Jean Mary (Koestner) Branson

Jean Mary (Koestner) Branson of Richland, MI,











Jean, age 92, died Saturday morning, July 5, 2014 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, Kalamazoo, MI and surrounded by her loving children.


Jean, the daughter of John P. and Ina I. (Keller) Koestner, was born on March 8, 1922 in Kalamazoo; she was a lifetime area resident and a 1939 graduate of St. Augustine Catholic High School. She furthered her education and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Michigan University in Elementary Education in 1943. Jean retired in 1986 from St. Mary's Catholic School after 30 years of faithful service as an Elementary Teacher. She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church of Augusta, MI; a member of the Ladies of the Lake and member of the Garden Club. She enjoyed gardening, was an avid reader, but the most important part of her life was her family especially her grandchildren.


Jean was united in marriage to Oscar "Ozzie" Branson, Jr. on January 1, 1944 in Kalamazoo and he preceded her in death on December 16, 2012 after 69 years together. Surviving are her two daughters, Judy A. (George) Carpin of Henderson, NV and Linda J. (Michael) Cox of Ada, MI; her son, Daniel J. (Susan) Branson of Harbor Springs, MI; ten grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Reisterer of Kalamazoo and Joan Beebe of Hickory Corners, MI and her brother, Paul (Jan) Koestner of Hickory Corners. Jean was preceded in death by her parents and one sister and three brothers.


Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 10th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 12648 East D Avenue, Augusta (49012) with Father Christopher J. Derda, Celebrant and Deacon Michael A. Carl, Assisting. Friends will be received from 9:30 a.m. until Mass time at the Church on Thursday. Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Friends and family will return to the Church's Social Hall immediately following the committal service to continue Jean's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Ministry with Community, 440 N. Church Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, 222 Kalamazoo Mall, Suite # 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel (269-629-6022) is in charge of all the arrangements.