16 Thursday, September 5, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Delbert
H. Beilfuss,
78, of Battle
Creek,
Michigan,
passed away
Saturday,
August 24,
2024, at
home. He was
born August
19, 1946, the son of Harvey and
Clara (Kunth) Beilfuss, in Reed
City, Michigan.
To honor Del’s request, cremation
has taken place and no services
will be held.
Arrangements entrusted to Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service; 269-
788-9800/www.baxterfuneral.com.
WMU
Professor
Emeritus
David S.
DeShon died
after a brief ill-
ness in Battle
Creek, MI.
Halfway to
his 90th birth-
day, David
was looking forward to continuing
his research and writings in the
humanities. His most recent efforts
involved synthesizing the writings of
French philosopher Gilles DeLeuze
with a philosophical interpretation
of the Menger sponge, vis-a-vis,
that the surface of existence is all
we experience/all that is and the
depth of existence is unknown and
truly unknowable. We use the tricks
we’ve been taught -- fables, theories
and traditions -- to fabricate under-
standing.
David was born in Kansas City,
MO in 1935. Before moving to
Smithville, MO in 1943, David livedin an ethnically diverse neighbor-
hood in Kansas City, MO, where
his mother’s family operated a six-
chair beauty salon. Many of her
customers spoke foreign languages
and plenty of days conversations
were had with languages “flying
everywhere.” As a little boy, David’s
mother sent him by bus to attend
art classes at the Nelson-Atkinson
Museum of Art.
In 1957, David married Jo
(Hartnett) DeShon and embarked
on a 62-year loving marriage to the
“smartest woman I ever met.” In
1964, David, Jo and their daughter
Leslie moved to Kalamazoo and
braved their first of many Michigan
winters. In 1965, their family was
complete when Amy was born.
David learned to ski and taught his
daughters. He learned to cook and
could make a wickedly good break-
fast. Inspired by that early art edu-
cation, David could design like an
architect, execute like a craftsman,
and appreciated the beauty that sur-
rounds us through photography.David obtained his Ph.D. from the
University of Missouri and spent
his entire life in pursuit of aware-
ness. David cultivated friendships
with people of diverse interests. He
enjoyed lively and thoughtful con-
servations on a variety of subjects.
David was preceded in death
by his wife, Jo C. DeShon, née
Hartnett; his mother and father,
Lucretia and Earl DeShon; and his
brother, James DeShon.
He leaves behind his daughters,
Leslie (James Knapp) and Amy
(Greg Robertson).
In lieu of flowers, the family
requests contributions be made in
his wife’s name, Jo C. DeShon, to
the ACLU (American Civil Liberties
Union) at action.aclu.org or by call-
ing 1-888-567-ACLU.
Arrangements by Farley Estes
Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation
Care, Battle Creek. Personal mes-
sages for the family may be placed
at http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.BATTLE
CREEK
LaJean
Marie Hewitt
passed away
peacefully on
August 29,
2024, at the
age of 89.
She was born
September
18, 1934,
in Pennfield
Township, the
daughter of Daniel George and
Mary Jane (Young) VanVleet. She
married David Duwayne Hewitt on
August 8, 1952, in Battle Creek, MI.
Throughout her life, LaJean was
known for her loving nature, unwav-
ering faith, and thoughtful spirit.
Her warmth and kindness touched
the lives of many, and her influence
extended far beyond the boundar-
ies of her immediate family. LaJean
was an avid reader, enjoyed watch-ing her TV shows, and found joy in
the companionship of her beloved
dog, Sea Sea. In her younger years,
LaJean reveled in the adventures of
camping and traveling up North.
She was a member of Pennfield
Presbyterian Church. Her thoughtful
nature ensured that she was always
there for those in need. We take sol-
ace in the knowledge that LaJean’s
story does not end with her passing,
for she has left an indelible mark on
the hearts of her family and friends.
Her legacy of love and kindness is
a treasure that will be passed down
through generations, a reminder of
the remarkable woman she was.
She is survived by her children,
Deborah (Dennis) Trayer, Judith
(David) Lafler and Jill (David)
LeBoeuf; 16 grandchildren; 48 great-
grandchildren; 19 great-great-grand-
children; siblings Darrell (Marsha)
VanVleet, Barb (George) Snyder,Jackie (John) Malinowski and Pam
(John) Jozwiak; sister-in-law Janet
VanVleet; and many nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in death
by her parents; husband David
Hewitt; daughter Becky Mesecar;
and siblings Dewayne VanVleet,
Philip (Marilyn) VanVleet and Terry
VanVleet.
Visitation was held at Bachman
Hebble Funeral Service on
Wednesday, September 4, 2024,
from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will
be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at
Bachman Hebble Funeral Service.
Burial will be at Hicks Cemetery in
Pennfield Twp., MI.
Memorial tributes may be made to
Pennfield Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements by Bachman
Hebble Funeral Service. (269) 965-
5145/www.bachmanhebble.comBATTLE
Obituaries CREEK
It is in great sadness that we
announce the passing of Melissa
Schira-Hacker on Saturday, August
24, 2024, who went peacefully to
the Lord that day.
She is survived by her loving hus-
band, daughter and family.
Melissa was born April 6, 1977, in
Battle Creek, Michigan, the daugh-
ter of Scot G. Schira and the late
Virgie (Brian) Lake.
She was blessed with a lov-
ing husband of 24 years, Russell
Hacker; a beautiful 31-year-old
daughter, Brittney L. (Justin) Schira;
loving siblings Scott (Jennifer)
Schira, Michele (Edward) Grissom,
Kevin (Amy) Schira, Kieran Ellis;
bonus loving and blessed parents
Charles (Becky) Hacker; brothers-
in-law Charles (Tracey) Hacker,
John (Mandy) Hacker; fur babies
Eli Matthew, Romeo Henry; and
grand-babies Mitzie Mae, Tucker,
Artimis and Loki.
A private family celebration will
take place at a later date.
Always remember to keep the
faith and never give up!
Arrangements entrusted to
the Baxter Funeral & Cremation
Service, 269-788-9800. http://www.bax-
terfuneral.com