Mary "Jane" Michaels

Mary Jane Michaels was a strong willed woman who lived her life by being an example of a caring mother and grandmother, devoted friend and faithful Christian. Although she had many friends through her church activities, Jane always remained family oriented. She cherished her family with all of her heart, caring for them in times of need and celebrating with them in times of joy.

The year 1917 fell right near the end of World War I, and although the war was on everyone's mind, Charles and Maude (Sherwin) Williams were focusing on a special blessing in their lives, the birth of the daughter, Mary Jane, on September 15, 1917. Jane, as she was called, was born at home in Sand Lake, Michigan, and was welcomed into the family by her older sister Zona and brother Doug. Jane enjoyed her childhood, growing up in Sand Lake, where she filled her summers with fishing and swimming in nearby Bass Lake. Her mother was a schoolteacher for many of the rural one-room schoolhouses in the area, which meant she often times was away from home during the week and home on the weekends. This left her father with the responsibility of caring for the children as well as work as a handyman. He was also a self-taught electrician and because of this they had the first home in Sand Lake to have electricity. Likewise, they were one of the first families to own a car too. Jane graduated from Sand Lake High School.

During high school Jane met a young man named Ralph Michaels, who was a few years older than her. His parents had moved to Sand Lake and when he wasn't working as a truck driver for Kroger, he was at his parents' house. The young couple soon fell in love and eloped in 1935. After marrying, the newlyweds moved near Cadillac, since it was close to Ralph's work. It was here they started their own family with the birth of their daughter, Mary Lou. Some time later, the family of three moved to Grand Rapids, which is where they grew to a family of five with the births of Robert and Ardella. Jane was a traditional homemaker, cooking and cleaning, and raising their three children. She was absolutely committed to her husband and children, to making sure everyone was taken care of. Since Ralph worked at night and slept during the day, most of the child rearing was left to Jane. However, time together as a family was always very important, so weekends were mainly for the family to have fun. They were always taking weekend trips, visiting relatives in nearby towns or going to the Upper Peninsula to see Jane's brother. If by chance they didn't go away for the entire weekend, then they would go for a Sunday drive and find a place off the beaten path where Ralph could fish and the kids ran around in nearby fields while Jane relaxed with a good book or knitted. Summertime fun also consisted of camping and regular weekend trips to the beach.

Shortly after moving to Grand Rapids, Ralph and Jane bought a house on Richmond NW with lots of land, and spent many years here as a family. Ralph had always wanted to open a nursery, and so on their many acres, they planted trees and shrubs and flowers of all kinds. The couple ran "Michaels Nursery" right out of their home. Ralph headed up the landscape crew while Jane tended to the flowers and specialized in creating beautiful arrangements for cemetery urns. Since Ralph still drove for Kroger, Jane was the one who usually ran the business during the day. At times, the kids would also help out in the business. In later years, they sold some of their property, on which now stands West Catholic High School.

In the whirlwind of life's busyness, Jane and Ralph always took time on the weekends for family. As the kids got older, they began spending time on their boat on Half Moon Lake and later built a cottage on Upper Lake, just a few miles west of where Jane grew up on Sand Lake. Many great memories were made at the cottage virtually every weekend in the summer. There was a standing invitation on Sundays for the whole family to come to the cottage - dinner was always at one and there was enough food to feed an army. For Jane, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. She relished her role as a grandmother and adored every one of her grandchildren. She loved to spend time with them and often took them to the cottage with her. Throughout her life, Jane remained close to her parents and after her mother passed away, she and her siblings helped to take care of her father. Jane was also busy with her church family. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church, where she volunteered in many activities. Her faith was always very precious to her and she felt that the best way for her to share her faith was through her actions and her example.

After Ralph took early retirement, the couple began spending their winters at their place in Florida for about six years. Then, Ralph suffered a stroke, which left him in need of extra care. Jane lovingly became his primary caregiver until his needs became too much for her. He was then moved to a care facility where she faithfully visited him every day until he died eight years later. Unfortunately, in the meantime, Jane's health also began to wane and although reluctant, she moved to Coventry Woods and over time came to enjoy being there. Always active and helping others, Jane began driving other residents around town to where they needed to go. She also enjoyed a number of vacations with family and friends and often said, "I would have never thought I would ever get to go to _____!" As her health needs continued to grow, Jane moved to several facilities, but her last few months were spent at Pilgrim Manor. She suffered with many heart problems in the last few years, but she always found the strength to persevere.

Jane had a generous spirit and loved to give of her time and talents. She was full of hospitality and love and selflessly shared it with everyone around her. Jane was very creative and artistic minded. She loved to knit and over the years made countless number of booties and hats for the local hospital. Amazingly, she did this without using a pattern but soon had to come up with one when the hospital asked for the pattern to give to people who wanted it. Jane also possessed a sharp mind and good memory, which contributed to her being well organized and orderly. She could look at something artistically and know exactly how it was made and go home and do it herself. Whether it was knitting or floral arranging, Jane simply loved crafting and creating. In addition, Jane enjoyed playing the piano, reading novels or the Bible, but above all else, spent time with her family and friends, whom she loved and cherished. She will be deeply missed.

Mary Jane Michaels, age 88, of Grand Rapids, MI. On December 26, 2005, the Lord wrapped his arms around our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Mrs. Michaels was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, and her siblings, Zona Helms and Doug Williams. She is survived by her children: Mary Lou and Dalton Kolehouse of Florida, Bob and Elaine Michaels of Jenison and Ardella and Frank Holshoe of Ada; grandchildren: Cheri and Steve Moerman, Mary Beth and Rick Klooster, Dalton (Edward) Kolehouse, Jodie Marlink, Rob and Amanda Michaels, Dawn and John Awrey, Frank and Darcy Holshoe; as well as many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate Jane's life will be held on Friday, December 30, at 11 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 2600 7th St. NW. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with her family on Thursday, December 29, from 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory, order flowers or for those who wish, make a memorial contribution to either the American Heart Association or Faith United Methodist Church.