Kathlyn Mae Williams

Kathlyn Mae Williams, age 75, passed away peacefully at her home in Elkhart on January 8, 2026. Kathlyn was born December 27, 1950, in Three Rivers, Michigan, to the late Bernard and Faye (Platz) Van Ness. She was a graduate of Constantine High School, Class of 1969.

Kathlyn’s love for nursing began as a teenager when she worked as a Candy Stripe Nurse. She later earned her associate degree in nursing from Glen Oaks Community College and went on to serve her community with dedication and compassion. She worked at Borgess Medical Center in Dowagiac, the Niles hospital, and later at Elkhart General Hospital in the blood bank, where she remained until her retirement in 2006.

Family was always first in Kathlyn’s life. She loved being a mom and a grandma and was deeply involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She supported her grandchildren in all of their sports and school events and was a steady, encouraging presence. Many of her children’s friends considered Kathlyn a second mom, a role she embraced with pride and love.

Kathlyn enjoyed shopping and spending time on the beach in Florida, where she soaked in the sun, sand, and palm trees she loved so much. She believed in dressing her best every day and enjoyed having her hair and nails done. In her quieter moments, she loved playing cards and games with friends, watching Ren and Stimpy cartoons, and listening to Bret Michaels music. One of her favorite memories was attending a Bret Michaels concert in South Bend.

She is survived by her children, Rachelle (Erik Cook) Williams of Osceola, Chad (Cami) Williams of Byron Center, Michigan, and Krista White of Elkhart. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Aaron (Taylor) Wells, Jenna “Jullian” (Alex) Jones, Nolan Williams, and Reese Williams. She is further survived by her siblings, Georgia (Bruce) Kline of Schoolcraft, Michigan, and Sam (Stephanie) Van Ness of Three Rivers, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her sister, Angelyn Wright.

A celebration of Kathlyn’s life will be held at a later date. Cruz Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service has been entrusted with her care.

To light a virtual candle, share a story of Kathlyn’s life, or leave a message of comfort for her family, please follow the links provided on the guestbook tab above.

Disclaimer: All obituaries published by Cruz Family Funeral Home are the intellectual property of Cruz Family Funeral Home. They may not be copied, edited, altered, reproduced, or scraped for use on any other website or platform without explicit written permission. Unauthorized use, duplication, or modification of any obituary content is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.