Vivian Mae Stricklin

Vivian Mae Rose Stricklin Vivian and her twin sister Violet were born June 5th, 1934 in Highland Park, Illinois to Herbert Henry Coleman and Mary Alice Glader. Vivian and Violet were the youngest of seven children; Mary Ellen, Joseph Allen, Patricia Ann, Daniel Herbert, and Donald Robert. She spent her formative years in the greater Chicago area. While growing up, she was part of an active and talented athletic family. Vivian enjoyed basketball and ice skating. It was her active spirit that eventually crossed her path with that of a handsome soldier from Moulton, Alabama. Vivian met and fell in love with Earl Almon Stricklin while he was at his duty station of Fort Sheridan, Illinois. They would move to Lawrence, Michigan in late 1955 to join Earl’s family and were married on March 5, 1956. Together they would settle in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Vivian found employment at the Shakespeare Corporation and Earl with Schafers Bakery and then the newly opened Fisher Body Stamping Plant. They lived in the Washington Square neighborhood, but would settle in Milwood were they purchased the family home and raised four children; Kim, Brian, Ron, and Randy. Vivian enjoyed simple board games, family card nights, and the challenge of working a good jigsaw puzzle. Vivian thoroughly enjoyed the company of her lifelong friend Faye Jones, with whom she would take endless walks and mull over the events of the day and the challenges that life can bring. Vivian was a meticulous homemaker, as her children will attest, everything had a place and everything was in its place. Vivian passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2014, surrounded by her loving family at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Alice Coleman, her siblings Mary, Joe, and Danny, her husband Earl, and her son Brian. Vivian is survived by her daughter Kim (Rick) Ross, Brian’s widow Jackie Stricklin, and her sons Ron (Nancy) Stricklin, and Randy (Sandi) Stricklin, her siblings; Pat (Rudy) Freimuth, Donald (Maurine) Coleman, and Violet Prosser. Several grandchildren; April Ross, Kelly Ross, Erin (Zac) Holmes, Jason Hughes, Dollie (Felix) Valadez, Larry Yingling, Brian Stricklin II, Eric (Rita) Stricklin, Collin Stricklin, Taylor Stricklin, Tyler (Jillian) Stricklin, and Austin Stricklin. Along with great grandchildren; Bryce McMannus, Breyden Sauder, Katie Parker, Jackson Parker, Easton Holmes, Gabriel Valadez, Gavin Catherwood, Hadyn Valadez, Caitlyn Valadez, and Parker Yingling. In lieu of flowers, her family would like you to consider a donation in her honor to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence or Southwest Michigan Hospice. Donation envelopes will be available at the Memorial Service. The Memorial Service will be held Saturday July 19, 2014 at 3:00pm at Portage United Church of Christ, 2731 West Milham Avenue, Portage, Michigan 49024.