Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
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Mary Jean Hall

June 17, 1949 - July 14, 2018
Sand Lake, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, July 19, 2018
6:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, July 20, 2018
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Pierson Bible Church
101 Grand Street
Pierson, MI 49339
(616) 636-5542
Map

Service

Friday, July 20, 2018
11:00 AM EDT
Pierson Bible Church
101 Grand Street
Pierson, MI 49339
(616) 636-5542
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Equest Center For Therapeutic Riding
3777 Rector Ave NE
Rockford, MI 49341
(616) 866-3066
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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When reflecting on the life of Mary Jean Hall, it is easy to see the love she had for those around her. She was genuine, gracious, and attentive to the needs of others with a zest for life that was contagious, too. A loving wife and mother, Mary Jean took these roles to heart, but she just might have argued that nothing was better than becoming a grandmother later in life. Although she accomplished so much of which to be proud, she was a humble woman whose greatest joy was found in being with the ones she loved. Life will never be the same without Mary Jean here, but her family finds comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.

With the end of WWII in 1945, America was transitioning to being a nation at peace once again. Manufacturing was no longer needed to support the war effort, and rationing had become a thing of the past. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1949 when Mary Jean was born in Grand Haven, Michigan, on June 17th. When she was four, her biological parents decided to place her up for adoption as they wanted a better life for her than they could provide. Mary Jean then went to live with Wallace and Sarah (Bush) De Zwaan. The three made their home on 35th Street in Holland, Michigan. Wallace worked as a car salesman while Sarah worked at high-end women's clothing stores, Ruby's and Mira's of Holland.

In many ways Mary Jean was a typical young girl of the times. She was a daddy’s girl and always referred to him as daddy for the rest of her life. Her daddy was Mary Jean’s hero, and nothing was better than when they went fishing together. She danced with her daddy, often dancing the Charleston together. Mary Jean and her family were members at Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Holland, and many of their most precious family memories were made at their cottage. As a student she attended and graduated from Holland Christian Schools and then went on to graduate from beauty school.

There was never anything of greater importance in Mary Jean’s life than her loved ones. New and exciting changes were in store for her when she met and later married a barber named Ludwig Scholten. Together they were blessed with the births of three children, Shawnda in 1970, Brent in 1971, and Chad in 1972. The family made their home at 709 Gail Avenue in Holland. As a family they regularly camped at places like Saugatuck, Ottawa Beach, and Baldwin Oaks among other camping spots. As a family they spent a lot of time having adventures outdoors, and picking blueberries was a major family project. Over the years Mary Jean took Chad to several motorcycle (dirt bike) races all over Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. As a family they also enjoyed bowling.

Never one to be idle, Mary Jean did so many things to keep busy. She spent time working at various salons in the area including Country Barber, Colonial Acres, and Almanzo Salon, and she also did the hair of several family members and friends out of her house. In addition, Mary Jean started her own catering company out of her house that she later included her children in. She enjoyed playing the piano, both for family and at church, and she also crocheted things like blankets, stuffed animals, and gloves. For years Mary Jean took her creations to craft shows, but she ended up giving most of her things away to people who “liked” them. After learning from her daddy who kept a meticulous lawn, she developed a love for the outdoors and enjoyed looking after her extensive vegetable and flower gardens. Much of what she grew she also gave away. Mary Jean collected frogs of all kinds including ceramic and knitted among others. She also went on many mission trips to share the gospel of Christ in places like Australia, Africa, and Asia including to Nepal at the foot of Mt. Everest. Mary Jean also went to Russia and many other places on her mission trips.

Later in life, Mary Jean found love again with a man named Danny Hall whom she met in an online dating program in the late eighties just as these programs were getting started. They had their first date at a car show at the Muskegon fairgrounds near Ravenna. They didn't date long and were married on June 16, 1990, at the Ravenna Car Show among their family and friends. Danny brought his eight year old son, Christopher, into her life, and the three of them made their home on 21 Mile Road in Sand Lake. Mary Jean raised Chris as her own, and the two enjoyed a very special relationship. She and Dan also did a lot of camping and fishing at state and county parks, but their most memorable trip was when they traveled with a fifth wheel out West visiting national parks including the Grand Canyon.

As her family and friends can attest, Mary Jean loved like no one else. She was an important part of her grandchildren’s lives, and the memories they made together doing craft projects that came in all shapes and sizes are truly priceless. Mary Jean taught them how to cook and also shared her love of jewelry with them. She was an animal lover with a special place in her heart for all kinds of animals including dogs, cats, and horses. Mary Jean even hand fed her turkeys and also raised a pot belly pig named Julius Caesar Pig in her house!

All who knew Mary Jean Hall would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. Through her selfless acts, her life exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. Authentic and real, she drew others near with ease. Dearly loved, Mary Jean leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her friends and loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

HALL, Mary Jean

(formerly Mary Jean Scholten)

Sand Lake, MI

Age 69, passed away on July 14, 2018 into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with her family by her side. Mary Jean was born June 17, 1949 in Grand Haven. She was an active member of Pierson Bible Church. Mary Jean will be remembered for her zeal for Christ as she shared the good news on many mission trips, her love for the outdoors and gardening, and the joy she brought as she served others. On June 16, 1990, she married Danny Hall. Her husband of 28 years survives, as do her children, Shawnda (Dan) Brewer of Holland, Brent Scholten of Zeeland, Chad (Michelle) Scholten of West Olive; step son, Christopher (Carinn) Hall of Comstock Park; grandchildren, Bethany, Andrew, Ashley, Rebecca, Connor, Kyleigh, Trista, Hunter, Michaela, Dani, Leo; 2 great grandchildren; and uncle, Roger & Rose Bush of Holland. Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Sarah (Bush) De Zwaan; and her son in law, Paul Hutt. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 20 at 11 AM at Pierson Bible Church, 101 Grand St. Pierson, MI. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6-8:30 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW and at the church from 10-11 AM. Memorials may be made to Equest Center For Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Please visit Mary Jean's personal web page to read more of her life story, leave a message or condolence at www.lifestorynet.com.

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