebration of life so successful were because of the efforts of the staff... I highly recommend their services."
Owner & Life Story Funeral Director
Scott@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Scott once dreamed of becoming a professional golfer, but life had different plans for him. A true podcast enthusiast, he’s known for his daily 2 PM latte break. When he’s not sipping coffee, he loves teaching kids the joys of water skiing and ...Read on
Life Story Funeral Director
Joe@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Joe is a notorious early bird, and there's never a dull moment when he's around—he's full of stories and laughter. He takes great pride in his lawn and enjoys working on his yard, always striving to keep it looking its best. Joe is also known for ...Read on
Life Story Arranger
Patrick@BetzlerLifeStory.com
With a background as a Marine and a former banker, it's no wonder Patrick is our spreadsheet extraordinaire, thanks to his military perfectionism. He loves indulging in fine dining and he never passes up a chance to savor ...Read on
General Manager
Kristin@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Kristin, a former photographer, began her journey at the funeral home as a part-time secretary, later becoming Office Manager, Creative Director, and now serves as our General Manager. Her favorite days are spent on Lake Michigan playing ...Read on
Office Manager
Amy@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Amy has worn many hats throughout her career, from graphic designer to administrative assistant, but she truly shines as our warm and welcoming office manager. When she’s not managing the office, she’s out running, competing in ...Read on
Life Story Assistant & Life Tails Manager
Brett@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Brett isn’t one to sit still—he retired from banking and, within just a day, jumped into a new role alongside his step-brother Scott at the funeral home. As our Life Tails Manager and Life Story Assistant, when he’s not ...Read on
Life Story Assistants
It's hard to remember a time without our favorite mother and son dynamic duo. Judy’s our “office mom” and Luke is our cheerleader, always ready with a kind word and fist bump to boost office morale. Prior to the funeral home, Judy owned ...Read on
Life Story Apprentice
Myya@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Myya Krenk is passionate about drawing, reading, and staying active. Baking is another hobby she loves, and after graduating from Wayne State, she baked her famous peanut butter-stuffed chocolate chip cookies for all her teachers. A huge fan of ...Read on
Life Story Apprentice
Maya@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Maya Ringler is all about living life to the fullest. When she's not hanging out with her two cats, Baby Boods and Dice, she’s hitting the gym and either lifting weights or running. Maya is also a trivia whiz, always ready to take on any ...Read on
Life Story Apprentice
Kirsten@BetzlerLifeStory.com
Born in Kalamazoo and raised in Battle Creek, she’s been playing the flute since fourth grade and now enjoys piano and bass guitar. Kirsten is a fan of air shows, especially the Blue Angels, and has a lifelong love for Notre Dame football. In her free time, Kirsten ...Read on