Karen L. Maples

Karen L. Maples, age 84 of Spring Lake, Michigan, passed away to heaven on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, following a seven-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She is the daughter of Richard and Margaret Schneider, and was a life-long resident of Muskegon and Spring Lake.

Karen was employed at the Muskegon Chronicle as a sales associate for many years. There are so many positive and wonderful memories the family and countless friends will carry forward as we grieve and celebrate Karen’s life. Karen loved life and cherished her family and friends. She made everyone in her orbit feel better about life through every interaction. Her smile was infectious, and she set an excellent example for doing the right things in all aspects of life for her children.

Karen is survived by her children: Maury (Karen) Fredricks, Laurice (Jim) VanTol, Brent (Amy) Fredricks, Brian (Vanessa) Fredricks; daughter-in-law, Tracy Fredricks; and step-children, Kimberly Black and Brian Maples. She is also survived by her dear sister, Norma Reynolds; and brothers, Dennis (Lena) Schneider and Randy (Nicki) Schneider; grandchildren: Benjamin (Mish Kennedy) Fredricks, Louis (Victoria) Fredricks, Samuel (Bri Watson) Fredricks, Sandi (Evan) Boonenberg, Courtney (Joey) Flater, Ali (Eric) Ferber, Conor (Delanie Paris) Fredricks, Tucker (Erin) VanTol, Lei Lei VanTol, Patrick (Amber) Fredricks, Cassandra Fredricks, Zach (Hazley) and Nick (Hannah) Fredricks, Job Savage, in addition to many great-grandchildren.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bruce; her first husband, Herman Benjamin; grandson, Scottie Fredricks; her second husband, Richard Maples, brother-in-law, Dave Reynolds; and her son, Bruce Fredricks (2023).

Visitation will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., with the Funeral Service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Muskegon (2577 Wickham Dr., Muskegon, MI 49441).

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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