Karole A. (Miller) Gilman

Passed away Friday evening, March 10, 2023. Karole was born July 31, 1940, in South Bend, IN the daughter of Russell and Emma (Kish) Miller. She retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and enjoyed racing Trottingbred and Standardbred Horses, belonging to several racing clubs and organizations. She was an avid reader with a passion for James Patterson novels, bowled in several leagues, bred and owned boxer dogs, loved playing board games with her grandchildren, and playing with model trains.

On October 26, 1980, she was united in marriage to her loving husband Johnny Gilman, who survives. Also surviving are her daughters, Michelle (Marshall) Arbuckle, Melissa (Erich) Leach; stepdaughter Tammi (Kevin) Franke; grandchildren, Tayler Ondersma and Brendan Leach; step-grandchildren, Jessica, Julia and Benjamin Franke and Brodyx Gilman and Alexis Gilman; step-great-grandchildren, Aurora Gilman, Greyson Haskins and Nickarious Henderson; sister, Diana (Harold) Hoover; and several nieces and nephews. Karole was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sharon (Fred) Stephens; and stepson, John (Nikki) Gilman.

Friends may meet the family for the visitation from 4:00-6:00pm Wednesday, March 15 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, 622 S. Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A graveside service will be held at 11:00am Thursday, March 16 at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. To view Karole’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com