Betty L. Saxman

Betty L. Saxman, age 96, of Springfield died Monday, August 31, 2026, at Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo. She was born in Colon, Michigan on November 15, 1929, the daughter of Carl F. and Glema R. (Schrader) Shannon and graduated from Colon High School with the Class of 1947. In 1988, Betty retired from Springfield Schools after more than 21 years of service as a secretary and payroll clerk.

On September 6, 1947, she was united in marriage to Alan I. Saxman; he sadly preceded her in death on April 10, 2011. She is survived by her children, Linda K. (Phil) Daniel and William A. (Sherral) Saxman both of Battle Creek; two grandchildren, Chris (Erin) Brown and Kristi (Sean) McLaughlin; two step-grandchildren, Lori (Jon) Halder and Jeff (Bridget) Daniel; seven step-great grandchildren; two step great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mary Saxman; a brother-in-law, Ralph Parlin; and several nieces & nephews. Betty was also preceded in death by her parents; and infant brother, Richard Shannon; and three sisters, Wylia Frederick, Vera Losinski, and Marcella Parlin.

Betty was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church for more than 61 years, the American Legion #298 Auxiliary, and the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. In her younger years, she was a Bluebirds & Campfire Girls leader and was a Den Mother with Alan who was a Scoutmaster for Troop #23. She enjoyed flowers, traveling, wintering with Alan in Sebring, FL, jigsaw puzzles, reading, crocheting and her special relationship with her great-granddaughter, Lily.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services where services to Celebrate Betty’s Life will be held 12:30 p.m., Friday, September 11, 20026. Interment will follow at the Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice).  Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Batty may be placed www.henryfuneralhome.org.