Caleb Doonan

When reflecting on the overflowing life of Caleb Doonan, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family and friends. He was a shining example of bravery and perseverance as he faced every challenge that came his way with endless positivity. Nothing brought Caleb greater joy than spending time with his loved ones, no matter how simple the moments might be. His selfless heart allowed him to impact the lives of countless others. Forever loved, Caleb will be deeply missed by those who knew him best.

The 1990s were an exciting time to be living in the United States of America. Movie theaters were packed for the latest shows including Forest Gump, Apollo 13, and Toy Story. Microsoft released Windows 95, forever changing how we interact with computers. The very first text message, “Merry Christmas,” was sent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 4,000 for the first time in history, and went on to surpass 5,000 before the end of 1995. Perhaps most notably, Google was born, connecting people with information at their fingertips. It was during this influential time that Caleb made his entrance into the world. He was born on September 21, 1995, and immediately welcomed by his loving family with open arms.

Caleb was raised in the family home in the Mattawan area alongside his younger sister, Riley, as well as his brother, Grady. He was a wonderful helper to his parents and a fierce protector of his sister. He would often walk around the neighborhood towing his sister in the wagon. Caleb was a sweet, well-mannered boy. He loved to cook with his mom, but he could also find his way into some harmless mischief from time to time. Many of his best friends also lived in his neighborhood. They could frequently be found playing outside together. They would ride their bikes, play baseball and capture the flag, and ding-dong ditch other houses!

Throughout his childhood, Caleb played all kinds of sports. He ran track and played football for a season, but he soon found that basketball was his true calling at Mattawan High School. It came as a surprise to no one when Caleb was voted class clown. He had strong core values and was never afraid to stand up for the underdogs, but his sense of humor and quick wit reminded people not to take life too seriously.

Caleb pursued further education at Davenport University and earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. For some time, he took his skills to his work at 1st Source Bank downtown Kalamazoo, where he was known for his curly hair and his bow tie. Caleb continued to work in accounting while he studied to become a C.P.A. He loved spreadsheets and made them for every occasion. Caleb appreciated the organization spreadsheets provided and would often share them with others.

Exciting changes were in store for Caleb as he met the woman who would quickly become the love of his life. Her name was Lala, and the two first met through Caleb’s sister and a mutual friend. The two girls would often try to set the pair up on a date, texting photos of one to the other, generating excitement. After meeting a few times, Caleb finally asked Lala out. Even though she didn’t realize it was supposed to be a date at the time, she soon fell in love with his eyelashes, curly hair, and his contagious sense of humor. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they got engaged while hiking on the trails in Saugatuck. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Caleb and Lala were married on October 20, 2024. The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee provided the perfect backdrop for their special day.

Never one to sit still for long, Caleb pursued many hobbies to stay busy in his free time. He and Lala enjoyed camping, hiking, walking the trails, and they loved doing puzzles together. Lala could even get Caleb addicted to shows that he didn’t necessarily want to watch, like Love is Blind. Caleb had a passion for working out in the gym in their basement. His sweet tooth was famous, craving all the best flavors like Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers, Oreo cookies, and Amish chocolate milk from Wagoner’s.

Caleb loved people and brought joy to those around him. He would sneak into his grandmother’s house and be sitting there waiting to surprise her when she came in. Caleb had a heart of gold to go with his insatiable zest for life, which he showed to his siblings, including his sisters Kaleigh and Maya whom he found later in life. He had a smile that could light up a room, and a sense of humor that had no end. Caleb even announced his cancer diagnosis in a text that he ended with, “Go Lions!”, and even as his health declined, he was always the happy, upbeat Caleb that everyone knew and loved.

As family members and friends will wholeheartedly agree, Caleb Doonan truly lived each and every day to the very fullest. He was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and he was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. A devoted husband, son, and brother, Caleb was a friend to many and beloved by all who met him. His primary focus in life was building deep and genuine relationships with those around him. Though he will be dearly missed, Caleb leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Caleb Doonan of Mattawan, age 29, died on January 4, 2025. A Life Story Service will be held Friday, January 10, at 4 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900 with a reception to follow in the Life Story Center where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Caleb’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.