Miriam Joy (Bower) DeVaney

DeVaney, Miriam
of Kalamazoo MI
Formerly of Vicksburg and Lapeer MI

On March 14, 2020, Miriam J. DeVaney, 68, left her loving family to go be with her Heavenly Father. Miriam was the daughter of her late parents Dr. Joseph Bower and Kathleen Bower. Miriam was a graduate of Quincy High School, Quincy Illinois. She attended Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois. Miriam married the love of her life, Kenneth DeVaney on November 25, 1972. They were blessed with two precious children, daughter, Tracey and a son Jeffrey.

She was employed by Dr. John Labaza of Lapeer MI for several years as an Optician. Following her move to Kalamazoo she was employed at Portage Eye Care, Portage MI for 14 years. There she served as Office Manager and an Optician. She also worked at Hiemstra Optical. After this time she was blessed with grand children and wanted to spend time with them. Miriam first would want to give thanks to Jesus for His shed blood on Calvary and the gift of salvation and the assurance of Heaven.

Second, she was so thankful for her Godly loving husband and parents. She truly loved her children and her beautiful grandchildren. Spending time with the grand children was so important to her. Miriam was a member of Berean Baptist Church, Portage, MI since 1985 and spent many years as part of the choir. She helped in the Awana Program and Children's Sunday School and Church time. Miriam loved music, her favorite being Southern Gospel. They attended countless concerts. She also loved opening their home and sharing with guests, cooking, gardening, boating and spending time at their Higgins Lake Cottage in Northern Michigan. God blessed Miriam with a loving heart to reach out to others with cards, meals, phone calls and books. She loved encouraging others.

Miriam is survived by her husband, Kenneth, daughter, Tracey (JJ), son, Jeffrey (Kendra) and grandchildren Kody, Kaley, Landon, Logan and Alley, sisters, Ruth (John) Fields, Becky (Gordon) Grieves and brother David (Donna) Bower. Proceeded in death: Parents Dr. Joseph Bower and Kathleen, sister, Faith Schaaf.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, March 20th at Berean Baptist Church, 7813 South 12th Street, Portage, MI. The family will receive friends from 2-4PM and 6-8PM on Thursday, March 19th at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI; and at the Church one hour prior to service time. Burial will take place in West Cooper Cemetery. Memorials in Miriam's memory may be directed to Berean Baptist Church - Building Fund. Please visit Miriam's personalized webpage to sign her online guest book, or leave a message or condolence for her family at https://www.langelands.com