Melvin Woolf

06/11/1937 - 08/05/2025

Melvin Woolf, age 88, a life-long Richland/Kalamazoo resident, passed away on August 5th at Kauhale Memory Care, in Otsego. He was born in 1937 to Clark and Mildred Woolf in Pullman, Michigan. Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Woolf, and his oldest son, Clark Woolf. Melvin graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and was President of Woolf Excavating for several decades. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen (David) Woodhouse and Karen (Timothy) Tippman; his daughter in law, Penny Woolf; and his son, Ken (Jennifer) Woolf. He leaves behind grandchildren: Jennifer Biron, Amanda Cusack, Andrew Woolf, Alex Woolf, Macy Woolf, Emily Woolf, Michael Woodhouse and Patti Woodhouse; many great-grandchildren; and special family member Ali Chiong.
Melvin cherished playing cards and aggravation with his family and friends and it got pretty loud at times.
Melvin loved tending his many flower gardens and hosting pool parties. He liked to say "it's too cold to work so let's go ice fishing." He was an avid hunter and his home was filled with his many trophies. He and MaryLou lived in Arizona during many winters, where he fine-tuned his prized Native American artifact collection. While at Kauhale he enjoyed his very special time playing bingo with his great-grandson Erik.
A memorial service will be held at Gull Lake United Methodist Church, 8640 Gull Road, Richland, on Thursday, August 21st, at 11 a.m. Following the service, a memorial luncheon will be held at Woolf Excavating at 2829 Cambridge Avenue in Kalamazoo. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.