Nedene Bearss

Nedene Joy (Gillette) Bearss, 78, formerly of Shelby, currently of Stony Lake and Hudsonville, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2016 with her family by her side.  We take comfort in the fact that she is reunited with our father, her best friend and husband, Terry Bryan Bearss, in heaven. Our mother found her greatest joys in her family.  She celebrated our accomplishments with pride and commiserated short-fallings with encouragement.  She comforted our outrage at life’s injustices, felt our sorrows and shared our tears. She believed love and laughter were the most important parts of life. She was born April 27, 1938, in Fremont, the daughter of Ned and Luella Gillette. She married her high school sweetheart, Terry Bearss, July 20, 1957 and remained by his side until his death January 23, 2002. She served her community by working for Shelby Public Schools, keeping books for the Village of Shelby, and was even deputized by the Shelby Village Police. She was also co-owner and bookkeeper of Phillips Refrigeration and Great Lakes Ice. In 1990, she and dad made the choice to leave Shelby and moved to Jenison to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Mom and Dad attended all of our athletic events, missing only when our events overlapped in which case Mom would attend one event while Dad attended the other. After our graduations, she could still be found in the bleachers at athletic events either in Shelby or in Zeeland supporting the teams now coached by her son. She filled our lives with experiences and ideas taught through vacations, summers at the cottage on Stony Lake, and many trips around our country and to Disney World.  She lived, always loving her family and friends with acceptance and without judgment. She is survived by her children Kari and Randy Lohman of Jenison and their children, Andy, Jason and his wife Katherine, and Trevor and his fiancé Makayla; Steve and Lori Bearss and their children, Jordan and his wife Dani and his son Jackson, and Kaylee; and Lori Bearss and Heather Gardner and their children, Briar and Lila. She loved greatly and was greatly loved. A memorial service for Nedene will be held on Wednesday, September 14, at 11 AM at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW with Rev. Matthew Palsrok officiating.  Interment Benona Township Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 5-8 PM at the funeral home.