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In Loving Memory Of
David L. Van Hemert
1932 - 2016
David L. Van Hemert, age 84, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Hospice of Lenawee in Adrian, Michigan. He dedicated his life’s work to serving others in their time of need. Up until the time of his brief battle with leukemia, he had continued to work and serve. He was deeply loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was a pillar in his community. His legacy carries on through his family, and through the ongoing operation of Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Homes.
David was born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1932. He lived his early life in Muskegon, graduating 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 and four great grandchildren.
Dave was a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and First United Methodist Church of Hudson, where he was Trustee, on the Administrative board and head usher. He also was a member of the Hudson Golf League, Kiwanis Club of Hudson and Addison, Devils Lake Yacht Club of Manitou Beach and Lakes Preservation League of Addison. Dave was a past 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 District #2 and a past Hudson Public Library Board Member and Treasurer for 25 years.
Dave loved his work. Obviously so, since he continued to work until the time he was unable to, at age 83. He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, loved to golf and spend time at their lake home and loved to travel with his wife and family.
David exhibited love for his family, and believed his family to be his greatest success in life. He enjoyed life, and each year when his birthday rolled around he would proclaim, “I’ll take every birthday I can get.” His age never seemed to limit him, and he cherished each and every year he was given.
"WHEN I STAND BEFORE GOD AT THE END OF MY LIFE, I WOULD HOPE THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE A SINGLE BIT OF TALENT LEFT AND COULD SAY, 'I USED EVERYTHING YOU GAVE ME.'"
IN LOVING MEMORY OF:
Barbara A. VanHemert
1933 - 2020
Barbara A. VanHemert, age 87, passed away on October 8, 2020 at Legacy Assisted Living in Jackson, Michigan. Barbara moved to Legacy in January of 2017 after the death of her husband, David.
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 5 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 Hudson Golf League, Hudson False Alarms, and former Trustee of the Hudson Educational Foundation.
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, receiving his Mortuary Science License shortly after 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 but continued serving as a volunteer. In January, 2009, he chose to retire after having served for 34 years.
Robert has been raised in the funeral business, being his father was also a Director. He has worked for the funeral home since his early teens. Bob enjoys golf, tennis, all outdoor and lake activities and spending time with his family. He also enjoys music and plays the trumpet. Bob and Sheila have four daughters and 4 grandchildren.
He is a former member of the Addison Fire Department, and a retired member of the Hudson Golf League.
Business memberships include Michigan Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors Association.
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, and Trinity School of Natural Health in 2020 as a Certified Aromatherapy Specialist and Master Herbalist. She has acquired many additional certifications over the years in Iridology, BioKinesiology, and Fitness. She also owned and operated "Sheila's Fitness Express" of Hudson until 1992. Sheila enjoys helping others with their health.
Her websites is: www.healthyalternative.website
Sheila enjoyed employment at Dairy Land of Hudson, from age 16 all through college. She accepted a job with Consolidated Freightways of Jackson, Michigan, fresh out of college in 1977, 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 became licensed to sell Pre-Need Limited Life Insurance in the State of Michigan.
Currently Sheila serves as office manager/bookkeeper for their three locations. Bob and Sheila have four daughters and four grandchildren. She served as Worship Leader at a local church for many years and enjoys singing, piano, and flute.
She also enjoys outdoor, lake, and sports activities, working outdoors in her flower beds, and especially enjoys spending time with her family.
"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."
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 while 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, Andrew, and Hilary. All three of their children graduated from Sacred Heart School in Hudson, and from Hudson Area High School. Alex is a graduate of Michigan State University, and is a Packaging Engineer. He works for Jack Links in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Andy is also a graduate of Michigan State University, and is a Packaging Engineer. He works for Pfizer in Groton, Connecticut. Hilary graduated from Baker college as a Surgical Technician and works for Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan.
Matt and his family are members of Sacred Heart Church in Hudson, where Matt is a Eucharistic Minister, and volunteers for many functions. Matt is also a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and he is the current Grand Knight for Hudson’s council. Matt also enjoys golf, playing cards, and being with his family.
Brenda has lived all her life in the Addison, Hudson and Onsted area. She graduated from Hudson High School in 1971 and also attended Jackson Community College.
She married Jack LaFollette, of Hudson, in 1972. Brenda and Jack have one son, Troy, and two grandchildren, Megan and Tyler.
Jack and Brenda moved to Onsted in 1974 after her father and mother purchased the Onsted Funeral Home. They both assisted in overseeing the Onsted Business, which was also their home for many years.
Additionally , Brenda managed the DuBois Flower Shop in Onsted until the time of its closing. She was employed there for 22 years, acting as manager for 12 years.
Jack retired as a screw machine technician, and worked at M&S Manufacturing Company in Hudson for 33 years. He passed away in August of 2017 after a 12 year battle with lung cancer.
Brenda enjoys tennis, golf, exercising, shopping and traveling. She is a member of the Addison Golf League and past member of the Hudson Golf League. She also enjoys her Bunco Club. Brenda loves spending time with their son, Troy, his wife, Jody, and her grandchildren.
In March of 2021 the Onsted Funeral Home Establishment was officially closed. In June of 2021 it was sold as a residence. Brenda purchased a home in Onsted, where she currently resides.
Brenda is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hudson.
Courtney has lived all her life in the Addison – Somerset Area. She graduated from Addison High School in 2009. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Siena Heights University, graduating in 2015.
She is the daughter of Robert and Sheila VanHemert, of Addison.
Employment history:
Beach Bar of Clark Lake - waitress. 2014 – 2018
CommonWealth Associates - administrative assistant. 2012 - 2017
Brown-VanHemert Funeral Homes – 2017 to current.
Courtney married Bradley Elston of Addison on September 24, 2016. They have two children. Madelynne and Grayson.
Bradley graduated with a degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University, and works for City of Jackson Police Department since 2012. He previously worked part-time simultaneously for Morenci, Somerset Township and Cambridge Police Departments.
They enjoy spending time with their children, and their dog hunter. They love the lake, and enjoy boating and camping. Family togetherness is important to them.
"I'm thankful to be a part of our family owned businesses and contribute to administrative duties in our main office in Hudson."