Barbara Vande Werken

Barbara A. Vande Werken, age 76, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2016 in Kalamazoo. She was born on May 28, 1939 in Grand Rapids, MI, the daughter of Ernest and Bertha (Carpenter) Wilder. Barbara was an elementary school teacher with the Kalamazoo Public Schools for 39 1/2 years before retiring in 2001. She was a very active member of Oakwood Bible Church and enjoyed visiting and participating in many events at the Portage Senior Center. Barbara also enjoyed quilting and participated in the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters and the Paradise Quilters. On August 24, 1962 Barbara married William "Bill" Vande Werken who preceded her in death on July 5, 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Charles Wilder. Surviving are a daughter, Wendy and Greg Newhouse of Kalamazoo; two granddaughters, Meaghan and Hannah Newhouse; a sister-in-law, Wilma DeVries; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Wednesday, May 25th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. Services will be held 11:00 Thursday morning at Oakwood Bible Church, 4100 Oakland Drive, with Pastor Stephen Johnson officiating. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Memorials may be directed to the Memorial Fund of Oakwood Bible Church. Please visit Barbara's personalized web page for directions, online guest book or to leave a condolence.