Jean Brinkhuis, of Martin, died Saturday, Jan. 19. She was 95.
A longtime resident of the community she loved, she touched the lives of so many others.
She was born in December 1923 to Cornelius and Nellie (VerHage) Wittingen in Beaver Dam, Mich., the third of five children as she was joined in her family by her older brothers, James and Harvey, and her younger siblings, Caroline and Richard. Jean’s parents were farmers.
She married Floyd Brinkhuis on Oct. 2, 1951. Together they bought the farm where Floyd was working. Together they welcomed three children including Gary, Mary, and Carla into their hearts and home. The couple also had a cottage at Gun Lake.
During World War II, she worked at Chris Craft, and later for Howard Miller. When her kids were younger she was hired at Boysen Market in Martin where she remained for several years until retiring in 1998.
She had been a member of Martin Reformed Church since 1951. She had a garden for years, and she canned and froze everything imaginable.
Surviving her are her three children: Gary (Pat) Brinkhuis, of Martin; Mary (Gary) Teal, of Washington, MI; Carla (Tim) Eichler, of Martin; six grandchildren: Joe (Andrea) Brinkhuis, Jeff (Jen) Brinkhuis , Sara (Anthony) Cocco, Dane (Tiffany) Teal, Adam (Jackie) Dussia, and Aubrey (Casey) Richie; 11 great grandchildren: Calli, Addison, Easton, Reid, Adley, Chloe, Lydia, Davis, Logan, Jackson, and Jace; siblings: Caroline Heidema, of Holland.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband Floyd in 1987; three brothers: James Hop, Harvey Wittingen, and Richard Wittingen.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Home, Marshall-Gren Chapel, 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Martin Reformed Church. Jean will be buried at the East Martin Cemetery.
Those who wish may make contributions to the Martin Reformed Church Building Fund.
