Dorothy Jean VerMeulen
February 25, 1927 –
Dorothy VerMeulen
Dorothy Jean (Prestage) VerMeulen, age 88, died peacefully at Hospice House in Sun City Center, Fla., on Monday, October 5, 2015, with her daughter at her side.
Born February 25, 1927, to James G. Prestage and Lulu Vern (Buck) in Allegan, Mich., she was the 10th child in a close-knit family of 11 children. Her mother died when Dorothy was 10 years old, and she was raised by her sister Geraldine and husband Lawrence McKinnon.
On June 16, 1948, she married Wilfred VerMeulen. Together they lived in Kalamazoo, Tulsa, Charlotte, Lake Norman, N.C., and Kings Point. They were a devoted couple, her energetic, outgoing personality complemented by his reserved, easygoing one, until Will’s passing in 1996. Dorothy remained in Sun City Center, where she enjoyed her many friends, golfing, water aerobics, entertaining and international travel.
She will be remembered by her five children for her love of family gatherings, happily cooking for a crowd during holidays and while camping at the beach with family and friends. She was loved by and loved her eight grandchildren: Amanda, Emily, Sam, Anna, Brian, Daina, Max and Rick.
Survivors include older sister Lee Healy (98) of Portland, Ore.; sons David (Martha) of Boston, Steven (Deborah) of Gastonia, N.C., Phil (Wendy) of Brentwood, Tenn., Kenneth (Dawn) of Tustin, CA.; and daughter Cathy Weinstein (Robert) of Westlake Village, Calif. Her family will always be grateful for the time spent with her in June this year at our VerMeulen Family Reunion in Florida. Her niece, Julie Holtom, was a great friend and comfort to her as Dorothy’s health declined. Her many nieces and nephews who lived across the United States remembered her often with cards and phone calls.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 W. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, where she was a member. She will be cremated and laid to rest by her husband’s side in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo. Those who wish may send donations in her name to Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Ray Watson Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. A Life Tribute page can be accessed at <a href="http://www.zipperersfuneralhome.com/obituaries" target="_blank">www.zipperersfuneralhome.com/obituaries</a>.
Dorothy Jean (Prestage) VerMeulen, age 88, died peacefully at Hospice House in Sun City Center, Fla., on Monday, October 5, 2015, with her daughter at her side.
Born February 25, 1927, to James G. Prestage and Lulu Vern (Buck) in Allegan, Mich., she was the 10th child in a close-knit family of 11 children. Her mother died when Dorothy was 10 years old, and she was raised by her sister Geraldine and husband Lawrence McKinnon.
On June 16, 1948, she married Wilfred VerMeulen. Together they lived in Kalamazoo, Tulsa, Charlotte, Lake Norman, N.C., and Kings Point. They were a devoted couple, her energetic, outgoing personality complemented by his reserved, easygoing one, until Will’s passing in 1996. Dorothy remained in Sun City Center, where she enjoyed her many friends, golfing, water aerobics, entertaining and international travel.
She will be remembered by her five children for her love of family gatherings, happily cooking for a crowd during holidays and while camping at the beach with family and friends. She was loved by and loved her eight grandchildren: Amanda, Emily, Sam, Anna, Brian, Daina, Max and Rick.
Survivors include older sister Lee Healy (98) of Portland, Ore.; sons David (Martha) of Boston, Steven (Deborah) of Gastonia, N.C., Phil (Wendy) of Brentwood, Tenn., Kenneth (Dawn) of Tustin, CA.; and daughter Cathy Weinstein (Robert) of Westlake Village, Calif. Her family will always be grateful for the time spent with her in June this year at our VerMeulen Family Reunion in Florida. Her niece, Julie Holtom, was a great friend and comfort to her as Dorothy’s health declined. Her many nieces and nephews who lived across the United States remembered her often with cards and phone calls.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 W. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, where she was a member. She will be cremated and laid to rest by her husband’s side in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo. Those who wish may send donations in her name to Sun City Center Emergency Squad, 720 Ray Watson Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. A Life Tribute page can be accessed at <a href="http://www.zipperersfuneralhome.com/obituaries" target="_blank">www.zipperersfuneralhome.com/obituaries</a>.