Obituary

Remembering 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

Service Information

Visitation and Funeral Details

Visitation

Monday, April 29 · 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Location

Chapel Pointe

3350 Baldwin St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426

Funeral Service

Monday, April 29 · 3:00pm

Location

Chapel Pointe

3350 Baldwin St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426

Guestbook

Tribute Messages

Leave Your Tribute
I met Kathryn on pastor and pastors wives trip to Israel. My husband and I renewed our vows on the Sea of Galilee and she so kindly woke earlier before our long day of sightseeing and took pictures for us! I will forever cherish those pictures and her kindness! Praying for your family and for all the days ahead; continued peace, continued strength, Time to process, time to enjoy each other, and time to just be (no matter what that looks like). What a testament of Gods goodness in the midst of such heartbreak. Well done, Kathryn! What a legacy you have left behind. ❤️

— Jaclyn Horine

Kathryn's tender sweetness will never be forgotten. What a light to the world!

— Liz Reeves

A mutual friend of ours shared Kathryn’s story with me and asked me to be in prayer, as I fight cancer myself. I have been praying almost every single day for her, and will continue to pray for her family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss, the positive impact she has made on everyone is very evident.

— Emily

Why God would choose to take this beautiful soul when she was leading such a wonderful devoted life I have so many reservations...not to mention her children and husband. RIP devoted lady!

— Daniel R Hearn

Kathryn was the first person that welcomed me into Chapel Pointe in August of 2020. I had just graduated from undergrad, was starting my masters program and yearning for a church family to call home. I messaged chapel pointe on Facebook and heard back from Kathryn that same day! She invited me to come to the church and show me around so I would know where to go my first day. Every time after that when I saw her at church she was always stopping and asking how my life was going! She shunned the love of Christ so whole heartedly in all that she did!

— Ashleigh Walter

She was a light in the darkness.

— Chrissy Guillot

Luke, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember meeting Kathryn at her wedding shower in Whitehouse and I know she was a wonderful woman. You and your sweet family are in my prayers.

— Connie Bullock

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