Kathryn Bilberry

On April 19, 2024, surrounded by her family, Kathryn Mari Bilberry breathed her last breath on this side of eternity and opened her eyes to see her Lord and Savior. A memorial service for Kathryn, 38, of Hudsonville, Michigan, will be held on Monday, April 29, at 3 p.m. at Chapel Pointe Church, 3350 Baldwin St., Hudsonville, with Pastor Nathan Lorick and Pastor Joel Wayne officiating. Kathryn will be laid to rest in her hometown of Whitehouse, Texas. She will be buried on Sunday, May 5, under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.

First and foremost, Kathryn loved Jesus with a pure heart and complete faith. She was a devoted wife, caring mother, loving daughter, cherished sister and a genuine friend to so many. If you knew Kathryn, your life was better because of her. Her passion for the Word of God caused her to live differently. Her purity and passion would sharpen you, but you always knew she would be in your corner to support you. She lived a life full of adventures and laughter. She radiated joy and truly exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Kathryn was born on November 4, 1985, in Tyler, Texas, to Paul and Martha Bitter and completed their family. Kathryn was a 2004 graduate of Whitehouse High School and attended The University of Texas at Tyler. She’s used her talents serving in various churches and ministries for the past 20 years, and most recently served as a program director for Chapel Pointe Church in Hudsonville, Michigan, alongside her husband, Luke. Kathryn loved people well and helped lead so many to Jesus.

She and her devoted husband, Luke, were high school sweethearts and their relationship was fueled by true joy and a passion to worship their Savior. After dating for several years, Luke proposed in August of 2006 and they were married on September 1, 2007. They welcomed their beautiful daughter, Madelyn Kate, into the world on September 24, 2009, and after providing a loving and Christ-filled home for numerous foster children over several years, they adopted their son, Noah Luke, as an infant on June 24, 2016. On July 18, 2017, they welcomed their son Wyatt Paul into the world, and on January 31, 2023, they completed their family as they celebrated the arrival of Henry Barrett. Kathryn’s greatest joy in life was her precious family.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her grandmother, Henrietta McAfee; father, Paul Bitter; and father-in-law, Shorty Bilberry. Kathryn leaves behind her loving husband of 16 years, Luke; daughter, Madelyn; sons, Noah, Wyatt, and Henry; mother, Martha Bitter; brother, Jarrod Bitter (Marlo Thompson); sister, Rachel Bitter; mother-in-law, Glenna Bilberry; sister-in-law, Kenda Leavine (Michael); nieces, Emily and Allison Bitter; and nephew, James Leavine; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, from 4-6 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. An additional visitation will be held on Monday from 2-2:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, do something that Kathryn loved to do, spread the good news about Jesus and advance the Kingdom of God, surprise someone with a random act of kindness, buy someone fresh flowers.

Service Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noYmSLenn24