Scott Daniel Koehler

Scott Daniel Koehler, age 67 of Kalamazoo, passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at the Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit.

Cremation has occurred and per his wishes the family will be remembering him privately.

Scott was born in Benton Harbor, MI on September 10, 1956, to the late Daniel F. and Bonnie K. (Wentland) Koehler. Scott enjoyed his childhood growing up on the family fruit farm in Eau Claire, MI. He enjoyed many hobbies including hiking, photography, sharing his knowledge of nature, and long-distance running.

Scott graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1974, and attended Lake Michigan College before transferring to the University of Washington where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He remained in Washington state doing forestry work before returning home to begin at McDonald’s Dairy in Benton Harbor. In 1984 he was hired as the Quality Control Supervisor at Welch’s, Inc. in Lawton. It was during this time that he, and his wife Laurie, began to operate their 40-acre fruit farm and selling their produce at both the Palos Park, and Oak Park farmers markets in Illinois. In 1991 he became the vice-president of Grower Relations at Great Lakes Concentrate in Paw Paw.

After his father’s retirement Scott took over the “Koehler Family Farms” and ran that operation until 2003 when he gave up farm life and moved to Kenosha, WI to work for Ocean Spray. In 2004 Scott moved to California when he accepted a position at Richmond Foods as the Milk Plant Supervisor. Scott returned from California to work for his sister at Iron Creek Organic Farms and assist in the care of their ailing mother, Bonnie K. Probst, who predeceased him on August 24, 2022.

Surviving are his son, Jordan (Sandra) Koehler, and his daughter, Rachel (Chad) Mars, and his former wife, Laurie (Gunderson) Koehler. Scott is further survived by his sister, Tamera (Patrick) Mark, and his nieces: Brittney Rigterink; Kaela (Chris) Cochran, and Aryn Rigterink: great-nephew Wallace Cochran, great-niece Maggie Rigterink, and his stepmother Sharon Koehler.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman, MI.