Martha J. Vanengen

Martha J. Van Engen, age 81, of Grand Rapids, MI, formerly Kissimmee, FL, went to be with her Lord and Savior and to join with her husband and parents on Sunday, December 16, 2018.

Martha was born July 2, 1937 in Kendallville, IN, the only child of John and Evelyn (Morr) Gersee.  She attended schools in Detroit, Rome City and Albion, IN, graduating 1954 from Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, FL.  She also attended Mound Park School of Nursing in St. Petersburg, FL and Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC.

Martha moved from Florida to Hastings in 1956.  She married Richard (Dick) Van Engen on February 21, 1958.  He preceded her in death on September 22, 1992, one week prior to moving to Florida.

In 1957 at the age of twenty, Martha was named Deputy County Clerk of Barry County, resigning after her marriage to raise a family. She was employed with the Hastings Area Schools for over twelve years, employed for seven years as a Legal Secretary with Attorney David H. Tripp, retiring in 1989.  After moving back to Florida in 1993, Martha worked six years for LB International, as Assistant to the President, retiring again in 2000.

She attended Kentwood Community Church and was involved in the Oasis service.   A past member and part of the Welcome and Worship Teams at Cornerstone Church in St. Cloud, FL.  Also a past member of the Hastings Area Secretarial Association, Hastings Community Chorus and Nashville Baptist Church.

Martha enjoyed visits with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was also an avid reader.

She is survived by her daughter,  Evelyn K. (Evie) and Rev. Don Roscoe of Nashville, MI, three sons, Richard II (Rick) and Janet Van Engen, Dr. Robert (Rob) and Tuesday Van Engen, Randall (Randy) and Shelly Van Engen.  Nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 4-5 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 5:00 pm.  Pastor Don Roscoe officiating.  Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Hastings, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,  Grace Community Church or Kentwood Community Church.