Vicki Warner

Vicki Eileen Warner, age 74, of Alma, Michigan, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025, at the Michigan Masonic Home after a long battle with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Vicki was born on May 28, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Thelma (Geissel) Lanphear. She grew up in Kalamazoo with her four brothers and graduated with the Kalamazoo Central High School Class of 1969, where she formed a close-knit group of lifelong friends.

A dedicated member of the Masonic family, Vicki was especially active in the Order of the Eastern Star and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She served faithfully as Worthy Matron for Corinthian Chapter #123 and Loyalty Chapter #497, was Past President of the Kalamazoo County Association and the Southwest District Association. She held numerous state and local committee roles and was honored to serve as Grand Ruth in the Wilcenski-Ott Grand Family. Vicki also served many years as Mother Advisor for Kalamazoo Assembly #27 and as a State Official for the Grand Assembly. Her life was defined by service, mentorship, and devotion to others.

Vicki married Matthew McCoy, originally from Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1974. She supported his involvement in Shriners International, even dressing up as a clown alongside him from time to time. Together they had one daughter, were guardians for their nephews Matthew Sean and James while they were in high school, and cared for Matthew's daughter Amy from a previous marriage. After several years as a single parent, she married Duane E. Warner of Kalamazoo in July of 1995. They traveled all over the state for his numerous masonic commitments and their shared Eastern Star activities. Over the years she made her home in Kalamazoo, Watervliet, and Alma. She worked for more than 45 years at Harding's Marketplace in the West Main area of Kalamazoo, where she took great pride in her role as a union steward and department manager. Beyond her professional and community commitments, Vicki enjoyed collecting teddy bears and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Desi) McCoy-Fischer; step-daughter Amy (Nate) Bennett; brothers Stephen (Betteann) Lanphear, Paul Lanphear, and Edward (Gail) Lanphear; her nieces and nephews: Kelly (Randy) Baird, along with their son Gavin; Alex Lanphear, Aaron Lanphear, Jonathan (Connie) Gensemer, Matthew Sean Taylor-McCoy, James P. McCoy, David McCoy, Christian McCoy, Adam Nelson, and Paul Nelson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husbands, Matthew McCoy and Duane Warner. Also preceding her in death are her brother Gary Lanphear and her niece Christina Lanphear.

Vicki's family wishes to especially recognize her many Rainbow Girls, Eastern Star sisters and brothers, and dear friends who shared in her life and service.

Visitation will be held at Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane in Portage, Michigan, on Sunday, September 28, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and again on Monday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the same location with Rev. James Dyke officiating. Vicki will be laid to rest with her husband at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Gardens following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Dementia Society of America.

While visiting Vicki's webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family. 

The Warner family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002.