Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services

10/12/2026

Today, we honor the Indigenous peoples who have called this land home long before it had a name on any map — their histories, their resilience, and the traditions still carried forward by their communities today.

We believe deeply in the power of story, memory, and honoring those who came before us. It's the same belief that guides everything we do for the families we serve.

Today, we extend that same reverence to the Indigenous communities in the areas where we live and work.

We're grateful for the chance to reflect, to learn, and to listen. 🌿

10/10/2026

Gary Scott Spaulding, 81, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2026, surrounded by love at his home, following a short illness. Gary was born October 12, 1944, in Battle Creek to Darrold and Bethel Spaulding.

Gary graduated from Bellevue High School and attended Kellogg C...

View Gary Scott Spaulding's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/10/2026

Today is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. 💛

Many of the families we serve come to us after weeks or months spent alongside a hospice or palliative care team. Those caregivers bring gentle hands and a steady presence during the transition. Their care shapes how we remember a loved one's final days, with comfort and dignity at the center.

Today, we're grateful for the hospice and palliative care professionals in our communities, and we remember the loved ones they comforted along the way. Thank you for walking with families through some of life's most tender days.

10/10/2026

Dennis's family is working on his obituary, please check back later.

Thank you,
Dennis's Family

View Dennis Michael Bates's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/09/2026

We're excited to support the 2026 Marshall United Way VIP Raffle!

At Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, giving back to the community we serve is important to us. We're proud to be a sponsor of this year's Marshall United Way fundraiser and have donated a special prize package featuring a Dooney & Bourke handbag, a bottle of w**e, and a decorative countdown calendar!

Want a chance to win? Raffle tickets are just $25 each, and there are several fantastic prize packages up for grabs!

Here's how to enter:
- Purchase tickets online at https://marshallunitedway.com/vip-raffle-prizes/
- Visit Southern Michigan Bank & Trust in Marshall, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
- Purchase tickets from a United Way Board Member.

Important Dates:
- October 22: Last day to purchase main drawing tickets.
- October 23 at 1:00 PM: Main drawing at Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, broadcast on Facebook Live.

When purchasing your ticket, you'll also have the opportunity to select three additional prize packages for a chance to win!

We're grateful for the opportunity to support Marshall United Way and the important work they do in our community. Good luck to everyone who enters, and thank you for supporting a great cause!

10/08/2026

Anthony H. VanDenberg
MSgt (RET) Anthony Hiram VanDenberg, 80 of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was called home on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Tony was born on March 6, 1946 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Harold and Ruby (Case) VanDenberg.
Tony was raised on a 200-acre farm in Calhoun County, Michigan, wi...

View Anthony "Tony" VanDenberg's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/08/2026

Joan Elanora Garthe, 73, of Olivet, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at Thornapple Manor in Hastings, Michigan.
Joan was born on July 7, 1953 in Petoskey, Michigan to Stanley H. and Jorunn E. (Norson) Garthe.
Joan graduated from Petoskey High School. She continued her educa...

View Joan E. Garthe's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

10/06/2026

Fall fun is coming to Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services! 🍂🎃

Join us Saturday, October 24 from 12:30–2:30 PM for our Fall Family Fun Fest at our Marshall location. Bring the whole family for pumpkin giveaways, a costume contest, food, face painting, and plenty of fall fun!

The event is completely FREE for the entire family, but we’d love for you to register in advance:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4fJjweWS2LR3-MP8tDK1sD-5E7W1JaVW_9l1H5rjrc0ne0w/viewform

📍 723 US Hwy 27 North, Marshall, MI 49068

We can’t wait to celebrate the season with our community!

10/05/2026

Safety pins for a button that gives way at the worst moment. Bobby pins for hair that won't cooperate under stress. Static spray for a dress that has other plans. It's the stuff nobody sees us plan for — until we need it.

Because on one of the the hardest days, we don't want a wardrobe malfunction to be the thing they remember.

It's a small thing and one of the many thoughtful things we think about and do.

10/01/2026

Behind the scientist who redefined our understanding of animals stood a woman who never lost her sense of wonder or her belief in hope.

Today, we're featuring Jane Goodall, who passed away on this day, October 1, 2025.

She walked into the forests of Gombe as a young woman with no formal degree, and emerged having changed science forever. She showed the world that chimpanzees use tools, form deep bonds, and grieve. She spent the rest of her life traveling nearly 300 days a year, urging audiences of every age to act and support animal welfare.

Jane Goodall's funeral was held on November 12, 2025, at Washington National Cathedral, where her three grandchildren and longtime friend Leonardo DiCaprio paid tribute. "Most people knew her as Jane Goodall, the icon, the legend," DiCaprio said. "But the Jane I was fortunate enough to get to know was gentle, curious, funny, witty and absolutely unstoppable."

Her legacy reminds us that changing the world doesn't require permission — just patience, curiosity, and the courage to look closely at what everyone else overlooked.

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to our wonderful community! 🍀
Whether you’re celebrating with family, enjoying the fresh start of spring, or simply embracing a little extra green today, we hope your day is filled with luck, laughter, and kindness.

03/06/2026

Today we pause to say thank you to the people who make our mission possible.

Our team works tirelessly behind the scenes and alongside families to provide comfort, guidance, and support when it matters most. On Employee Appreciation Day, we celebrate each of you and the difference you make every day.

We are proud of our team!

01/05/2026

January can feel heavy. If you’re grieving, here are three gentle ideas that might help:
1) Light a candle each evening and speak a memory out loud.
2) Take a short walk and notice one thing that brings you peace.
3) Create a small memory space at home with a photo and a note.
However you honor your person, you’re not alone.

01/01/2026

As we step into a new year together, Kempf's of Bellevue - Event Center wants to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year's Day! 🎉

Thank you for being part of our community. Your trust means everything to us, and we look forward to serving you with the same care and dedication in the days ahead.

What are you most looking forward to this year? ✨

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Kempf's of Bellevue - Event Center! 🎄

This special season reminds us of the joy that comes from being together with the people we care about most. We feel grateful to be part of your family's journey and to share in the moments that matter.

Christmas brings warmth, love, and hope into our homes and hearts. We understand how meaningful these traditions are for you and your loved ones.

We hope your day is filled with laughter, good food, and precious memories that will last a lifetime.

How are you celebrating this Christmas with your family? ✨

12/11/2025

If this holiday season feels different… that’s okay.
Traditions may shift. Emotions may rise.
What once felt joyful may now feel heavy.

There is no “right way” to grieve during the holidays.
Give yourself permission to move at your own pace, honor what matters most, and take things one day at a time.

We’re here for you. ❤️