Share

Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.

Share
Tweet
Share

  • Memorial:  7:30 p.m.  Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at Green Acres Retirement Living, Greenville

Sylvia A. VanderSchuur, age 94, of Greenville, passed away Monday afternoon, April 27, 2009 under the loving care of her family and Spectrum Health Hospice in her home at Green Acres Retirement Living.

The daughter of Oliver & Esther (Shimmel) Martin, she was born on Oct. 6, 1914 in Greenville. On February 1, 1933, in Angola, Indiana, she married Bernard VanderSchuur. Together, they owned Vans Wallpaper and Paint stores (now Jerrys Paint Store) in Greenville, Ionia, and Charlotte.

In addition to raising four children, Sylvia was an active volunteer with many community organizations. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Greenville, a Grey Lady at the former United Memorial Hospital, a member and past president of the Blue Star Mothers, as well as the Montcalm Home Economics Extension group where she prepared and served many meals to 4-Hers at the Montcalm Co. 4-H Fair.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard VanderSchuur, on Nov. 19, 1995; her parents; four brothers, Oliver, Robert, Donald, & Emery Martin; and three sisters, Norma VanWagner, Lela Rydahl, and Bernice Haight.

Surviving are four children, Ronald & Marge VanderSchuur of Meredith, New Hampshire, Sharon & Gerald Ritter of Stanton, Thomas & Elba VanderSchuur of Greenville, and J. Edward VanderSchuur of Greenville; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Edna & William Myers of Louisiana, and Eleanor Buckmaster of Greenville; a special niece, Margaret Koston of Greenville; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at Green Acres Retirement Living, 1601 Winter Creek Court, Greenville.  The Rev. Paul Dickson, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Greenville, will officiate.

Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place and final interment was in Rest Haven Memory Gardens, Belding.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to either the First Baptist Church or Spectrum Health Hospice.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Sylvias online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.christiansen-fh.com The Brown-Teman & Christiansen Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Greenville, was entrusted with the arrangements.


Share

Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.

Share
Tweet
Share

1 Condolence

  1. Anonymous on April 27, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Guestbook

    05/09/2009 –

    Ginger Gibson
    I am so sorry for your loss of you mother, grandmother…I know she had a wonderful life with all of you around her in the end times. My best to you all. Ginger

    04/30/2009 –

    Jeri Ritter
    Sylvia was a great grandma and a very sweet lady. We had so many great dinners that grandma put on and there was always lots of good food. Kristin, my daughter and Sylvia’s great-granddaughter provided grandma with her first GREAT-GREAT grandson, Ethan Michael.

    04/29/2009 –

    Tom and Mary Barnwell
    To all of Sylvia’s family,our condolances.My sister Nancy Barnwell help take care of Sylvia in Green Acres, and she would say how sweat she was and a joy to be around. No matter how old or young are Mother’s are when they pass, the pain is no less.You all are in our prayers! Take Care Tom Barnwell

    04/27/2009 –

    Penny Barber
    Sylvia was a very special Woman. We had alot of fun together we went on walks together,one of which I found $5.00 and my brother was walking with us and he tried to get me to split it with him! We enjoyed the holidays and special occasions together with her DELICIOUS MEALS! You could smell them as you walked to the front door. I enjoyed stopping in and having lunch with her,I never saw her house when it wasnt spotless. Sitting on her screened porch together. Visiting with her at her homes in Florida.She loved to play cards,took great pride in her home,and loved her family. She enjoyed Green Acres and the family she had there. We enjoyed attending the family dinners,openhouses etc. and Grandma had alot of family that came to them and we had alot of fun together! She was a special lady,a beautiful,hard working lady.She was surrounded by family in her final days..Sylvia was A Mom,Grandma,Great Grandma and Great,Great Grandma to Ethan. I am gona miss you Grandma…God Bless.

    | |



Leave a Condolence