Dolores I. Buffenbarger, 86, of Plainwell, passed away surrounded by her family, Thursday, March 22, 2018, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. She was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Plainwell the daughter of Wendell and Irene (Kelso) Stephenson.
For more than 30 years Dolores was the secretary to the superintendent of Plainwell Community Schools until her retirement in 1996.
In her spare time, she enjoyed doing crosswords puzzles, reading historic novels, following sports, watching old movies, visiting with her friends, working with the election committees and area blood drives and making her famous potato soup for the Christian Neighbors soup suppers.
Dolores was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Plainwell.
On Sept. 8, 1951, in Plainwell, she married Phillip Buffenbarger who passed away in 2005.
Surviving are her children, Sue Needham-Wood (Terry Wood) of Kalamazoo, Stephen (Terri) Buffenbarger of Plainwell and Martin (Carolyn) Buffenbarger of Texas; seven grandchildren, Matthew Needham, Erica Needham-Rausch, Megan (Nick) Salazar, Molly (Nathan Root) Buffenbarger, Bryce (Elyse) Buffenbarger, Kelsey (Drew) Zahn-Melton and Forrest Buffenbarger; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son-in-law Stan Needham; brother Robert Stephenson; along with many aunts and cousins.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place.
A celebration of Dolores’ life will be Sunday, April 15, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the United Methodist Church of Plainwell in the Fellowship Hall.
Contributions in memory of Dolores may be made to Christian Neighbors. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
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