Arleigh Schoonover

Some people find their greatest rewards in their professions, their passions, or their pastimes. Arleigh Schoonover was a woman whose life revolved around her family, the chain of stars in her personal constellation. They guided her life, and brightened her days, the source of her greatest pride and joy. Arleigh was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, whose life shines on in them today.

Arleigh’s story began on a cool spring day in 1918, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were difficult times in this country, as the terrible battles of World War I continued to rage on overseas, touching every American family here at home. Yet amid those dark days, Henry and Madge (Tippe) Briske found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Arleigh.

Arleigh was the couple’s only child, and lived a typical childhood for the times. She came of age during the Great Depression, which were such difficult days for so many in this country, her family included.

Arleigh attended a local elementary school, before heading off to Union High School. There she met a handsome young classmate named Gordon Schoonover, and they soon began dating. He was a year younger than she was, and after they both had graduated from high school, they were married, on June 26, 1937.

The newlyweds bought a nice home on Lincoln Street NW in Grand Rapids, which was located on the same block as her parents. Arleigh began attending nursing school, where she eventually earned her certification after graduating.

When the dark skies of World War II approached our shores in 1941, the young couple was soon separated. Gordon was drafted into the Army, and soon found himself serving overseas in New Guinea. When the war ended and he was discharged, Gordon re-enlisted full-time in the Army National Guard, which provided well for them over the years.

Arleigh was quite content to become a homemaker, and loved being so close to her mother, whom she spent so much time with. Soon the daughter would become a mother, as well. Arleigh and Gordon adopted a little boy named James when he was eight years old, who brought so much love and light into their lives.

After Arleigh’s mother sadly died in 1951, the family moved into her home just down the street, the home she was raised in, the home she raised her son in, and where she would live most of her life. Arleigh dedicated her life to caring for her family and her home, and it was a beautiful, beloved place for her. She and Gordon loved to entertain there, and enjoyed having visitors.

The family did much together, from James’ Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts the family was active in, to their wonderful summers they spent at their cabin on Round Lake in Sparta. It was a very rustic place, with no running water or electricity, using only oil lamps and a generator to pump water, but it was a beloved haven, all the same. They’d pile in the car and head up there every Memorial Day, and stay until Labor Day, spending their days fishing, boating, and spending time together. As the years went by, the cabin became a beloved getaway for their growing family, including Arleigh’s grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, too, and is still in the family today.

After Gordon retired from the National Guard in 1978, Arleigh and her husband began to travel extensively. The couple visited all 50 states, went on several incredible cruises, and even took trips to Europe, too.

Arleigh enjoyed quiet times at home, too. She loved to read, especially the newspaper, her magazines or Reader’s Digest. She also enjoyed crocheting her beautiful Afghans, with her beloved cat curled up in her lap. Arleigh was animal lover, and the family always had dogs and cats, from her canine companions Joy and Babbett, to her feline friend Mr. Ed.

Most of all, she loved spending time with her wonderful family, and seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brightened her days.

The couple moved around a bit in their later years, first to Lincoln Square Apartments, then Bayberry Apartments, the Villa Maria Apartments, Porter Hills, and finally, Fountain View Assisted Living in Coopersville.

Arleigh’s beloved Gordon suffered some health problems later in life, and he died on July 17, 2007, at the age of 88. Arleigh was understandably deeply affected, after 70 wonderful years of marriage and even more as a couple. Her health began to decline shortly afterward, and she suffered from congestive heart failure and entered hospice care. Sadly, she died at her Fountain View home on Thursday, November 8, 2007, just past midnight.

Some people find their greatest happiness in their professions, or their pastimes. Arleigh always found it in the family she loved more than anything. She was a dedicated daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a friend to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Gordon Schoonover in July of 2007. She is survived by her son, James Schoonover; her grandchildren, Carolyn (Mark) Meyers, Thomas (Debra) Schoonover, Patty (Tim) Foster, Michael Schoonover, Kimberly (Jeremy) Jolicoeur; 7 great grandchildren and many friends. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday morning at 11:00 am at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. NW. Burial in Pine Plains Cemetery, Big Rapids, MI. Relatives and friends are invited to meet her family at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00-5:00 PM and on Monday from 10:00 AM until the service begins. To read more about Arleigh’s life, to leave your own memory of her and to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com