Obituary of Merlene Kay DeVries

Merlene Kay DeVries, age 86, of Alva, FL (formerly of Caledonia, MI) has gone home to be with her Lord Jesus on October 8, 2023. 

Merlene was born December 13, 1936 to Merle and Ruth (Holly) Shook in their home in Caledonia. She was the valedictorian of the Caledonia High School class of 1955. She was married to the love of her life, John J. DeVries on June 1, 1957. Merlene was an incredible mom and homemaker in addition to being an accomplished seamstress who loved to travel and entertain with dinners in their home. Merlene was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Ruth Shook and her daughter, Jill DeVries. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, John J. DeVries, her sister, Carol (Robert) Diefenbaker, two sons, John R. “Chip” (Melinda) DeVries, and Jeffrey (Nickilette) DeVries as well as her grandchildren, Jacob DeVries, Rachel (Craig) Brookes, Brittnie (Michael) Berger, Thaddeus (Madeline) DeVries, Nicholas DeVries, Kendall DeVries, and Noah Sazy. 8 great grandchildren, and her niece, Robin (Christopher) Murphy, and nephew Todd (Ann) Diefenbaker. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, FL or the American Heart Association.