Jacqueline Dinda

Jacqueline M. Dinda, age 87, of Schoolcraft, MI passed away Friday evening, July 29, 2016 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. She was born August 1, 1928, in Orangeville, the daughter of Orlo and Nettie (Faas) Smith. She graduated from Woodland High School and earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Western Michigan University. Her teaching career began in Hastings and Brethren with most of her over 35 years at Schoolcraft Schools where she continued to volunteer for almost two decades after her retirement. Jackie was active in the Schoolcraft Ladies Library, Alpha Delta Kappa (Gamma Zeta Chapter), and as a 4-H leader. She enjoyed needle crafts, knitting, crocheting and quilting and serving her Lord as an active member of Zion Lutheran Church. On October 15, 1949, she was joined in marriage to the love of her life, Keith E. Dinda, who preceded her in death in 2014 after 65 years of joyful life together. Jackie is survived by her children, Julia (Kelly) Weston, Karl (Tricia) Dinda, Janis Dinda, Kristin (Rick) VanCleave, son-in-law Sam (Deb) Glascock, daughter-in-law Tonya Dinda; ten grandchildren, Katherine (Jeremy) Case, Gregg (Nikki) Dinda, Jessica Weston, Leah (Kris) Wells, James (Mary) Dinda, Mikeal VanCleave, Marcus (Lacey) VanCleave, Steven (Laina) Glascock, Kristopher (Brittany) VanCleave, and Grace Dinda; sixteen great-grandchildren, Julian and Kameron Case, Danae and Alissa Langan, Claire and Addisyn Dinda, Alexander, Emma and Ashlyn Wells, Devon Fouse, Gabreilla Dinda, Gage VanCleave, Avery Glascock, Tristan, Bryce and Jackson VanCleave; three great-grandsons, Bentley , Kolten and Jayce Langan; brothers John Smith and Jack (Betty) Smith; sister Judy (Doug) MacKenzie; brother-in-law Martin Hrebenar; hundreds of nieces and nephews; grandchildren of the heart, the Darling Girls; twelve exchange students who called her mom; and thousands of students whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her husband Keith; daughter Karen Glascock, granddaughters, Tiffany, Michelle and Suzanne VanCleave, sisters and brother, Betty, Lynnette, and Jim. A service to celebrate Jackie's life will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, August 6, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd, with Rev. Timothy W. Seeber officiating. Friends may meet the family on Saturday prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in Schoolcraft Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. Arrangements were entrusted to Langelands Family Funeral Homes.