Marie Jean Merritt

Marie Jean (Vellenga)  Merritt, age 75, of Grandville, fell asleep on Monday, November 2, 2015 and woke up in the arms of Jesus.  Marie was preceded in death by her brothers, Jay, Peter, and Joseph Vellenga.   She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Joseph; brother, Gerry Vellenga; sister, Patricia (Ken) Walcott; sisters-in-law, Lee Vellenga, Marilyn Vellenga, Lori Vellenga; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Patricia (Drew) Klofta; honorary children, Randy and Deb Vander Kooy; many nieces and nephews. Marie was a faithful elementary school teacher for 40 years at Cutlerville Christian School. She was always the first to arrive at school and the last to leave. She loved teaching her children their academics as well as the Word of God. She made her profession of faith at Lee St. CRC and has been a member since 1950. Funeral services will be held on Friday 11 am at Lee Street Christian Reformed Church, 1261 Lee St. SW, Wyoming with Rev. Kent Rottman officiating. Interment Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and on Friday from 10-11 am at church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Lee Street Christian Reformed Church or Faith Hospice Trillium Woods.