Arthur Kiel

Arthur J. Kiel, age 92 of Kalamazoo, died on March 20, 2025. He was born on November 27, 1932, in Kalamazoo, the son of Arie and Alice (Hut) Kiel.

Art attended Portage Schools. He had a lifetime dedicated to hard work beginning in his teenage years. He started as a truck driver for a local greenhouse. When his Uncle asked him to join him in his masonry business, Art found his calling. Along with masonry work he was a natural at woodworking. He enjoyed building birdhouses and watching the beautiful birds that came to visit. All of his children have beautiful oak furniture pieces created by Art as well. He had a hand at building or remodeling each of their homes. On October 3, 1952, he married his life long love, Carol Ekema, who died just 24 days before him. Art and Carol were members of Twin Lakes Reformed Church, where he served as elder and led the evangelism team, and later they joined North Park Reformed Church. Art and Carol enjoyed pulling the trailer and taking their kids on camping trips. In later years, they wintered in Florida where Art loved to play shuffleboard. Art loved playing hymns on his harmonica while Carol played the organ. He loved to tease each of his grandchildren that his proudest moment would be to play his harmonica at their wedding. He was a humble, hard working man with a heart dedicated to the Lord and his family.

He is survived by his children: Steve (Joyce) Kiel, Dennis (Janet) Kiel, Randy (Jill) Kiel, and Gary (Tammy) Kiel; his grandchildren: Kevin (Holly) Kiel, Amy (Dave) Balint-Kaat, Cara (Cole) Frame, Angela (Adam) Mitchell, Andy (Julie) Kiel, Jeff (Heather) Kiel, Allison (Dave) Ericks, Bethany (Scott) Lehmer, Melissa (Chris) Bierenga, Kristina (Danny) Houser, and Michael Kiel; his 31 great-grandchildren; his sisters: Elizabeth "Betty" Hoorn and Dorothy Barker; his brother Robert Kiel. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol Kiel, his sons Timothy Mark and Mark Duane, and his siblings: John Kiel, Don Kiel, Jessie Free, Berdina Kloosterman, Anna Jean Lockhart, Henry Kiel, Trena VanderRoest, Irene Mejeur, Alfred Kiel, and Ruth Sparks.

Friends may visit with his family on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM at North Park Reformed Church, 1316 Barney Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49004, where his funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Paul Fazio officiating. Burial will be at Alamo Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to North Park Reformed Church. Please share memories of Art with his family at www.langelands.com.