Inez Lorraine Bitely

Inez Lorraine (Good) Bitely, 94, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton.

She was born November 10, 1930, in a little house north of Lawton, Michigan, the daughter of Lawrence Good and Irene (Silvernail) Good.

When Inez was six years old, she began her education at the Durkee District, a one room school with grades 1st through 6th. From there, she attended Lawton Middle and High School. Inez went to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Western Michigan University and graduated from Nazareth College with a Major in Nursing and a Minor in psychology. She was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau sorority.

Inez began working at Lakeview Community Hospital in Paw Paw as a nurse. After working as a nurse for many years, she taught Nursing at Southwestern Michigan College for 26 years. She also spent 36 years with the Red Cross as a Disaster Nurse.

Inez was a talented poetry writer and has published three poetry books, "Kindlewood I, II, & III". She also was a gifted quilter and gardener. Inez enjoyed traveling, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

She was a devout Christian and a longtime member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Lawton. She spent countless hours volunteering and helping out with church services and events. She was a member of the St. Paul's Widow's Group and the East Van Buren County Seniors.

On June 27, 1948, she married the Donald Bitely, who preceded her in passing in 2003. After Don's death, Inez lived at Miller Court in Paw Paw until 2023, when she moved to White Oaks in Lawton.

She is survived by her four sons, Nathan (Deb), Fred (Caroline), Conrad (Kim) and James (Leslie); eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Inez was preceded in passing by her parents, husband, Don, and siblings, Lawrence, Al, Joseph, Betty and Beatrice.

In accordance with Inez's wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 63855 M-40 Highway, Lawton. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Ashlei Horn and Pastor Patti Haas officiating. There will be a luncheon following services at the church. Inez will be laid to rest at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lawton.

Memorial contributions in memory of Inez may be directed to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 63855 M-40 Highway, Lawton, MI 49065, or to Transitions Hospice, 555 W. Crosstown Parkway, Suite #100, Kalamazoo, MI 49008.