- Date Of Birth: June 6, 1941
- Date Of Death: March 30, 2018
- State: Michigan
On March 30, 2018, Bernice Joan Nagelkirk of Kalamazoo, Michigan went joyfully to Heaven. Bea was a Christian educator with deep faith and a life-long love of learning. She began her teaching career in Muskegon at West Michigan Christian Schools where she taught 4th and 6th grades and junior high English. In 1979, she became a junior high English teacher in the Kalamazoo Christian Schools where she served until her retirement. Bea was an excellent teacher, believing all children would learn if teachers inspired self-esteem, discipline, and pride. Her craftsmanship was publicly recognized in 1991, 1996, and 1997 with KVISD Excellence in Education awards.
Bea was born in Chicago, IL, the daughter of John and Gert Schipper. She attained a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Calvin College where she met her trumpet player, Robert Nagelkirk. Bob and Bea married in 1963 and spent 48 years together laughing, taking road trips, and spending annual vacations at the cottage in Lake City, Michigan.
Bea enjoyed many activities. Her faith led her to serve in many roles in her Christian Reformed home churches including deacon, lay reader, and mentor. She was a lover of word games, books, and puzzles. She enjoyed in-depth conversations, color tours, antiques, and visiting her grandchildren.
Bea was preceded in death by her husband. Their family includes three children: Susan (Bill) Roth; Patricia Nagelkirk (Gerard Dehner, Jr.); Paul (Stephanie) Nagelkirk; six grandchildren: Christopher Roth (deceased), Calyn (Adam) Autry, Selena (Stephen) Ingram, and Dustin Roth, Jack and Ella Nagelkirk; and one great-granddaughter, Selah Autry. Bea has two brothers, Kenneth (Elaine) Schipper and Allen (Ann) Schipper, and in-laws Jerry (Evelyn) Nagelkirk (both deceased) and Nancy (Glenn) Gelderloos. She will be missed by extended family in multiple states and many friends from Westwood Christian Reformed Church.
