Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Homes - Addison, Hudson and Onsted Michigan

David L. Van Hemert
Owner - Director
David was born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1932. He lived his early life in Muskegon. He graduated from Muskegon High School in 1950.

He attended Muskegon Community College directly from high school until his transfer to Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated in 1954 and became licensed shortly afterwards both in the State of Michigan and Nationally. He married Barbara A. French, of Muskegon Heights, in 1953.

"As a young boy I admired a local funeral director that operated a funeral home in our neighborhood." Stated Dave. "I wanted to be just like him." Dave eventually worked for a funeral home in Muskegon, prior to his enrollment at Wayne State School of Mortuary Science. His dream, from a young age was to be a funeral director ~ his dream became a reality.

David, along with his wife Barbara, purchased Brown Funeral Home of Addison and Hudson in 1966 prior to the death of Clarence Brown. They lived in the Addison establishment until their move to the Hudson Facility in 1967. They purchased Dunn Funeral Home of Onsted in 1974.

Dave and Barb have two children, Brenda of Onsted and Robert of Addison. Robert is a Licensed Funeral Director and Brenda assists in managing the Onsted establishment. They also have 5 grandchildren; Troy, Stephanie, Courtney, Jennifer and Nicole. Their grandson Troy has two children, Megan 3 and Tyler 1.

Dave is a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, International Order of the Golden Rule, First United Methodist Church of Hudson , where he is Trustee, on the Administrative board and head usher. He also is a member of the Hudson Golf League, Kiwanis Club of Hudson and Addison, Masonic Lodge of Addison, Scottish Rite Masons, Shriners and Lenawee County Shrine Club, Elks of Hillsdale, Devils Lake Yacht Club of Manitou Beach and Lakes Preservation League of Addison. Formerly, Dave was a member of the Advisory Board of Community Home Care, Past President of the Hudson and Addison Kiwanis Clubs, Past President of the Hudson Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association Dist #2 and a Hudson Public Library Board Member and Treasurer for 25 years.

Dave loves his work. Obviously so, since he's now 70 and still actively involved in all three establishments. He enjoys his family and grandkids, loves to golf and spend time at their lake home and likes to travel with his wife and family.

"I have always enjoyed my work serving the public in this capacity, and hope that I've been of assistance to the families we have served." "We are dedicated to serving families of all faiths, with dignity and respect."

Barbara A. Van Hemert
Barbara was born on March 4, 1933 in Grand Haven, Michigan and spent her early life in the Grand Haven, Muskegon Heights area. She attended Muskegon Christian School and Muskegon Heights High School.

In March of 1953 she married David L. Van Hemert, of Muskegon. They moved to Addison in July of 1954, upon her husband taking employment with Brown Funeral Home. They purchased the businesses in Addison and Hudson upon the death of Clarence Brown in 1966. In 1967, they moved to the Hudson location.

Barb and Dave have two children, Brenda of Onsted and Robert of Addison, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Barb is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hudson, United Methodist Women's Club, Addison Women's Club, Hudson Women's Club, Friday Club of Hudson, Addison Golf League , The Lake's Preservation League and The Devil's Lake Yacht Club of Manitou Beach . Previously, she was a member of the Lady Elks, Hudson Golf League, Hudson False Alarms, and former Trustee of the Hudson Educational Foundation.

She enjoys working for the funeral home in many capacities, loves their lake home and boating, likes to vacation and shop, and especially loves spending time with her family.

Robert D. Van Hemert
Owner/Director
Robert has lived all of his life in the Hudson-Addison area. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1975.

He attended Jackson Community College directly from high school until his transfer to Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in Detroit, Michigan in the Fall of 1978. He graduated in the Spring of 1980, and became licensed shortly afterwards in the State of Michigan. He married Sheila Ashley, also of Hudson, in the Fall of 1979.

He joined the Hudson Fire Department in 1975 as a volunteer firefighter and actively pursued all the training necessary to continue progressing. Upon moving to Addison in 1980, he joined the Addison Fire Department serving as an officer for 12 years and Assistant Chief for 9 years. In 1995 Bob chose to step down as Assistant Chief and currently enjoys being a regular fire fighter without all the pressures of being an officer. His fire fighting continues to be a part-time venture.

Robert has been raised in the funeral business, being his father is also a Director. He has worked for the funeral home since his early teens. Bob enjoys golf, scuba diving, tennis, all outdoor activities and spending time with his family. Also enjoys music, playing the trumpet and guitar and also has spent considerable time re-modeling their home. Their current home previously was their business and home for many years prior to the new facility being built and completed in 1995.

Bob and Sheila have four daughters. Stephanie graduated from Addison High School in 2000 and is a recent graduate of Hillsdale Beauty College. Courtney is a 6th grader at Addison Middle School, Jennifer is in the fourth grade at Addison Upper Elementary, and Nicole is in kindergarten.

He is a member of the Addison United Church, Official Trumpeter for "The Thin Blue Line of Michigan" (an organization for fallen State Troopers & Police Officers), regularly plays taps for all veterans funerals, and is a member of the Addison Fire Department. Business memberships include Michigan Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and International Order of the Golden Rule.

"We are continuing to look to the future in order that we may provide the very best in funeral service and facilities to the families that we serve."

Sheila A. Van Hemert
Sheila has lived most of her life in the Hudson-Addison area. She graduated from Hudson High School in 1975.

She attended Jackson Community College for two years majoring in business/accounting. She married Robert Van Hemert, also of Hudson, in 1979.

Additionally, she has been actively involved in Holistic Health and Fitness since 1981, graduating from National Institute of Nutritional Education in 1989 as a Certified Nutritionist. She has acquired many additional certifications over the years in Iridology, BioKinesiology, Fitness, and also has her Certification from the Tree of Life Institute as a Master of Holistic Health. She also owned and operated "The Fitness Express" of Hudson until 1992. She considers her natural healing a hobby, but enjoys assisting individuals with their health on a part-time basis.

She previously was employed at Consolidated Freightways of Jackson, Michigan, fresh out of college, serving as Office Manager, later accepting employment with a local law firm as bookkeeper. She joined the Brown-Van Hemert staff in 1981. In 2001, she also became licensed to sell Pre-Need Limited Life Insurance in the State of Michigan.

Currently Sheila serves as the office manager, bookkeeper and Pre-Need Specialist for the three funeral homes. The main business office is located at the Hudson establishment.

Bob and Sheila have four daughters. Stephanie was born on October 18, 1981 graduating from Addison High School in 2000. She recently graduated from Hillsdale Beauty College and has accepted employment at the Mane Event in Somerset Center, Michigan. Courtney was born on September 9, 1990 and is a sixth grader at Addison Middle School. Jennifer was born on May 18, 1993 and is a fourth grader at Addison Upper Elementary. Nicole was born on June 23, 1997 and currently is in Kindergarten at Addison Elementary. Bob and Sheila chose home births using a midwife for the last three children, with Stephanie being born at Bixby Hospital in Adrian, Michigan.

She is a member of the Addison United Church and enjoys being active in the music,Vacation Bible School, and teaches Sunday School. She enjoys singing, plays the flute and piano, enjoys all outdoor activities and sports and especially enjoys spending time with her family and attending her children's school related functions.

"I consider our business a ministry, and enjoy helping families through a difficult time." "Losing a loved one is hard to bear, and it is our hope to provide a memorable tribute to a life lived and during this process assist the families we serve through the grief process." "Thank you for continuing to put your faith and trust in us."

Matthew L. Monahan
"Director"
Matt was raised on a dairy farm south of Hudson. He attended Sacred Heart School, graduating in 1976, and Hudson Area High School, graduating in 1982.

He attended Michigan State University directly from high school, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance in 1987. He married Angela Ashley, also of Hudson, in 1985.

In 1987, Matt and Angie moved to Howell, Michigan from East Lansing. Matt worked in Ypsilanti as Assistant Branch Manager of Comerica Bank. He made the decision to return to school in 1993, this time majoring in Mortuary Science. He and his family moved back to Hudson, and he attended Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated in 1995 with his degree in Mortuary Science, and became licensed

shortly afterwards both in the State of Michigan and Nationally. Matt is also licensed to sell Pre-Need Limited Life Insurance in the State of Michigan.

Matt and Angie have three children. Alexander, who lives in East Lansing, Michigan, Andrew, who is attending Michigan State University, and Hilary is in eighth grade at Hudson Middle School. They are members of Sacred Heart Church in Hudson, where Matt is a Eucharistic Minister, and is involved in the Youth Group. Matt is also a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and enjoys golf, cards, and his family activities.

Brenda S. LaFollette
Brenda has lived all of her life in the Addison-Hudson-Onsted area. She graduated from Hudson High School in 1971 and attended Jackson Community College.

She married Jack LaFollette of Hudson in 1972. Brenda and Jack have one son, Troy of Grand Rapids and his wife Sarah. They also have two grandchildren, Megan ~ 3 and Tyler ~ 1.

Jack and Brenda moved to Onsted in 1974, after her father and mother purchased the Onsted Funeral Home. Both Brenda and Jack help manage the Onsted business, which is also their home.

Additionally, Brenda manages the Dubois Flower shop in Onsted. She has been employed there for 14 years, acting as manager for the past 3 years.

Her husband Jack is a classified screw machine technician at M&S Manufacturing in Hudson, and has been employed there for 31 years.

Brenda enjoys tennis, golf, shopping and traveling with her husband. They both enjoy spending time with their son and his family. They love having their grandchildren come and stay so they can spoil them!!

They attend the Hudson United Methodist Church.

" I enjoy working with families in our area and assisting them through difficult times. Death is something that happens to all of us one day, it's all part of the life cycle, so it's worth planning ahead for. We've been here in business for years and plan to stay for many more. Thank you for your continued support and trust."

Sharon Kooienga
Sharon was born November 24, 1938 in Adrian. She lived her early life in Adrian area moving to Pittsford 1951. She graduated from Pittsford Schools in 1957.

She attended courses at Jackson Community College. She was the first woman bus driver in Pittsford area schools around 1961. Additionally she worked for the postal service for 30 years in the Pittsford/Jackson/Addison areas . She began employment with Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in 1995 upon the opening of their new facility in Addison and thoroughly enjoys it.

Sharon has two daughters, Patsy of Addison and Ginger of Pittsford. She has 4 grandkids. She married Norman Kooienga in 1980 and inherited 3 more daughters and 8 grandchildren and 3 great - grandchildren.

She enjoys her family and grandkids, enjoys working at the funeral home and being involved at her church.

She is a member of Addison United Church and the Addison Women's Fellowship. Formerly she was a member of Addison Kiwanis.

"I thank God every morning for each and every day I'm given. I thoroughly enjoy my life." "The Van Hemert's have always treated me like family."

Gladys L. Crandall
Gladys was born on June 2, 1919 to Frank and Dora "Bryant" Earles, living her younger years in Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County Michigan on a country farm north of Hudson.

She attended Taylor Country School from first grade through eighth, going on to Hudson High School graduating in the Class of 1938.

In the Fall of 1938, Gladys accepted employment with Charles E. Brown and Son Funeral Home of Hudson. Charles was the owner at that time, along with his son Clarence.

In 1941 Gladys married Lawrence B. Crandall. They had two children, Corlis and Paul. Her father, Frank, passed away in 1943. In 1964 her husband, Lawrence, passed away, but Gladys chose to continue working for the Funeral Home. She lost her mother, Dora, in 1979.

In 1966, the funeral home was purchased by David L. Van Hemert. Gladys chose to continue her employment with Brown - Van Hemert Funeral Home. She still works for the funeral home to this day and enjoys her job. Obviously so, since she's worked for the funeral home for 64 years!!!

In March of 1999, Gladys' daughter Corlis passed away from a long term illness. She will be greatly missed.

Gladys has 3 grandchildren; Anthony, Collin and Abbie , 2 great-grandchildren; Kirsten and Jake. She enjoys spending time with her family, vacationing and being "very" active. She absolutely is an inspiration !!

"I have enjoyed many wonderful years working for the Brown's and the Van Hemert's. They have always made me feel like family."