Ben Betterley, age 39 passed away unexpectedly July 18, 2017 at his home in Mattawan Michigan. He was born in Kalamazoo Michigan on May 13, 1978.
In 1996 he graduated from Mattawan High School and enlisted into the United States Marine Corps.
While in the Marines he did two tours in Iraq. The first deployment was during the invasion of Bagdad and the second deployment was the Battle of Fallujah.
Growing up Ben enjoyed many years of competitive shooting in the North-South Skirmish Association. He won several National Individual medals, including “Young Skirmisher” at age 15, Distinguished Shooter in Carbine and Musket, the Felker award for the highest musket aggregate at 186-3x, held the national record at 99-1x for musket, he also won with his A team the carbine and musket team events two times each.
He is survived by his wife Angel (Jankowiak) and two stepsons Zachary and Brett, her parents Bill Jankowiak and stepmother Deb, and her mother Beth Hamm. Her sister Tina (Mark) Clemons, brother Bill Jankowiak Jr. (Melissa), Bonnie Jankowiak and stepsister Bekah Bennett. He is also survived by his mother Donalyn (Walters) Betterley and father Perry Betterley, Stepmother Loralie (Tracy) Betterley, Step brothers Matthew (Kristen) Claerhout, Kevin (Dawn) Claerhout, Todd (Amy) Claerhout, several Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is scheduled for Saturday July 22, 2017 at the Westwood United Methodist Church at 538 Nichols Rd., Kalamazoo, Michigan
A private Graveside service will be held at Ft. Custer on 7/28/2017 at 10:30am where the family and fellow Marines will be able to say their finally goodbyes.
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