Kathleen Kathy Agatha (Modrack) DeKilder

Kathleen “Kathy” A. DeKilder, 88 of Haines City, Florida died January 1, 2013 at Spring Haven Retirement LLC, Winter Haven, Florida with her daughter-in-law Stephanie DeKilder by her side. Kathleen was born on November 21, 1924 in Hastings, MI to Starling Earl Modrack and Yvonne Gladys Agatha (Saunders) Modrack. She spent her childhood in MI. She was united in marriage to Clyde Marshall DeKilder in October 1942. He was in the Navy during WWII; consequently, Kathy stayed in Michigan and completed her schooling. She lived with her husband’s family, Jacob and Bernice DeKilder, and graduated from Delton High School in 1943. Upon graduation, she joined her husband in Tillamook, Oregon, where he was stationed. At the end of WWII, Clyde and Kathy returned to Michigan, settling in Battle Creek. Their first child, Edwin Clyde DeKilder, was born April 12, 1950 in Battle Creek, MI. In 1955, Clyde, Kathy and Ed began a new adventure and moved to Tampa, Florida. Their second child, Mary Ellen DeKilder, was born August 24, 1962 in Tampa, FL. Kathy was a dedicated mother and a homemaker. Earlier in her marriage, she had assisted her husband in several successful business adventures in MI and FL. Her family and extended family was important to her. Clyde and Kathy retired to Haines City, FL.

Kathy is survived by her daughter-in-law, Stephanie (Burke) DeKilder of Lake Wales, FL; three grandsons and their families: Edwin Marshall DeKilder, wife Kelly (Carter) DeKilder and children Dalton Marshall DeKilder and Darian Liberty “Libby” DeKilder; Jason Robert DeKilder, daughter Jaleesa Renee DeKilder and her mother Jackie Maldonado; and Joshua Starling DeKilder and wife Audrey Ann (Castro) DeKilder; their mother and ex-daughter-in-law Nancy “Carolyn” (Davis) DeKilder, all of Tampa, Florida. Also surviving is her sister Ellen Evalyn (Modrack) Schmall of San Diego, CA and sister-in-law Glenna P. (DeKilder) Haines of Galesburg, MI. Surviving nephews and nieces include: George and Ronald Schmall of San Diego, CA; Charles and James Maile of Galesburg, MI; Nancy (Maile) and Gene Johnson, Parkridge, IL; Susan (Haines) and G. Robert Weston and Tom and Liz Haines of Galesburg, MI; Sally (Haines) Bailey, Grand Rapids, MI; Ann (Barnebee) and David Peck, Marshall, MI; Barbara (Barnebee) and Randy Spottek, Mason, MI; Connie (Barnebee) and Brian Roe and Albert and Julie Barnebee, Athens, MI; James (Bonnie) Baker, Lebanon, TN and their families.

Kathy was predeceased by her father and step-mother, Starling and Ruth Modrack; her mother and step-father, Gladys and Samuel Scott of Coldwater, MI and San Diego, CA; husband Clyde M. DeKilder on December 3, 1975, daughter Mary E. DeKilder on October 4, 1990, son Edwin C. DeKilder on August 28, 2012 and by brother and sister-in-laws: Roy Schmall; Genevieve (DeKilder) and Paul Maile; Geneva (DeKilder) and Merl Lammers; Harold “Herb” Haines; Marie (DeKilder) and Moses Barnebee and nieces Linda (Lammers) Baker and Marie Maile.

Cremation has taken place. Internment of cremains