Caryl Jean DeLeeuw

Caryl Jean DeLeeuw (née Bailard) went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 1, 2023. She was 93 years old. Caryl was born July 10, 1930 in Grand Rapids, and lived her entire life in West Michigan. Caryl was a kind and compassionate person, a warm and loving mother and grandmother and a dear and dedicated friend who never failed to lend a helping hand. She loved to travel with her friend Jean and visit her children, grandchildren and relatives. Caryl was a longtime member of The Old Time Methodist Church in Alto where her father founded and led the church as pastor. Caryl played both the organ and piano at the church and was an integral part in the ongoing success of the ministry and its mission. She was a faithful believer in Christ who never hesitated to “walk the talk” every day. Caryl worked as a teller for Old Kent Bank for many years where she was a beloved and stable presence for the customers at the branch on Burton & Division.

Caryl was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Ken; daughter, Linda DeLeeuw Steinfort; brother, Royle Bailard; sisters, Carolyn Jane Bailard, Marguerite Stauffer and Eileen Flynn, and parents, Evah Bailard (née Baldwin) and James Bailard. Caryl leaves behind her son, Douglas (Amy) DeLeeuw of Newaygo, Michigan; daughter, Lisa DeLeeuw (Scott Clark) of Wildomar, California; grandchildren: Paul (Tina) DeLeeuw, Jill (Scott) Spaulding, Phylicia Ruso (Jacob O’Connor), Markus (Elizabeth) von Steinfort; eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, MI 49508. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday, November 3 from 4-7pm at the funeral home and an hour prior to the service on Saturday. A private interment will be held at a later date.