Betty Heilman

Betty June Heilman, born to Bert and Helen (Kooistra) Vander Haar on February 20, 1949, was welcomed to her eternal home and embraced by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 9, 2024. Her greatest blessing, for which she prayed, was that her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, future generations of grandchildren, relatives and friends would always put their trust in Jesus Christ and ask for his guidance in their lives.

Betty is the beloved wife of Del Heilman; the beloved mom and grandma of Heidi June (Heilman) and Kyle Norcutt (Henry, Helen, Joseph), Ryan Del and Cindy Heilman (Lucas, Nadine, Sara), Bridget June (Heilman) and Brent Lynema (Austin, Vienna, Jacob, Gabe, Noah, Levi, Isaiah), Betty June (Heilman) and Tom Hysong (Drew, Bryce, Cole, Sophia), and Thomas Del Heilman. Betty is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Greta (Vander Haar) and Sherwin Heyboer; brothers, Bert, George, Pete and Frank Vander Haar; and many, many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Helen (Kooistra) Vander Haar; parents-in-law, Bert and Frances (Hollemans) Heilman; sister and brother-in-law, Helen (Vander Haar) and Gerry Heilman; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn (Vander Haar) and Frank Grimm; brothers, Peter Vander Haar and Billy Vander Haar; sisters-in-law, Sharon Vander Haar and Judy Vander Haar.

A little history to connect with friends and acquaintances: Betty was born in Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. She lived on Burlingame Avenue between 28th Street and Porter Street. Betty was a member of Grandville Avenue Christian Reformed Church, attended South West Christian Elementary and Junior High School from 1954 to 1964. She also attended Calvin Christian High School (now Grandville Calvin Christian) from 1964 to graduation in 1967 and Calvin University from 1967 to graduation in 1971 with a K-12 teaching degree in physical education and the sciences and history. She always said she loved teaching physical education as her work was play due to her love for sports. 

Sidenote from Del: The best day of my life was when I married my wonderful wife, Betty, on March 18, 1971. My brother, Gerry, and I married sisters, Helen and Betty. 

Betty student taught at Ceder Springs High School in the spring of 1971. She taught at Big Rapids Middle School from 1971 to 1974 while Del attended Ferris State University (Accounting and Education degrees) and they attended Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in Big Rapids, MI, during that same period. They lived in Ada, MI, from 1975 to 1977 attending Ada Christian Reformed Church. They moved to Wyoming, MI, in 1977 attending Ivanrest Christian Reformed Church from that time until the present. Betty taught at Forest Hills Central Middle School from 1975 to 1978. She was a stay-at-home mom from 1978 to 1985. She then taught at Grandville Christian School from 1986 to 2007.

Betty loved sports and was active in several organizations. She played various sports in middle school, high school and college. Betty was captain of her volleyball team and played field hockey at Calvin University. She played one year of Senior Olympics volleyball and played competitive recreation volleyball until she was 70 years old. She coached junior and senior high volleyball teams at various schools. She also played softball for Ivanrest CRC at the CRC Recreation Center and Wyoming Parks and Recreation.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Sunday, December 15, 2024, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 16, at Ivanrest Church, 3777 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49418 with Pastor Brandon Haan officiating. A private family burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery, 6921 28th Ave., Hudsonville, MI 49426. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Grandville Calvin Christian Schools.