Kenneth John Capman

At the age of 61, Kenneth John Capman laid down arms on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, and allowed himself to surrender his five and a half year war against advancing cancer at his home in Kalamazoo, MI.

John arrived in this world on September 9, 1964. He was raised on a farm in Marshall, MI by Janet Kay (Armstrong) Capman (1937-1996) and Richard Maxen Capman (1929-2011), along with two half-siblings. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1982, and from Kellogg Community College Police Academy in 1984, during which he interned with Michigan State Police and Galesburg Police Department. In the following years, John served as a Deputy Sheriff at the Beaver Island Substation for Charlevoix County, and a police officer/investigator for Barry Township. At the same time, John served in the US Army Reserve 303d MP Company connected to the Army Chemical Corp.

His passion for the performing arts, particularly storytelling with magic illusions, was ignited at the age of 8, fostered by his Aunt Zenna who first took him to Abbott’s Magic Get Together. He started performing shows by the age of 13 and continued semi-professionally throughout his police and military careers. Approximately 1991, John turned to the performing arts full time. During his artistic career he wrote, produced and/or performed a broad range of theatrical entertainments, including stand up comedy, emcee gigs, fashion shows, poetry slams, seances, interactive murder mysteries, haunted house attractions, and almost every type of magic performance that exists from corporate audiences, intergenerational family shows to more adult paranormal/spooky fare. He formally retired from performing after Michigan Magic Day 2023 held by I.B.M. NEIL FOSTER RING 89, of which he was a member. He continued to coach and encourage the next generation of performers until his final days.

John is immediately survived by his wife, Susan Kay Moerdyk, and his feline companions Shepurrrd Book and Karma. John is also survived by all those that benefited from his protection in the line of duty or have been entertained and/or transformed in some way as a result of his performance arts.

Private visitation was held in John’s home. John’s funeral ritual and broken wand ceremony will take place at Grand Magic Theater, 130 E. State Street, Colon, MI, on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 2pm with interment to immediately follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Colon MI. All are welcome.