Stephen Roger Batts, 61, passed away at his home in Kalamazoo, MI on Monday, June 15, 2026, following a short battle with lung cancer. Stephen was born on June 19, 1964, in Traverse City, MI to Robert (Bob) and Dorothy.

He is a graduate of Western Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a lifelong goal that he completed after lovingly raising his children. A talented craftsman and artist, Stephen enjoyed the physical and creative process of molding wood, stone, metal, and clay. A natural problem solver with a deep mechanical aptitude, he was never afraid to get his hands dirty. He was also a dreamer who contemplated the limits of what is possible in his art leaving behind a legacy of beautiful creations.

He is survived by his children, Bob and Annie Batts, his mother Dorothy Eppolito, and many stepsiblings, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Batts, and his sister Sarah Saunders.

A special thank you to the teams at Bronson Hospital and Centrica Hospice that helped to care for him in his final days.