20 Thursday, September 12, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Joan L.
Kuehl, 90, of
Battle Creek,
passed away
peacefully on
Wednesday
morning, Sept.
4, 2024. She
was born in
Battle Creek
on Sept. 8,
1933, the loving daughter of Harold
and Florence (Yaudes) Rome. Joan
graduated from Battle Creek Central
High School with the Class of 1951
and furthered her education at the
Moody Bible Institute in Chicago,
Ill., graduating in 1955.
Joan married Claus Donald “Don”
Kuehl in Battle Creek on Dec. 6,
- Don sadly preceded her in
death on April 1, 2010, after more
than 51 years together. She was
also preceded in death by her par-
ents and her daughter Kimberly
Kuehl Allen on Feb. 22, 2019.
Joan is survived by her daughters
Kris (Mark) McBride and Kathy
(Steve) Haver; her son-in-law Bill
Allen; her grandchildren, Billy Allen,
Michael (Elizabeth) Allen, Justin
(Julie) McBride, Jake (JoBeth)
McBride, Krystal (Jon) Garavalia
and Scott Haver; five great-grand-
children; and her sister, Beverly
Randle.
Joan was an active member of St.
Paul Lutheran Church and served
in so many ways over the years.
She loved to golf, but her great-
est joy was her family, especially
her grandchildren and spending
time at their cottage on Thornapple
Lake. Joan was always her grand-
children’s biggest cheerleader and
loved watching them participate in
any activities they were involved in.
A celebration of Joan’s life was
held Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at
Fort Custer National Cemetery, with
Pastor Larry Gorlitz officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may
be directed to St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital or the Humane
Society of South Central Michigan.
Arrangements by Farley Estes
Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed
Care, Battle Creek. Personal mes-
sages for the family and favorite
memories of Joan may be placed at
http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.Ronald Karl
Ernsberger,
57, of Battle
Creek, Mich.,
passed away
Tuesday, Sept.
3, 2024, at
Rose Arbor
Hospice. He
was born
March 16,
1967, the son of James Franklin
Ernsberger and Helga (Kurz)
Ernsberger.
Ron worked for the Hi-Lex
Corporation for a few years,
McClaine’s Towing Service LLC,
which he loved, for 20 years, and
then M&M Towing. Ron enjoyed
gambling, sports cars, and hanging
out with family and friends. He liked
to keep busy, working on cars and
collecting scrap metal.
Ron is survived by his siblings,
Petra Jones, Michelle (Jeffery)
Swafford, James Ernsberger Jr.;
bonus daughter Kilee Hyndman;
bonus grandchildren Mahki and
Hayden; best friends Jeff King,
Pattie McClaine; and many nieces,
nephews, grandnieces and grand-
nephews.
He was preceded in death by
his parents; special brother-in-law
Gary Jones; and best friend Mark
Hooper.
At this time, cremation has taken
place and a celebration of life ser-
vice will be announced at a later
date.
Arrangements entrusted to
the Baxter Funeral & Cremation
Service, 269-788-9800/www.baxter-
funeral.com.Christy
Lee (née
Reynolds)
Livingston,
70, of Battle
Creek, is now
in heaven,
continuing to
inspire and
watch over
her family and
friends.
It is with deep sadness that we
announce the passing of Christy
Lee Livingston, who left us peace-
fully on Sept. 5, 2024. Christy, a
beloved resident of Battle Creek,
Mich., was a beacon of warmth and
kindness to all who knew her.
Born with an unwavering spirit
and a heart full of compassion,
Christy dedicated her life to mak-
ing the world a brighter place. The
peace signs décor throughout her
home, on shirts, and on cards were
more than just for decoration but a
representation of her heart and the
peace she brought to this world.
Her gentle demeanor and selfless
nature touched countless lives,
whether through her tireless work
in the Lakeview School system at
Riverside Elementary, or her lov-
ing support of family and friends.
Christy was known for her infec-
tious smile, her generous spirit, and
her ability to find joy in the simple
moments of life.
Christy attended Lakeview
Schools in Battle Creek, Mich.
Christy continued her education
at Grand Valley State University
and worked the majority of her
professional career at Riverside
Elementary, where she helped stu-
dents as a reading para-educator.
While in high school at Lakeview
(class of ’72), Christy met Jim
Livingston (class of ’70). They
began dating while Christy finished
high school and were married in
Battle Creek in August 1974.
Christy was a devoted mother, a
cherished Mimi/Mima, an adored
daughter, a loyal friend and a faith-
ful “bunco babe.” Christy’s legacy is
one of love and positivity, inspiring
those around her to embrace life
with the same grace and enthu-siasm she exemplified. Christy
constantly volunteered her time for
numerous extracurricular activi-
ties, loved cheering at countless
athletic events for her children and
grandchildren, was always up for a
party or celebration (with a theme),
enjoyed ladies and grandkid shop-
ping trips, and adored pool time
and beach getaways with family and
friends. She was always there to
lend a helping hand. Her memory
will forever be etched in the hearts
of her family and friends, who will
miss her dearly, but are grateful for
the many precious moments they
shared.
Christy was preceded in death
by her parents, Jack and Bonnie
Reynolds, and stepmother Joann
Reynolds (née Riess).
Christy is survived by her loving
family, including her husband of 50
years, Jim Livingston; three sons,
Justin (Melissa) Livingston, Cody
(Katie) Livingston and Tanner (Alley)
Livingston; as well as six grand-
children whom she adored, Nolan,
Aiden, Drake, Georgia, Amelia and
Mia; and many amazing friends. Her
enduring spirit will continue to live
on in the hearts of all who had the
privilege of knowing her.
Cremation has taken place. The
family will welcome friends to Farley
Estes Dowdle Funeral (105 Capital
Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI 49015) on
Friday, Sept. 13, from 5-7 p.m. for
a memorial visitation and again on
Saturday, Sept. 14, at 1:30 p.m. for
funeral services. The service will be
live-streamed and may be viewed
at https://vimeo.com/event/4560352.
A graveside committal service will
follow at Memorial Park Cemetery
at 2435 W. Territorial Road, Battle
Creek, MI 49015.
In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that donations be made to
Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice)
in Christy’s name, reflecting her
commitment to giving back and
making a difference in the lives of
others. Rest in peace, dear Christy.
Your light will forever shine in our
hearts.
Personal messages for Christy’s
family or stories may be shared at
http://www.farleyestesdowdle.com.