Karen Jo (Pelkey) Hillegas, 49, formerly of St. Joseph, MI, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2009 in Lakeland, FL. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 22, 2009 at Zion United Church of Christ, 9100 Church St., Baroda, MI 49101 with Rev. Christopher Noffke officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Karen Jo was born on February 9, 1960 to Richard and Joan (Kronos) Pelkey in Benton Harbor, MI. She was legal secretary for many years. She married Steve Hillegas on March 19, 2005 on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. She lived in Lakeland, Florida for the past three years. Karen Jo loved billiards and NASCAR. She was an avid reader and adored her many animals. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her family. Karen Jo is survived by her loving husband, Steve; her children, Ryan & Audra, children Kristan and Don Bush, Ashlee Krukowski and Heather Hillegas; Her mother Joan Pelkey; Sisters, Connie (Ken) Conklin, Cheryl Pelkey, Lynn (Daryl) Schlender, Kim (David) Fritz, a Brother, Terry (Sharna) Pelkey; Sister-In-Laws, Sandy (Brent) Proffitt, and Susan (Stephen) Rimar; Nieces and Nephews, Karla, Ken, Aaron, Brett, Jared, Emily, Laura, Autumn, Meghan, Anna, Hubbell and Amy. She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Pelkey.