Bruce N. Bilanow

Bruce Nicholas Bilanow, 73, of Battle Creek, MI died on Monday, July 18, 2022 at Centrica Glenn Arbor Place. He was born on June 22, 1949 in South Haven, MI, the son of Walter and Dawn (Maybee) Bilanow. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Thomas, and niece Katie Burnes Rice.

Bruce is survived by his wife Kiran (Dhar) Bilanow. They met in Rio de Janeiro Brazil where both were vacationing. They were married on October 19, 1974. Also surviving are his daughter Preeya ( Stephen Spinosa ) of Denver CO, sons Nicholas (Betsy) of Perrysburg OH and Jacob( Nicole) of Highland MI; Grandchildren Zac and Cooper Spinosa, Max and Emersyn Bilanow, and Brynlee Bilanow; Sister Pat (Jim) Burnes and nephew Andy Burnes; Brother Dan( Kathy) Bilanow, niece Erin Bilanow and nephew Alex Bilanow, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. Bruce is also survived by his UK family, sisters-in-law Robeena, Moneesha and Devika Dhar, niece Annusha Faithful of Edinburgh Scotland and nephew Mohan Dhar of London UK.

Bruce was a 1967 graduate of Lakeview High School, participating in Varsity football and wrestling. He then graduated from Western Michigan University. Bruce was well respected and worked in the road paving industry, working for Reith Riley, Advanced Paving and Paving Consultants.

A hard worker and a lifelong learner, Bruce approached every project with great enthusiasm. He was a builder, a carpenter, a planter of trees, a fixer of everything. He loved traveling and learning about, and exploring new places. He enjoyed riding his bike, reading and woodworking, fishing, ice fishing, hunting, gardening and bird watching. He was a staunch fan of his beloved sports teams, the Red Wings, the Lions, the Tigers and the Maize and Blue. Bruce loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren, eating corn on the cob and rating its sweetness, and attending plays at the Barn Theatre.

Friends will be received 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2022 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care in Battle Creek.

Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 23 at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Mike Wicks officiating. The service can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/event/2293769. A luncheon will follow. Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Centrica Glenn Arbor Place, The Barn Theatre or Pancreatic Cancer.

Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.