Wanda Lea Hageman

Wanda Lea Hageman April 28, 1934 – December 9, 2023

Wanda was born in Holden, West Virginia on April 28, 1934 the fifth of eight children born to Gilbert and Violet (Morrison) Cremeans.   In 1951 she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Jeffries and they lived in Earling, West Virginia until moving to Plainwell, Michigan in 1955 with their daughter Brenda to seek better job opportunities.  After moving to Michigan, they added Rhonda and Teresa to their family.

Working side by side with her husband they built their own home and Jeffries Party Store which they operated until 1966.  She also worked for many years as a secretary at various businesses in the Plainwell area. 

After losing her children’s father in 1968, Wanda was determined to support her family so she went to nursing school while working a full-time job.  At the time of her retirement, she was working as a hospice nurse and always said that was the most rewarding job she had ever had.  Any time she met a fellow nurse you could be sure there would be a long conversation to follow. 

In 1971 Wanda married James (Jim) Hageman and together they owned and operated Futureland Grocery Store in the Pine Lake area, they also owned Pine Lake Marina and a furniture making business until Jim’s death in 2001.

Wanda enjoyed getting her hair done, playing bingo, going to the casino, getting a manicure, vacations with her daughters, and socializing with family and friends.  She had a beautiful singing voice and could often be heard singing along to the radio or record player while working around the house.  Wanda will also be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor.

Wanda was preceded in death by an infant brother and sister, husbands Richard Jeffries and Jim Hageman, brothers Darrell Cremeans and Dolphus Cremeans, sister Katherine Strobel, son in-law Michael (Mike) Mollitor, grandson Thomas (Tom) Beazley, step son Timothy (Tim) Hageman.

She is survived by her brother James (Yolanda) Cremeans, her sister Glenna Amburgy, daughters Brenda (Haywood) Beazley, Rhonda (Douglas) Wine, Teresa (Steve) LaFountain, step son Ron Hageman, step daughter Treasa Hageman, grandchildren Stephanie Grigsby (Jay Bird), Brad Beazley, Lisa (Shane) Rogers, Michael (Elle) Mollitor, Ross (Alexa) LaFountain, Cal LaFountain and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Wanda passed away peacefully at Heritage Community of Kalamazoo where she was being cared for by the compassionate and caring staff, especially Chloe and Travis.  The family would also like to thank Senior Care Partners PACE for their concern and support during the last years of Wanda’s life.  She enjoyed going to the day center and being with her friends and the staff there.  She was excited and appreciative when they presented her with a trip back to her home state of West Virginia with her daughters in 2022.

Per Wanda’s wishes cremation has taken place.  Burial of her ashes will be at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 1:00 pm.  A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

While visiting Wanda’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being cared for by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 120 S. Woodhams St., Plainwell, MI  49080 (269) 685-5881.