Karel Lee Eames
April 12, 1940 – January 17, 2026
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karel’s memory may be made to Centrica Care Navigators, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 85 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026. Karel was born in Kalamazoo on April 12, 1940, the daughter of Robert and Rosalyn (Saye) Searles. On June 25, 1958, she married Gayle Edwin Eames who preceded her in death in 2001. Karel worked for over forty years for Sears Roebuck. In her spare time she enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. In the summers she liked living at Klines Resort. Nothing was more important to her than her family and she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Karel is survived by her children, Michael (Donna) Eames, Kimberly (James) Johnson, Karen (Todd) VanMeekeren; grandchildren, Rebecca (John) Crews, Ryan (Tori) Eames, Joshua Eames, Nathan (Kelly) Johnson, Jeffrey Johnson, T.J. (Samantha) VanMeekeren, Brandon (Jessica) VanMeekeren, Adam (Celsey) VanMeekeren, Darren (Katy) VanMeekeren, James (Christina) Dixon; great grandchildren, John Crews, Jr., Jackson Crews, Bennett Eames, Tyler Dixon, Audrey Dixon, Jack Johnson, Oliver Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Sawyer Johnson, Elsie Johnson, Tucker Johnson, Lucy Johnson, Joselyn VanMeekeren, Avery VanMeekeren, Addison VanMeekeren, Alivia VanMeekeren, Lilliana VanMeekeren, Elliana VanMeekeren, Ricardo VanMeekeren, Asher VanMeekeren, Annabella VanMeekeren, Zoey VanMeekeren, Ada VanMeekeren, Liam VanMeekeren, August VanMeekeren; nieces and nephews; and many friends; Besides her husband, Karel was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.
My sincere condolences to the whole family. Karel was a lovely woman who raised her family well! I always appreciated and enjoyed her offspring as students. Whether it was her children or grandchildren, I could always see the good character, hard work and gratitude she exemplified. People like her are true treasure! She will be missed.
Sending love and prayers to the Van Meekerens at the loss of Gigi! She will be missed. Bob and Amy