Gordon S. Berkhousen

Gordon Stanley Berkhousen, age 89, of Kalamazoo, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Rose Arbor Place Hospice. Gordon was born on February 3, 1936, the son of Glen and Jane (Shuert) Berkhousen.

He graduated in 1954 from Kalamazoo State High School where he played baseball and football. Gordon proudly served in the United States Air Force after high school and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He later went on to teach physical education and history at Parchment Junior High School. In addition to teaching, he coached cross country at Parchment.

On June 14, 1959, in East Moline, IL, Gordon was united in marriage to Mary (Schnack) Berkhousen. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year. Gordon was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church where he had life-long friends who were like family. He had a deep love of history—especially the Civil War—and enjoyed playing the guitar, vacationing and camping with his family, and running. He was an avid runner who participated in the Chicago Marathon in his 40s.

Along with his wife, Mary, who survives. He is also survived by four children: Guy Berkhousen, Heidi Jackson, Erika (Lance) Smith, and Kristin (Shepherd) Whitcomb; Grandchildren: Alesha Levora, Tony (Alyssa) Berkhousen, Beau Berkhousen, Renitha Evins, Jaron (Reena) Jackson, Peyton (Kristin Kersey) Jackson, Karli Smith, Korbin Smith, Madeline Whitcomb, Camryn Whitcomb, Lillian Whitcomb, and Evelyn Whitcomb, many great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter; his brother, Philip (Pat) Berkhousen; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gary Berkhousen.

Gordon Stanley Berkhousen, age 89, of Kalamazoo, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Rose Arbor Place Hospice. Gordon was born on February 3, 1936, the son of Glen and Jane (Shuert) Berkhousen.

He graduated in 1954 from Kalamazoo State High School where he played baseball and football. Gordon proudly served in the United States Air Force after high school and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He later went on to teach physical education and history at Parchment Junior High School. In addition to teaching, he coached cross country at Parchment.

On June 14, 1959, in East Moline, IL, Gordon was united in marriage to Mary (Schnack) Berkhousen. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year. Gordon was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church where he had life-long friends who were like family. He had a deep love of history—especially the Civil War—and enjoyed playing the guitar, vacationing and camping with his family, and running. He was an avid runner who participated in the Chicago Marathon in his 40s.

Along with his wife, Mary, who survives. He is also survived by four children: Guy Berkhousen, Heidi Jackson, Erika (Lance) Smith, and Kristin (Shepherd) Whitcomb; Grandchildren: Alesha Levora, Tony (Alyssa) Berkhousen, Beau Berkhousen, Renitha Evins, Jaron (Reena) Jackson, Peyton (Kristin Kersey) Jackson, Karli Smith, Korbin Smith, Madeline Whitcomb, Camryn Whitcomb, Lillian Whitcomb, and Evelyn Whitcomb, many great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter; his brother, Philip (Pat) Berkhousen; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gary Berkhousen.