Dora May Van Der Veen
March 26th, 1917 - May 3rd, 2015
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Dora's Obituary
Dora May Van Der Veen, 98, of South Haven passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 at the Meadow Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Bloomingdale. She was born March 26, 1917 in Detroit to Cedric E. and Lula M. (Meldrum) Blake. Dora married Joseph Elkerton in 1938. After his passing she married Pastor William Van Der Veen. During World War II, Dora worked in a defence industry. She also worked at the Vair-E Best Candy Store and The Dime Store. Dora enjoyed painting, including water colors, stencils, and oils. Dora was a former member of McBain Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death along with her parents by her first husband – Joseph Elkerton who died in 1967 and her second husband William Van Der Veen. Son – Gerald Elkerton in 1997 and granddaughter – Jamison Elkerton in 1993. Her brother – Ewan Blake also precedes here.
She is survived by her daughter – Charlene (Paul) Kolon of Lawrence, Michigan; four grandchildren – Katie Kolon, Seth (Haruna) Kolon, Jennifer (Alex) Fule, and Jacquelyn Elkerton. Two great grandchildren – Jamie and Allison. Three step children – Camile Herweyer of Rockford, Michigan, Deborah (Paul) Weissman of Boca Raton, Florida and Robert Van Der Veen of Chicago, Illinois. Many step-grandchildren and step great grandchildren also survive.
Private family services were held. Burial will take place at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan. Contributions may be made in Dora’s memory to Meadow Woods Nursing Home Activity Fund, 42235 Co Rd 390, Bloomingdale, MI 49026
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