Karen Cecilia Castillo

Karen C. Castillo, age 80, of Rudyard, Michigan, died February 20, 2019 at her home. She was born May 30, 1938 in Wayne, Michigan to Wynman “Smokie” Abel and Alice (Zeilman) Schirmer. Karen grew up in Southern Michigan and graduated from Belleville Public Schools. After school she married Jim Searles Sr. and they made their home in California, Maine, and Michigan where he was deployed with the U.S. Navy. They raised four children. Jim died of cancer in 1962. She later married Romy Castillo in 1964 and together they raised two more daughters. While Romy was in the U.S. Coast Guard, they lived in Maine, Massachusetts, Philippines, and Michigan. She owned and operated a gift shop and restaurant called Odds & Ends in Rudyard. After retiring, they eventually settled in Rudyard where they made their home. Karen was the Rudyard Township Clerk for one year and a member of the Rudyard Lions Club. She enjoyed cooking, baking, loved her flower gardens, and getting together with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Karen is survived by her children, Jim Searles of Tampa, Florida, Lee Ann Vigilotti of Flint, Michigan, Mark (Sheila) Searles of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Rosalinda (Dale) MacDowell of Rudyard, and Zyra Castillo of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandchildren, DeeDee Searles, Kelly Canaday Searles, April Vigilotti, Matthew Searles Jr., Christina Searles, Heather Searles, Trinity Searles, Jonathan Searles, Richard Searles, Amanda MacDowell, Billy Gregg, Jason Gregg, and Kasey Gregg; and great grandchildren, Dakota, Jenna, Jada, October, Matthew III, Kaylea, Roman, Katani, Kaden, McKenna, Robin, Aiden, Dylan, Meia, Dominic, Seth, Brooke, Dalton, and Dawson. She is also survived by two sisters, Marlene Heebsh of Pickney, Michigan, and Elissa Abel Locke of Romulus, Michigan; brothers-in-law, Bert (Precy) Castillo, Danny (Gergoria) Castillo, Noel (Emma) Castillo, and Mario (Jhen) Castillo; one sister-in-law, Annie (Philip) Torrea; and many nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; son, Matthew Searles Sr.; son-in-law, Larry Vigilotti; brothers-in-law, Bill Heebsh and Joe Castillo; and sister-in-law, Magdalena Castillo Cabalagna. A Memorial Gathering will be held on May 4, 2019 from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Pickford Township Hall, in Pickford Michigan. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Karen Cecilia Castillo

May 30, 1938 - February 20, 2019