Connie Lynn Schoonard

Connie Lynn Schoonard, 58, of Delton, passed away suddenly on November 12, 2016 in Kalamazoo County.

She was born Connie Thiessen in Battle Creek, Michigan on April 5, 1958 to Chester and Donna Thiessen of East Leroy.

Connie and her husband of 34 years, Timothy L. Schoonard, also of Delton were parents of seven children.

Connie worked together with her husband Timothy in their family woodworking business for 29 years working in some way in service of over 45 Catholic churches in 35 cities across three states. Together with her husband Timothy she co-founded Latria, Inc. a nonprofit apostolate dedicated to promoting the appreciation for sacred art and preserving Christian Culture for young people. She graduated from Saint Philip Catholic Central in 1976. Previously she had been a stylist for Donna's Beauty Salon in East Leroy and a Pediatric Nurse Aid for Battle Creek Health System.

Connie was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, active in her Catholic Church and Catholic homeschooling.

She enjoyed travelling with her family and working on their family farm.

She is survived by her husband Timothy L. Schoonard (55), her seven children and their spouses, Joshua B. Schoonard (33), Sarah M. Schoonard (31), Monica L. Schoonard (29), Noah T. Schoonard (26) and Allie (Bloom) Schoonard of Ft. Wayne, IN, Jonah J. Schoonard (26) and Malinda (Skirka) Schoonard of Union City, Brianna M. (Schoonard) Urena (24) and Kelvin Urena of Grand Rapids, and Elijah C. Schoonard (21) of Kalamazoo, and two grandchildren Makayla and Alissa Skirka. She is also survived by her parents Chester G. Thiessen and Donna M. Thiessen of East Leroy, and five sisters, Karen L. Rounds, Mary L. Sheerer, Therese L. Koski, Maria A. Tolf, and Andrea M. Thiessen. She is preceded in death by her brother.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, where a rosary will be recited at 7: 00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father James Richardson at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, 939 Charlotte Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49048, Thursday, November 17th at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at Mt. Olivet, Kalamazoo. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the family or visit their Go Fund Me page at https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-costs-hosptial-bills?ssid=805195281&pos=1. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.