Karan L. (Jolley) Arbogast

Karan L. Arbogast, 69, of East Leroy, Michigan passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, Michigan after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born on March 16, 1953 to Belford "Ross" and Joyce (Demun) Jolley in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas in 1972 after spending much of her youth in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Right after graduation Karan enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1974. Karan was in the first all-women’s Company in the U.S. Navy.

Karan received an Associate’s Degree from KCC in 1984. She retired from the Battle Creek VA Medical Center in the Dietetics Department after 20 + years of service.

Karan loved all things outdoors especially hunting, fishing, camping and her flower garden. She greatly enjoyed fishing with her father Ross whenever she got the chance. Karan along with her family, raised and bred Labrador Retrievers, Schnauzer’s and Shar Pei dogs for many years. Her granddaughters were a tremendous source of joy, they always cheered her up. Karan attended First Wesleyan Church in Battle Creek for many years prior to her illness. While Karan was in the Navy, she was united in marriage to Garry Arbogast in 1973 and after her Honorable Discharge, they made their home in East Leroy. The union ended in divorce in 1995.

Karan is survived by her two sons, Travis Arbogast of East Leroy, Michigan and Jason Arbogast of Kalamazoo, Michigan; her three granddaughters, Autumn, Paige and Grace; her two sisters, Kathy (Phil) Pruitt of Tyler, Texas and, Kenda (David) Bartholomew of Tyler, Texas; and a special aunt “Sistie” in California.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A graveside memorial service with full military honors will take place on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave. SW Battle Creek, Michigan 49015. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.