Joan Buttery Obituary

Joan C. Buttery, daughter of Arthur and Rosamond Barney, went to be with the Lord on October 26, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1938, Joan graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University. She began her career teaching in the Portage Public Schools, where she inspired students for six years, before continuing her work in education as a paraprofessional in the Battle Creek and Coldwater school systems.

Upon returning to Kalamazoo, Joan devoted 15 years to the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce, where she served as head of the Business/Education Connection speaker's bureau and helped build lasting partnerships between local businesses and schools.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jack Barney. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard, of Portage, with whom she shared 65 wonderful years of marriage; her son, Michael, of Phoenix, Arizona; her daughter, Linda (Shannon) O'Toole; and her cherished granddaughters, Riley and McKenna O'Toole, all of Phoenix, Arizona. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, as well as her beloved granddogs, Valentino and Bailey.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place, and she will be interred in the Columbarium Niches at Fort Custer Veterans National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Street, Kalamazoo. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. If you wish to donate in her honor, contributions may be made to Milwood United Methodist Church.