Yvonne Gail Rose

With tender hearts and deep love, we share the peaceful passing of our beloved Yvonne Gail Rose. Yvonne, 71, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, February 19, 2026. She was born on March 25, 1954, in Battle Creek, MI. Yvonne was the cherished daughter of Barbara and Bruce Welcher.

Yvonne graduated from Lakeview High School and went on to pursue higher education with dedication and determination, earning her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees, along with several additional certificates and credentials that reflected her lifelong love of learning.

Throughout her career, she was employed with many different organizations, where she was respected for her leadership, integrity, and commitment to service. Most recently, she retired from the State of Michigan - Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, where she served as a Librarian. In this role, she touched countless lives through her passion for education, literacy, and community engagement.

Yvonne was a former member of the Order of Eastern Star, a community that meant a great deal to her over the years.

She will be remembered for her kindness, intelligence, strong work ethic, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends. Her warmth and generosity created lasting memories for all who knew her.

She is survived by her mother, Barbara Welcher of Battle Creek, MI; her stepfather, Bruce Welcher of Battle Creek, MI; two sisters, Karen Putman of Omaha, NE, and Cheryl (Joe) Cadden of Snohomish, WA; a stepbrother, Michael Welcher of Fort Wayne, IN; a stepsister, Dawn (Joe) Boyer of Plymouth, NH; cousins, Ruth Dadow of Marshall, MI, and Pat (Jackie) Tyers, of Oshkosh, WI; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carol “Gene” Rose, of Battle Creek, MI; her grandparents, Warren and Velma Hughes, and Edith (Lou) Schlorff, of Battle Creek, MI, her grandfather, George Rose, of Battle Creek, MI; and her aunts, Beverly (Chuck) Williams of Battle Creek, MI, and Cloella (Gaylord) Tyers of Winneconne, WI.

The family will receive friends 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 105 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017 where a celebration of her life will begin at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Chapter OES (Order of Eastern Star) of Michigan, 20411 W. 12 Mile Rd., Suite 108, Southfield, MI 48076 or Centrica Care Navigators Hospice, 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Yvonne may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.