Florence Lilah Post

On October 20, 2020, Florence Lilah (Schut) Post went to be in even closer communion with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Florence was preceded in death by her four siblings, and is survived by her high school sweetheart, best friend and beloved husband, Bill (William) Post. Also left to cherish her memory are her children, Dan (Jackie) Post, Rachel (John) DeYoung, and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she adored: Angie Terry (Alex & Erica), Adam (Amanda) Post (Asher, Lilah & Rowan), John (Rhonda) DeYoung (Kate & Jenna) and David (Jenny) DeYoung (Will, Wyatt, & Whitney). Her four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren were Mom’s absolute joy; seeing them made her eyes sparkle right to the end of her life.

As a wife, mom and grandma, Florence was extraordinarily gifted in the arts of homemaking, as best described in Proverbs 31, vs. 25-31. Mom was an accomplished seamstress making clothing for herself, children and grandchildren as well as several quilts. She preserved every fruit in its season and always made her own bread, rolls and baked goods. Any friend that was sick for more than a couple of days received Mom’s cure-all: a generous portion of homemade chicken soup.

Mom’s hands were kept busy with knitting, cross-stitch or needlepoint, and even weaving her own rugs on her loom. But her greatest gift was hospitality. It was her passion in life to share what she and Dad had been given, and her favorite method was to have guests for meals, weekends or longer. She would entertain a Knight from England with the same ease as a new neighbor or a visitor brought home from church. On more than one occasion Mom and Dad opened their home for months at a time to people who had no home. Mom would always gladly do without for herself, to fill the needs of another. Her daily time of Bible reading and prayer inspired her sweet spirit and gentle manner. Florence Post, our dear wife, mom, grandma, and superb example, helped people feel the love of God through her home and hospitality. She rarely talked about what she was going to do; she was too busy doing.

A quote by William Henry Channing best describes Mom’s philosophy of life: “To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babies and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never, in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common – this is my symphony.”

As a family, we rejoice in her 93 wonderful years with us, in 72 years of love and marriage, and in her glorious home-going.

A private family service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming with Rev. Steve Armfield officiating. Burial at Cascade Township Cemetery. Those who wish may make contributions to the Gideons International, where Florence was an active auxiliary member for over 50 years. The address is: Gideons International, P.O. Box 7472, Grand Rapids, MI 49510.