Lucile Van Riper

Lucile Elizabeth Van Riper passed away the evening of October 28, 2019, at The Inn at Freedom Village, Holland, MI. She was born August 11, 1924, the middle child of Elizabeth and Chester Hayward of Muskegon, Michigan. Her parents preceded her in death.

Lucy let no moss grow under her feet during her 95+ years. She was born in Muskegon and moved to Fremont, Michigan during her childhood. She graduated Fremont High School in 1941 and took a job at Consumer Power in Muskegon that same summer. In 1945, she married Robert H. Van Riper of Muskegon (who preceded her in death in 1989). During their 44-year marriage, they lived in Muskegon, Saginaw, Livonia, Southfield, Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Grand Haven, Michigan. In 1961, Lucy gave birth to her only child, daughter Lori Ann Van Riper, who resides in Ann Arbor with her husband Mark Weaver. Lucy was also blessed with two wonderful grandchildren - Meg Weaver of Chicago and Ben Weaver of Ann Arbor.

Lucy was very proud to have served as a Grey Lady in hospitals in the 1940’s and to support those who fought in WWII. She held many and various jobs over the years which included model, homemaker, secretary, switchboard operator, buyer, receptionist, hostess, and clerk, for several Michigan credit unions, Chelsea Community Hospital, Big Boy Restaurants, the Chelsea Hardware, and Freedom Village in Holland. She finally “retired” at age 80 from Freedom Village so she could devote more time to volunteer work in senior centers, local historical societies, Holland hospital, Hospice, and VFW.

Lucy had 2 brothers, the older Richard Hayward (Imogene) of Mesa, Arizona and the younger Floyd Hayward (Wilma) of Fremont, Michigan. Her brothers preceded her in death. She also had two sisters-in-law (Mary Margaret Griffis (Russell) of Fruitport, MI and Janice Smith (Charles) of Walhalla, MI), both of whom preceded her in death. She has 14 nieces and nephews as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins and second cousins.

Lucy loved travelling in her later years with special cousins Donna Bauman of Manistee and Diane Wilbrandt (deceased), as well as numerous friends. She was also an animal-lover (especially dogs and cats) and loved to talk about her grandchildren.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services. Cremation has taken place. If you wish to donate in Lucy’s memory, she suggested the Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105; First Congregational Church, 121 E. Middle St., Chelsea, MI 48118; or Kindred Hospice, 625 Kenmoor Ave. Suite 115, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Homes – Downtown Chapel. To sign an on-line registry or leave a memory please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com