Betty Eileen Longstreet

Betty Eileen Longstreet (Van Luyn), age 90, passed away on September 10, 2013. Betty was a life-long resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan, prior to recently moving to Bridgman, Michigan, to be closer to her children. She was born on April 29, 1923, in Grand Rapids to William and Vera (Bailey) Van Luyn. She married John Longstreet, also of Grand Rapids, in October of 1949. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, William and Vera Van Luyn, her sister Lorraine Shangraw, sister-in-law Sally Van Luyn, and brothers-in-law Edward Longstreet, Alfred Shangraw, and Robert Beckwith. She is survived by her children, Nancy Hendrix of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Stephen (Julie) Longstreet of Coloma, Michigan, Amy (Timothy) Brizzolara of Zionsville, Indiana; brother William Van Luyn and sister Margaret Beckwith of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law Marian Longstreet of Wayland, Michigan; grandchildren Scott (Laura) Hendrix of Olympia, Washington, Kelsey Brizzolara of Los Angeles, California, Danny and Jayme Brizzolara of Zionsville; great grandchildren Eloise, Piper, and Boone Hendrix of Olympia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Betty was a charter member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Grand Rapids. As a church member she was active in the Ladies Guild and the Church Choir. Betty was employed as the first secretary of Blessed Sacrament, as well as working for her alma mater, Creston High School. Betty was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt, who displayed a deep love and devotion to her family and faith. We will all miss her caring and giving nature, strong faith, and the personal strength she showed throughout her life. A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2275 Diamond Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, September 21. Family will be greeting visitors from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at church, prior to the service. Interment: Fairplains Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Columbia Plaza, 350 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 20, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, or to Blessed Sacrament Church, 2275 Diamond Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI, 49505. Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450, St. Joseph, MI, has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Those wishing to leave a condolence for the family may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.