Barbara VanHeulen

Barbara Jean VanHeulen, age 81, of Kalamazoo, MI, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Norman; parents, Anthony and Lucille Crystal; brothers, Leon Crystal and Earl Crystal; sister, Betty Teft. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, David VanHeulen, Judy and Christopher Black, Daniel VanHeulen, Jan and John Thorn, Jill and Edwin Farnsworth; grandchildren, Shanel and John Sweeting, Amy and Michael Grandy, Andrew and Audrey Black, Abby and Andrew D'Addario, Marleigh Thorn, Leanne Thorn, Nathan Thorn, Julie and Noah Matthysse, Jared Farnsworth, Jennifer Farnsworth; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Leonard Crystal; sisters-in-law, Theresa Phillips, Kathleen Crystal; and many nieces and nephews. Barb loved being a wife, mom and grandma. She was a student of God's Word, a nature lover, a golfer, a volunteer, and an artist who expressed her creativity in many different ways. Barb had a passion for teaching, mentoring and volunteering at her Church, Bible Study Fellowship, Bronson Hospital, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Gull Lake Ministries, and hosting international college students and missionaries on furlough. She welcomed everyone and was a wonderful hostess. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 17, 11:00 am at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Interment Fort Custer National Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Friday from 4-7 pm and on Saturday from 10-11 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Faith Hospice, BSF International or Van Andel Institute Parkinson's Disease Research. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.