Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-life-panel.jpg

Johnathan Kesteris

February 18, 1999 - May 26, 2023
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-01.jpg



Arrival and Reception

Friday, June 23, 2023
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Rd
Presque Isle, MI 49777
(989) 272-2672

For full details of the events or to RSVP, please click the website link.

Map
Web Site

Compline Around the Campfire

Friday, June 23, 2023
8:00 PM EDT
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Rd
Presque Isle, MI 49777
(989) 272-2672

For full details of the events or to RSVP, please click the website link.

Map
Web Site

Celebration of Life

Saturday, June 24, 2023
3:00 PM EDT
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Rd
Presque Isle, MI 49777
(989) 272-2672

For full details of the events or to RSVP, please click the website link.

Map
Web Site

Campfire Stories

Saturday, June 24, 2023
8:00 PM EDT
Camp Chickagami
6952 Kauffman Rd
Presque Isle, MI 49777
(989) 272-2672

For full details of the events or to RSVP, please click the website link.

Map
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Camp Chickagami c/o The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan
124 N. Fayette St.
Saginaw, MI 48602
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

So much could be said about a person like Johnathan Kesteris who always warmed the hearts of those he came into contact with. He lived his life with great joy found from deep within. John fell in love with his role as a camp counselor at Camp Chickagami, a special role and place that brought him a deep sense of comfort and belonging. A generous person who sincerely loved all people, he leaves behind a rich collection of special memories that will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

The year 1999 continued with the launch of many technological advances. Space Shuttle Discovery became the first vessel to dock with the International Space Station, Blackberry cellular phones were introduced, and The Matrix broke box office records with its innovative visual effects. During the midst of this exciting time, Johnathan arrived on February 18th in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to John and Denise (Brant) Kesteris. His birth brought great joy and happiness to his loving family.

Growing up, Johnathan lived a very active childhood. He played countless hours of T-Ball, baseball, and football. He also spent a significant amount of time on the water; boating, swimming, and tubing. As soon as he was able, John completed his boater safety course so he could captain the dinghy when the family bought a boat in South Haven. He loved being on the open water. Whether the water was liquid or frozen, he never missed an opportunity to explore. As a matter of fact, each snow day from school, his dad would take him and his friends out to breakfast and then spend the day snowmobiling. John loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting deer and turkey with his dad. They also enjoyed target shooting and fishing. Sometimes he would carry a bucket and poles to the pier with his friends. As a family, they took several vacations to Silver Lake to ride their jeep on the dunes. He and his dad often returned just the two of them to tent camp at the state park. The family also visited Disney World, but much of their memories together were spent boating. Johnathan often had more friends than room on the boat and slept wherever they could find space and shared frozen waffles for breakfast. These memories were treasures that bonded their family over the years.

As a teen, John was never afraid to try new sports. He lettered in both discus and shotput at Otsego High School. In addition to his time training, he and his friends also loved to dinghy to the dunes of Van Buren State Park, climbing them for hours. Always a jokester, he was well-liked by his classmates and voted class clown! Drawn to both history and law, after high school, Johnathan pursued his education at Western Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science: Public Law. His work at Data Guardian helped him pay the bills during school, but his favorite and true calling was as a camp counselor at Camp Chickagami.

For the past eight summers, John looked forward to his time at camp. He blessed the campers with his love of adventure and the inner peace he found spending time in nature. His easygoing personality made everyone feel relaxed in his presence. He quickly connected with the kids, even those that came from urban cities and had never experienced that level of nature. John especially loved teaching the kids archery at camp. He had plenty of practice from his bow hunting years and even used his grandpa’s bow while he taught. He also enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. If he and his campers were not in the water, they were always around the campfire. He loved these moments from the time the sun rose each morning until they told stories and put on plays before closing their days under the stars. John was a natural with kids and never took a single day with them for granted. His impact was endless as each life he touched rippled back into the community.

John’s vibrant personality will be the greatest gift he leaves behind. He was the life of the party. Johnathan loved sharing his camp songs and games back at home with his family. At Christmas, they enjoyed playing Minute to Win It games or a favorite was unwrapping boxes packed within more boxes while wearing potholders to keep the excitement building! There was always a good time whenever they were all gathered together. Johnathan enjoyed time with this family and getting into rich conversations on a wide variety of topics. An independent thinker, he loved to share his viewpoints especially when it came to politics. An avid reader, he surrounded himself with books. Many times he bought his collection of books from Goodwill or the Salvation Army before purchasing them from bookstores. His infectious laughter, as well as his sparkling smile, could light up any room. He was always happiest when he was at camp or surrounded by the family he so loved. Gone too soon, Johnathan will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many special friends and family. May they always reflect on his life as one filled with optimism and happiness for the joy he shared with each and every one of them.

Johnathan Kesteris, age 24, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, died on May 26, 2023. He is survived by his parents, John and Denise Kesteris, along with his grandparents: Ellen Kesteris, and Susan and Robert Zokoe, He is also survived by his Uncle Bob Brant, Aunt Anita, Uncle Matt Perkins, and cousins Alex and Abbi Perkins. He was preceded in death by his grandpas, John Kesteris and Dennis Brant.

Join us for a weekend of sharing John’s Life Story at Camp Chickagami, 6952 Kauffman Rd., Presque Isle, MI 49777. Accommodations and food are provided. Arrival reception on Friday, June 23, from 6-7 PM with compline around the campfire at 8 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 24 at 3 PM, with more campfire stories at 8 PM. For additional details and to RSVP, please click here.

Visit John’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories and photos, and to sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Chickagami. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/view-life-story-video.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/01d/143542/143542-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg