Mary Jane Kreidler

Kreidler, Mary Jane (Smith) 7/30/28 – 5/31/23.  Mary Jane was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and passed away in Syracuse with her daughter, Laura, by her side.  Her beloved husband, John, died in 2013.  She is survived by her daughters Susan (Michael Arruda), Laura (Greg Siwinkski) and Kathy, as well as her grandchildren, An and Mai Siwinski.

Mary Jane attended McKinley Elementary School and Kalamazoo Central High School.  She stayed in touch with the friends she made in school and helped to organize years of high school reunions.

Mary Jane graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in occupational therapy and began her career caring for children with cerebral palsy.  She met John on a blind date and they were married six months later in 1952.

Mary Jane was active in the Kalamazoo Girl Scouts for most of her life.  She camped and counseled at Camp Merrie Woode.  From the time her daughters were Brownies, she was a troop leader, a neighborhood organizer, and later a member of the board and many committees.  She represented the Kalamazoo Council at several national events.  Many women in Kalamazoo will remember her as “Winky”. 

An artistic and talented seamstress and weaver, Mary Jane made beautiful clothes for her daughters and was an active member of the Kalamazoo Weavers Guild.  She was an avid gardener and a founding member of Burke View Garden Club.  Mary Jane was also involved with Ladies Library.

As a child, Mary Jane loved to tap dance and she and John were accomplished ball room dancers, spending many evenings and weekends dancing and socializing.  Her favorite form of exercise was jazzercise where she was an inspiration to many younger women.

Having lived her entire life in Kalamazoo, Mary Jane had a vast circle of friends.  She loved to entertain at her home and cottage in South Haven.  When she moved to the Heritage Community, Wyndham Apartments, it was her great pleasure to be closer to some of her old friends and make many new ones.

A service is planned for Thursday, June 8^th at 11am at the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, 212 South Park Street, Kalamazoo, MI. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10am. Following the service Mary Jane will be interned at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 1:30pm.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign Mary Jane’s guestbook and/or share a memory with the family. Those who wish may make donations in Mary Jane’s name can be made to Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, 601 W Maple Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49008.

The Kreidler family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002 (269-344-5600).