Ruthellen H. McCurley Obituary

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Kalamazoo Community of Christ Church, Park Village Pines or Centrica Care Navigators Hospice, c/o the funeral home.

Ruthellen H. McCurley of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away at Park Village Pines on Saturday October 26, 2024, at the age of 92. Ruthellen was born January 2, 1932, in Coldwater, MI, the daughter of Harold and Helen (Hulce) Smith. She was a graduate of Coldwater High School and Kalamazoo College. Ruthellen taught piano at home and at Kalamazoo College. On November 22, 1953, in Coldwater, Ruthellen was united in marriage to Rollin McCurley. Ruthellen shared her musical talent and abilities as the music director, pianist, and organist, with her lifelong membership to the Kalamazoo Community of Christ Church as well as past president of Kalamazoo Area Music Teacher Association. She enjoyed many hobbies such as playing the piano, ballroom dancing with Ron, reading novels, traveling, fishing and daily walks. Ruthellen was preceded in passing by her parents, Harold and Helen Smith; her sister, Elma (Bruce) Witsaman, as well as a brother and sister-in-law; nieces and nephews. Surviving Ruthellen are two children, Lynette (James Barlow) McCurley, David (Debbie) McCurley; four grandchildren, Valerie Cochran, Andrew (Lindsay) Cochran, Cristin (Scott) Abernathy, Meghan (Raphael) Tigues; four great-grandchildren, Fiona Cochran, Chiara Cochran, Madelene Abernathy, Isabel Abernathy, nieces and nephews.