Loraine J. "Lori" Mahar

Loraine Joyce "Lori" Mahar, age 39, of Battle Creek unexpectedly passed away on Thursday afternoon, January 18, 2018 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. She was born in Battle Creek on June 29, 1978, the daughter of Wendell H. and Carolyn L. (St. John) Mahar. Lori graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1996 and furthered her education at Michigan State University and Miller College. Lori dedicated herself as a teacher with the Manatee Public Schools in Fort Myers, Florida, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Lakeview Schools and currently with Battle Creek Public Schools, where she served as an English and Language Arts teacher at Springfield Middle School and proudly coached the JV Lady Cats basketball team at Battle Creek Central High School. She was beloved by the players she coached as well as the students and staff she worked with at Springfield Middle School, and throughout the district during her years with Battle Creek Public Schools.

Lori is survived by her amazing daughter, Maddi Mahar; her parents, Wendell and Carolyn Mahar; her brothers, Paul (Michelle) Mahar of Kalamazoo, and Michael (Stephanie) Mahar of Macomb County, Michigan; her nieces & nephews, Grace, Lillian, Keagan, Cade & Bryce; her aunts & uncles, Madolyn & David Richardson, Cindy & Rod Webster, Tammy St. John, Michael & Kathy St. John, Dejuan St. John, Kenneth Mahar, and Victor Ballez; her best friend, Amy Kraft; and a large extended family, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joyce & Clarence St. John, Arthur & Pauline Mahar, and her uncle, Samuel Mahar.

Lori was the realest person you will ever meet, and had an incredibly funny personality and sense of humor. She had an incredible heart and would do anything for anyone. Lori loved supporting & helping at-risk children, and served more than ten summers as a camp counselor at Camp Cayuga in Pennsylvania. Lori touched so many lives, not only as a teacher and coach, but also as a mentor & friend to many. She was very athletic and an avid Michigan State University Alumnus and fan.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 24th at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium, 50 W. Van Buren St., Battle Creek, where a memorial service to celebrate Lori's life will be held at 5:00 p.m. Family and friends will continue the celebration of Lori's life with a gathering at the American Legion Post #54, 1125 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek (where Lori had served as a past-president of the Auxiliary) immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, a college scholarship fund has been established for Maddi at the Omni Community Credit Union, 3141 Capital Ave. SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Checks may be made payable to her guardian, Amy Kraft. Envelopes will be made available at the visitation and funeral on Wednesday. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Lori may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.