Michelle Jean Eckman Gest, 51, passed away on December 6, 2025, in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born in Kalamazoo on February 26, 1974. She was married to, and divorced from, Robert Gest, Sturgis, Michigan. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, who will be remembered for her love of animals, especially her cats Tubby,Tater, and Cal. She was beautiful and intelligent, with a BS from Michigan State University and also earned an online MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. She worked in several laboratory positions at The Upjohn Company, MPI, Lovelace Research Institute (Albuquerque, NM), LeeSar (Fort Myers, FL), and KalSec. 

She is survived by her parents, James Eckman and Dorothy Eckman-Seymour (Larry), her brother, Matthew Eckman, three nephews, Rayce, Kyle, and Brayden Eckman, a niece, Sydney Eckman Lugar (Nick), several aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.