Janet DeJong

Janet DeJong Shade, age 88, died Thursday, March 9, 2006, at Raybrook Manor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Janet was born on February 9, 1918, to Martin DeJong and Lena VanderSchaaf DeJong near Peoria, Iowa. She grew up in Pella, Iowa, where she attended Pella Christian schools. She went on to receive a teacher's training and taught at both elementary and high schools in Peoria and Pella. In 1947 she married James A. Shade and moved with him to Springfield, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Their son, James Martin, was born in 1949. Janet and her husband Jim were very much involved in the establishment of Delaware County Christian School, where their son received his primary and secondary education. They moved to Pella upon Jim's retirement in 1980. Jim died in 1984. Janet moved to Grand Rapids in 1998 to be near her son, his wife Marsha, and their three sons. She became a member of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church while in Grand Rapids. She loved music and was an accomplished, self-taught pianist and organist, but her faith and her family were most important in her life. Like her husband Jim, she was a friend to all who knew her. Janet is survived by her son, Jim and his wife, Marsha; her grandsons, Jason, Mike, and Paul; and many members of the DeJong and VanderSchaaf families. According to her wishes, burial and a memorial service have taken place in Iowa. A memorial service will be held locally on Thursday, March 23, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 514 Eastern Avenue SE, Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to Delaware County Christian School.