Beverly J. Kane

Beverly Jeannette Kane died on May 11, 2017 in Charlotte, MI, one day shy of her 85th birthday. Beverly is survived by her four children, Gary Kane of Charlotte, MI, Kathleen (William) Tully of Randle, WA, Karen (Paul) Wilson of Charlotte, MI, and James (Lilia) Kane of Kaneohe, HI, as well as a sister, Laura Hawley of Howard City, MI. Her husband of 47 years, Charles Robert Kane of Charlotte, MI, preceded her in death in 1997. Also preceding Bev were her parents, Loyd and Lena Babcock of Blanchard, MI, and a sister, Dora Klaiss of Eaton Rapids, MI. Beverly was born on May 12, 1932 in Blanchard, MI to parents Loyd and Lena Babcock on her sister Dora’s 7th birthday. She started school at the age of 4, graduating from Rolland Township Rural Agricultural School on May 18, 1949. Bev and Charlie married on Jan. 1, 1950 and began having a family the following year. Throughout Bev’s life she and Charlie enjoyed travelling in their RV, spending time at “the lake” with friends, snowmobiling, playing cards, and bowling. Bev’s creativity was fulfilled through a variety of hobbies including sewing, knitting, ceramics, scrapbooking, and more recently card-making. Friends and family enjoyed receiving the numerous birthday and anniversary cards that Bev created and sent out each month. As if that wasn’t enough, Bev also enjoyed singing and playing the piano in her early years and then learned to play the organ as an adult, entertaining all who came to visit. Bev began her job career at age 14 by waitressing at her family’s restaurant in Blanchard, MI, often working during the lunch hour and again after school. After graduation and marriage, she was employed at a variety of jobs before flourishing as a secretary for local businesses such as Wilcox-Gay and AE/Hoover. She loved her work and felt a sense of accomplishment and pleasure serving others. After retirement, Bev volunteered at the local senior citizen center and at the HGB Hospital Auxiliary’s gift shop. This sense of service and love for people are what personify Bev’s life. Her four children, 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren (with #23 soon to be born), and numerous nephews and nieces will remember Bev’s warm hospitality and energy as she hosted many family reunions. Please join us in celebrating Bev’s life on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Burkhead-Green Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary will host a luncheon at the VFW Post starting around 12:30 p.m. Bring your stories to reminisce with the family. Memorials/contributions may be made to Eaton Community Palliative Care (who gave wonderful attention to “Miss Beverly” in her final days) or the VFW Ladies Auxiliary (of which Bev was a lifetime member).