Brian St. John

With what should have been numerous years in which to compose his life’s song, Brian St. John was taken from the loved ones he treasured. He was a man of great moral character and honorable behavior who believed in working hard in everything he did. With the love of his life by his side for many years, Brian fully embraced each and every day he was given. He was an outdoorsman through and through who loved everything from hunting and fishing to heading out for a pontoon ride on a beautiful evening. Brian had a contagious zest for life that provides us all with much to aspire for. A blessing to all who were within his reach, he made a positive impact in the lives of those too numerous to count.

The 1970s were a time of unprecedented events. This was the decade that witnessed the Watergate investigation, continued division about the Vietnam War during the first part of the decade, and ongoing advancements in both the civil rights movement and women’s rights, too. It seems only fitting that Brian Matthew made his arrival during this vibrant time as he was born on July 24, 1975. He was welcomed into the world by his parents, Garry and Karen (Barber) St. John, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Brian’s father was a truck driver while his mother worked as a bookkeeper at several glass sales companies. He was the middle of three children, joined in his family by his older brother, Aaron, and his adopted younger sister, Vanessa. They lived next door to his paternal grandparents, and Brian became very close to them as a result.

In many ways Brian experienced a typical upbringing. He was raised in the family home in Richland in a loving and nurturing environment. Brian began goose hunting when he was only three years old, and he was a natural. By the age of eight he had already mastered calling without a call! Brian did all things outdoors from a young age - and loved it. He was a student at local schools including Gull Lake High School where he played defensive line on the football team. Being a solid young man, Brian was not only a talented defensive end, but he also threw the shot put on the track team. While in high school he rode along to help his father with deliveries at times, learning the value of hard work. Brian went on to graduate from high school in 1994.

Not to be forgotten during his years in high school was Brian’s relationship with the young woman who stole his heart. Her name was Kelly Kievit, and she was a year behind him in school. Although they had known each other since middle school, it wasn’t until they were at a party during her senior year that they began dating. After dating for several years, Brian and Kelly were married on February 3, 2005, in Costa Rica. It was an event to remember as they were stuck in the airport for 11 hours during an ice storm. After exchanging their vows the newlyweds remained in Costa Rica for two weeks where they saw a rainforest and a volcano, and Brian did some fishing as well.

The couple initially settled in Richland until they built their current home on Gun Lake about one year later. Brian and Kelly shared their loved for the outdoors, which included lakeside living. They were both into boating, pontooning, and fishing. Brian also ice fished on the lake during the winter. Brian and Kelly enjoyed being together and experiencing several adventures, too. They took numerous memorable vacations including to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Brian was deeply devoted to his wife, and he was her biggest cheerleader at all her races. In fact, he more recently took up running so they could enjoy that together as well. Both Brian and Kelly loved entertaining at their home and had a huge group of lake and boating friends.

Brian made a career in sales, and he was always very dedicated to his work. He never missed a day, and he was a natural since he was such a people person. Brian had been currently been working in hardware sales in the building industry for Richelieu over the past year. It was easy to see that he loved this job in particular.

Throughout his life Brian enjoyed so many things. He always loved duck hunting in Allegan, even hunting right out the back door as a boy. As he got older Brian took hunting trips to Alaska where he hunted elk and larger deer. His dream was to one day go hunting in Africa. Brian was a dog lover who was very kind and gentle with his dogs including their Cocker Spaniel, Gaia, and their Black Lab, Gina. When relaxing at home he liked listening to music - everything from classic rock to the more current music, and he was also into comedy and action movies. Brian additionally did a lot of reading with some of his favorites being books by John Grisham and books on hunting in Africa. As his friends and family can attest, Brian liked to eat, and he often seemed to be eating candy and could never turn down a piece of peach pie. He was a grill master who also liked going out for all you can eat shrimp. Brian enjoyed relaxing with a good beer or a good vodka, particularly Grey Goose. From the time he was in high school he liked writing poetry.

The things that made Brian St. John such an extraordinary man are many. He was fun-loving and adventurous with a great sense of humor - a bit warped - but he could still make us laugh with the best of them. Brian wholeheartedly applied himself to whatever lay before him, and although he worked hard he also knew how to play just as hard. With unending devotion to his wife and a deep love for his family, Brian was a gift to his family in every way. Life will never be the same without him here, but the memories he leaves behind will be forever cherished.

Brian Matthew St. John died on June 3, 2013. Brian’s family includes his wife, Kelly Kievit; mother, Karen St. John; 2 siblings: Aaron Lee St. John (Jill Parsons-St. John) and Vanessa St. John; niece and nephew, Sylvia and Wilson St. John; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Brian was preceded in death by his father, Garry St. John; paternal grandparents, Clayton and Esther St. John; and maternal grandparents, George and Helen Barber. Cremation will take place. Services will be held Saturday 11:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Dr., 375-2900 followed by a luncheon in the Life Story Center. Please visit Brian’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign his memory book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to Ducks Unlimited.