Betty Jane VanAlstine's Obituary
Big Rapids - Betty Jane VanAlstine, 92, long-time Grant Center resident, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2016 at her residence. She was born to Edward and Margaret (Leuchars) VanAlstine on December 30, 1923. On November 15, 1939, she married Milton VanAlstine at the home of the Justice of the Peace in Grant Twp., Mecosta County. They were married 62 years at the time of his death in 2001. Betty went to work at Linten's Department store in 1958 until 1963. While working there she was asked by the probate judge to come to work for him, and she worked under five judges during her career as Probate Register in Mecosta County. After retirement she was elected to the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners. Betty received several distinguished community awards, including the Mecosta County Liberty Bell Award. Betty was a life time member of the Grant Center United Methodist Church. The past several years she attended the Reed City United Methodist Church. Betty cherished all of her relatives, friends, and acquaintances, old and new. Anyone knowing Betty for more than five minutes knew of her love for people and music. Surviving are Betty and Milton's four children: Lola Jean Callaghan, Ruth Ann (Don) Hinkle, Leslie (Concetta D'Agostino) VanAlstine and Patricia (Thane Hess) Glazier; eleven grandchildren, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Keefer, Jake Callaghan, Jeb Callaghan, Debbie Short, Todd Csernai, Jenny Lowe, Leslie VanAlstine II, Joseph Christmas, Chad Glazier, Rebecca Glazier, along with their spouses; and twenty great grandchildren. Also, surviving is one sister, Katherine (Fred) Martin of Arizona. Betty is preceded by her parents, husband, four brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Grant Center United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kathryn Caderette officiating. Burial will follow in the Grant Center Cemetery. Betty's family will great friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and after 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Grant Center United Methodist Church, or to the Betty VanAlstine Katherine Martin Nursing Scholarship Fund (administered through the Reed City United Methodist Church), with envelopes available at the funeral home.
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