Edythe "Jerrie" Heath

All who knew Edythe “Jerrie” Heath would agree that she exemplified what selfless love truly is. Her never-ending devotion to her loved ones in ways both great and small was a testament to her unwavering faith. Jerrie’s strength and resilience were inspiring, and her smile was a gift to all who were near. Her door was always open, and the times when her whole family were together were among her most precious moments. Life will never be the same without Jerrie here, but the priceless memories she leaves behind will be forever cherished by all those she touched.

It was during the exciting decade of the Roaring Twenties that Austin and Eda Behrens were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Edythe Geraldine on October 4, 1925, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The youngest of three, her oldest sister was 14 years older than she was, and her brother was quite a bit older as well. Raised in the family home near Fulton and Mayfield, Jerrie started going to a Lutheran Church with her family and then to Wealthy Street Baptist Church with friends. Sadly, her mother died when Jerrie was only five. Her sister then stepped in to help for a few years. Jerrie did always consider herself to have had a good childhood. She did many of the things that young girls did during that time and was both independent and social. Many days her father gave Jerrie money to buy a can of soup for lunch, and she attended local schools. She once rode her bike all the way out to Grand Haven and swam across the channel, which she did get scolded about. Jerrie also worked at the Cherry Inn.

After graduating from Central High School Jerrie was eager for all that life had in store. She took some college classes, but when we became involved in WWII she worked in a factory that manufactured planes. After the war Jerrie couldn’t help but notice a handsome young man down the street. His name was Myron “Mike” Heath, and he had just returned from the service and bought a new car. She went to see it, and he offered her both a ride and then a date. Just a few months later, Jerrie and Mike were married on October 12, 1946, at Central Christian Church. The newlyweds then took a honeymoon to Texas that was timed in a way that allowed them to bring Mike’s sister home with them.

Once back home, they soon moved into their newly built home on Whitmore, NW, which would be where they lived for most of their lives. They also welcomed four children including Sue, Mickey, Bobby, and Carol into their hearts and home. Jerrie remained home caring for her family, which included caring for both boys who were born with cerebral palsy. Although this was a lot of work for both she and Mike, they were both steadfast in their caregiving. Jerrie always said that the Lord provided her with the children she had prayed for and considered it a blessing to care for them for so long. She and Mike provided round the clock care for about 50 years including several times throughout the night as one of them was with the boys at all times. They had a routine that worked, however, and Jerrie kept the family on a schedule. As a family they were even able to do some camping at times.

Life in the Heath home was always a bustle of activity. She had several family members nearby so there were always extra kids around. They had a pool for many years, and she enjoyed letting her kids or the neighbor kids cool off in the days before air conditioning. Jerrie did “get away” on her walks, often one in the morning and one in the evening. She usually had homemade bread in the house or chocolate chip cookies, and among the other favorites were her homemade mac-n-cheese, rice crispy treats, banana split pie, and fruit cocktail cake. Jerrie loved having people over, especially family, and although every day was an open invitation Sundays and holidays often included a picnic or a potluck. They frequently went for car rides just to get out of the house, and Grand Haven was a favorite destination for ice cream. When grandchildren came along their gatherings simply grew larger, and Jerrie loved watching them along with her boys. Jerrie got right down on the floor and played with them. In addition to caring for her home and family she was active in the PTO. Even if she wasn’t able to attend the monthly potlucks she helped plan and organize them.

Throughout her life Jerrie was always busy. Her faith was vitally important to her, and they were members at Leonard Heights Baptist Church for years. Many of Jerrie’s friends were from her church. She faithfully read her Bible, and she also kept a diary for many years. Jerrie enjoyed sewing and knitting, making many mittens with stripes, and she also quilted. She even gave blankets to each grandchild and great-grandchild as well as to others within her church. During Mike’s retirement years they were able to travel more and went across the country with the boys. Even though others may have looked at her life and thought it was a lot of work, Jerrie considered it a blessing to love and care for her family. She was known to say, “God gave me a smile, and I wake up every morning and put it on.”

Jerrie treasured each and every moment that her entire family was together. Her sons each passed away in the late nineties, and when Mike got sick she tenderly cared for him until his death in 2006. Jerrie stayed busy and continued to welcome family to her home. She also liked going out walking, to water aerobics, and to Pop’s Restaurant five days a week with friends as she loved their burgers and breakfasts. Jerrie kept a journal on her porch to let those who stopped by know where she was and when she would be back home. When her church closed, she started attending Berlin Baptist Church with her daughters. In February of 2020, Jerrie moved to Stonebridge Manor. Although it was hard for her to leave her home, Jerrie did enjoy it there. She loved that her family came to visit almost every day, and she also regularly went out for car rides.

A humble and faithful servant of the Lord she loved, Edythe "Jerrie" Heath touched the lives of countless others throughout her rich and rewarding life. She was the rock of her family and passed on the greatest gift to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — a legacy of faith, selfless compassion, and unconditional love. Jerrie will be forever missed.

Edythe “Jerrie” Heath, age 96 of Grand Rapids, entered into the presence of God, joining her husband, Myron “Mike”; her sons Mickey and Bobby; son-in-law Herb Hunt; brother, Walter Behrens; and sister, Marion Freehafer.

Jerrie is survived by her daughters Sue Hunt and Carol (Tom) Hulswit; grandchildren (and great-grandchildren Nicole & Chris Pierson (Alexis, Reese and Adrianna), Laura & Jeremy Huizenga (Brody, Taylor and Avery), Ryan & Sandra Hunt (Ryleigh and Sadie), Jake Hulswit and fiancé Lyndsay Taylor (Bretyn); and nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service will be held on FRIDAY, December 10 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Visitation will be on WEDNESDAY from 6-8 PM and on Friday beginning at 10 AM. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. To read more about Jerrie, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com