BETZLER
KALAMAZOO
BETZLER & THOMPSON
PAW PAW
FUNERAL HOMES

Kalamazoo Chapel
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009-2008
(616) 375-2900
fax (616) 375-3205

Paw Paw Chapel
60900 M-40
Paw Paw, MI 49079-9120
(616) 657-3870
fax (616) 657-4688

Thompson, Betzler Merge Their Two Funeral Homes

By Paul Garrod

PAW PAW - The merger of two area funeral service providers took place last week. On June 16, Betzler Funeral Home, Inc., 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, and Thompson and Hawley Funeral Home, 60900 M-40, Paw Paw, merged operations. Roy Betzler, president, who will oversee both operations said, "This merger will benefit both communities. As a locally owned family operated firm, we will be adding additional staff and offer an excellent value to those we serve." Betzler's son, Scott, will serve as the new manager of the Kalamazoo location,while Frank Thompson will continue as manager of the Paw Paw lo- cation. The elder Betzler added that unlike Other mergers where staff would be eliminated, additional staff will be added to the locations. One of those positions includes a fulltime advance planning counselor. Betzler said the position will "help people make decisions ahead of time." Thompson said, "By doing this, we'll be able to split up responsibilities. I'll be able to work with families more and continue community work." Thompson said the support group would also continue in cooperation with the Center for Growth and Change. Also added to the staff will be a continuing care person.   Betzler said, this fulltime position will work with be- reaved families. "This individual will Work with bereaved families and will follow up after the service for the next year," said Betzler Betzler said the individual will be able to assist the family with such issues as social security, veteran or emotional concerns. "It's something that's unique to this funeral home. It's one of the things that distinguishes uS in terms of the mission statement that we have," he added. Another segment recently added by the funeral home is a tribute  program which  is included in every service. Betzler said the program includes 15 photos set to video and audio background, and then compiled into a six minute tape. "We try to personalize the ceremony as much as we can. It's a tribute to that person's life," he said. Bruce Betzler, another son, added, (':The tape) evokes a lot of emotion." Thompson said, "Our ultimate goal is that the families that we serve Will be better served. People in this area will be well cared for." Bruce Betzler echoed similar sentiments stating, "We don't want to meet peoples' expectations, we want to exceed them." Both parties said the merger is the culmination of a personal and professional relationship that began in the mid-70s. Thompson said, "With the merger in place, I can concentrate on working with families. I am the fourth generation of my family to provide funeral services to these communities and look forward to continuing the tradition.   Both firms have a long heritage of serving their communities. The Kalamazoo location was originally founded in 1922 as Donovan Funeral Home and served families at 447 W. South St., in Kalamazoo. In 1975, Roy Betzler purchased the bus iness and in May of 1986, built a new facility on Stadium Drive. The Paw Paw location originally founded in Lawrence in 1877, is one of the oldest funeral establishments in Michigan. In 1991, three locations were consolidated into a new 7,000square-foot facility Both locations are barrier-free and offer exceptional facilities. ***** A pet crematory and burial service is now available to area residents. Owner Scott Betzler, a licensed funeral director, operates the business, Precious Pets,  at 2012 Portage Road, Kalamazoo. In operation for the past 1 1/2 years, Betzler said 200 families a month are served. "People comment often in the funeral home about the pet service," (available) said Bet- zler. Betzler Funeral Home President Roy Betzler said, "Often when a pet dies, it's just as traumatic.'' (as a human death) "It's a unique business," he said. The business is the only one of its kind in Southwestern Michigan. For more information, call 388-(PETS) 7387, or view them on the internet at www. preciouspet.com.

Pet Crematory
&
Burial Services

A guide to planning your pets cremation or burial

Scott W. Betzler
 Owner/Operator
 Licensed Funeral Director

 "Bailey"
Black Lab &
 Faithful Companion

Ownership
Precious Pets is owned and operated by Scott Betzler, a licensed funeral director in Kalamazoo, who has been caring for families since 1991. Scott has always been an animal lover. "Bailey," his black lab, has been with him since 1995 and was one of Scott's influences in starting Precious Pets. "I was concerned about what my options would be when she dies. My choices were few. I wanted "Bailey's" remains back and not just thrown away." Just like with humans, pet owners need to have choices and options for their pet.

Facility
 Precious Pets was designed and built to serve the needs of pet owners. The building offers special rooms for pet viewing, visitation and for services. A special pet crematory is located on the property. This is the only facility of its kind in southwest Michigan.

The death of your pet can be a traumatic experience, and of course, it is only natural to be saddened and grieve over the loss of your pet.

When your pet dies, you and your family should accept the need to grieve and to remember the unique relationship that each of you had with your pet.

Services Offered:

• Individual, private & mass cremations for all animals (from gerbils to Great Danes)
• Burial on private property or in a pet cemetery
• Home removals Mon.,Fri. 9am-5pm (24 hour services available)
• Vet / Clinic removals
• Viewing / Visitation / Services in our facility
• Urns, burial caskets, markers & memorials
• Option to witness the cremation process
• Advance planning available
• Free consultation (by appointment)
• Free cremation for service pets (leader dogs, police dogs...)
• Free pet bereavement support group "Farewell Friends"

"Individual Cremation"
Your pet will be cremated alone. You may witness the placement of the animal into the cremation chamber. Your pet's cremated remains will be returned back to the vet / clinic, held for the family to pick-up or shipped U.P.S.

"Private Cremation"
 Your pet will be cremated on a private tray with other pets in the retort (crematory). You will not be able to witness the cremation process. Your pet's cremated remains will be returned back to the vet/clinic, held for the family to pick-up or shipped U.P.S.

"Mass Cremation"
Your pet will be cremated with other pets. The cremated remains will then be disposed of in a sanitary landfill.

"Burial Services"
 Traditional burial can be arranged on private property or in a pet cemetery. We offer free consultation with one of our staff members. There are many choices and options for you and your family to select from.

Serving the
Greater Kalamazoo Area

Precious Pets, Inc.
 2012 Portage Road
 Kalamazoo, MI 49001
 (616) 388-PETS
 Fax (616) 388-8872

Remembering your pet's
 unconditional love

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