Mary Ellen VanderMeulen

VanderMeulen, Mary Ellen, Kalamazoo Passed away June 3, 2011, she was born, Mary Ellen Dawson, August 17, 1926 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and united in marriage with Kenneth VanderMeulen on August 24, 1947. Mary attended State High then earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1948 at Western Michigan University, majoring in English with minors in Art and French. Mary began her career teaching in Ellsworth High School, later moved to Niles, MI where she also taught. About that time, Mary set full-time teaching aside to raise her family of six children. Mary remained active as a substitute teacher when the family lived in Hinsdale, IL. Eventually Mary returned to teaching in the adult education department of the Kalamazoo schools. Mary and Ken moved in 1992 to Paw Paw after Ken's retirement from Western Michigan University. There they enjoyed a quiet life gardening, reading and bird-watching, but they took special pleasure in visits by children and grand-children. Mary's literary interests were eclectic but she usually kept a book of poetry at hand. While a resident of Kalamazoo, Mary was active in the Westwood United Methodist Church, including teaching Sunday school for many years. After moving to PawPaw, Mary was very active in the Paw Paw United Methodist Church. Throughout the years, she was also a hard-working participant in both United Methodist Women and Church Women United. In 1988, Church Women United honored Mary with its Valiant Woman Award Mary was preceded in death by Ken on February 15, 2005, and by their daughter, Kathryn on May 15, 1970. Mary is survived by her sons, Nicholas (Shin) of Tokyo, Japan; Joseph (Bronwyn) of Maple City; Thomas (Sarah) of Ypsilanti; Matthew (Karen) of Vicksburg; and daughter Sarah (Bruce) Gillum of Kalamazoo; and six grandchildren; Ian, Laura, Alexander, Coleman, Katherine, and Mitchell. Mary is also survived by siblings Lawrence R. Dawson, Mount Pleasant; Patricia Boekeloo, Kalamazoo; Dorothy Mejeur, Kalamazoo; and Henry B. Dawson, Battle Creek. Memorial Service to be held on Sunday, June 12 at 3:00pm at Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 2946; (269)-344-7165 with light refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Church Women United of Kalamazoo; 6689 Pamela Court; Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or to the charity of your choice. To share memories or condolences on-line: www.avinkcremation.com