Roy M. Van Loo

Roy M. Van Loo, Jr., age 80 of Battle Creek went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 2, 2022. He was born on July 5,1942 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Roy M. and S. Elaine (Foster) Van Loo. He was a lifelong resident of Battle Creek, where he graduated from Battle Creek Central in 1960. He attended Kellogg Community College and graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors degree in Art and Associate's degree in Science. He worked 42 years for the Battle Creek Enquirer, retiring in 2007.

Roy was united in marriage on August 15, 1964 to Diane (Leatherman) Van Loo; she survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Julie (Mike) Thompson and Tracy Swafford; his grandsons, Kyle (Kristin) Thompson, and Matthew Thompson; and his great-grandchildren, Rosie Thompson and Levi Thompson. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy M. Van Loo, Sr. and Sylvia Elaine (Foster) Van Loo; his sister, Sharon Kay Van Loo; and his son-in-law, Kevin Swafford.

Roy loved being outside and enjoying the beauty of nature. He was an artist and a well-known nature photographer in the area. He was a member of PSA for many years. In 1972, he won the Charles A. Kinsley Memorial Trophy donated by Eastman Kodak Company for the best 3 nature prints in PSA International Salon. His photos have been published in Sierra and Audubon calendars.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Family was very important to him. He was the family photographer at all gatherings and he has photographed many years of wonderful family memories. He was so loved and will be greatly missed.

The family will receive friends 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 9th at Battle Creek Friends Church, 1305 Olive St, Battle Creek, MI 49014, where services to celebrate Roy's life will begin at 11:00 a.m. A private family interment will be held at Hicks West Pennfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kevin B. Swafford Memorial Fund, c/o the Battle Creek Community Foundation and/or Battle Creek Friends Church. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.