Jennifer Lynn Casarez

Jennifer Lynn Casarez, age 46 of Hastings, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2021. Jennifer was born on September 28, 1975, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Jeffery Van Aman and Melinda (Schultz) Shepler.

Jennifer was a 1994 graduate of Hastings High School and received her Associates in Applied Science in Nursing from Kellogg Community College in 1998. On October 25, 1997, Jennifer married Wesley Casarez, and they shared 24 years together.

Most recently Jennifer worked as a registered nurse with Barry Eaton District Health Department. To say she was dedicated to the care of others would be an understatement. Jennifer devoted the last two years helping the community fight the pandemic.

Jennifer loved her family deeply. She spent every possible moment with her husband and children.

Every part of Christmas made this her favorite time of the year. Preparing for Christmas involved decorating the inside and outside of the house with special pieces and ornaments she'd collected over the years. They represented the various stages of her life from her childhood to the present. During the holidays she loved cooking food unique to the season and meaningful to her family. It was all about giving to her family. Jennifer poured her heart into finding the best gifts which might take from January through December.

Jennifer also enjoyed craft shows and shopping. As with many parents, her interests became what her children were involved in. This included competitive dance, various sports, choir, and 4-H. Jennifer became a 4-H leader and served Barry County for well over a decade. Watching her children grow was the thing that made her happiest.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her father Jeffery Van Aman, grandparents Cloyd and Jean Van Aman and John and Barb Schultz.

She is survived by her husband Wes Casarez, children Emily, Makayla, and Holly Casarez, parents Dan and Mindy Shepler, in-laws Robert and Denise Casarez, and Paul and Sue Apodaca, sister Stacy (Brian) Van Damm, brother Steve (Kari) Shepler, sisters-in-law Sara and Becky Casarez, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jennifer can be made to the Jennifer Casarez Children's Fund at Thornapple Credit Union, PO Box 289; Hastings, MI 49058.

Visitation to be held at Girrbach Funeral Home at 4:30pm on Friday 1/21/22 with a blessing and Rosary to follow at 6:00pm.  Funeral services to be held at Green Street United Methodist Church at 11:00am on Saturday 1/22/22, preceded by a visitation at 10:00am.  The service will be livestreamed at https://fb.watch/aHUF4aNnFL/

Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.