Betty J. Coles

Betty Coles built her life around hard work, family and the joy of life itself. Whether she was working, raising her children or spoiling her grandchildren, Betty put her heart into all that she did. She had a generous spirit and she loved to give of her time and talents. Through her warmth and generosity, Betty exemplified all the wonderful things a wife, mother, grandmother and friend should be. In the midst of the Roaring Twenties, Clifford and Agnes (Hunt) Stone were overjoyed with the arrival of their little bundle of joy, daughter Betty Jane, on June 19, 1927, on their farm in Hesperia, Michigan. As the youngest, Betty was welcomed into the family by her stepsister, Alma, stepbrother, Lloyd, and sister, Mary Ellen. Most of the time, it was just Betty and Mary Ellen (until she died at the age of five) at home, because her step-siblings lived with their grandmother. Her father earned a living as a stone mason in addition to farming their land, while her mother stayed home, tending to the needs of the family. Betty had a pretty happy childhood, and enjoyed playing piano. She received her education in the one-room schoolhouse just next door to their farm called "Denver School." In order to attend Fremont High School, though Betty had to live in Fremont, so she stayed in an apartment above the Fremont Soda Fountain, where she worked. Betty graduated from Fremont High in 1945, and a year later she enrolled at St. Mary's Mercy School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, and lived on campus in a dorm. 1946 was a busy year for Betty, not only with school, but socially as well. Her friend, Betty Slaughter, set her up on a blind date with a young man named Jack Coles, and they all went to the movies together. She and Jack soon began dating, and had lots of fun in each other's company. While Betty attended nursing school for the next four years, Jack worked at Campbell Wyant and Cannon Foundry. When their blossoming relationship was in its fifth year, Betty boldly told Jack "I'm getting married on Friday - Are you going to be there?" Sure enough, Jack was there, and they were happily married on July 21, 1951, in Grand Rapids, with their longtime friends, Shirley and Al Eppink, standing up for them. There was no honeymoon for the newlyweds though they had to be back at work on Monday. They did, however, settle into their first place together at Morse Manors Apartments on Cherry Street in Grand Rapids. Betty was so excited about married life, and she looked forward to a long, happy future with her husband, Jack. Shortly after marrying, Betty enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and was stationed at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin for a year. It was hard being away from Jack for that time, but she returned home in 1951, and began her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon. Soon Jack set out building their family home, and they lived in the basement portion during construction. In 1952, the couple elatedly started the family to fill their house with the birth of their first child, son Ivan. He was joined two years later by Tom in 1954 and Robert in 1955. A year later, Jack completed the house, but only in the knick of time because they soon brought home the two newest members of their family, twins, Frank and Mary, in 1956. But Betty and Jack weren't done adding to their family yet. In 1958, their daughter Betsy was born, followed by John in 1961, and the baby of the family, Linda, was born in 1962. The Coles' household was undoubtedly always eventful. From school, work, sports events and the large garden at the farm, Betty had her hands full. She was a stern disciplinarian, yet all she had to do was give "the Look" or "the Finger Point" and her kids straightened up real fast. And if eight children weren't enough, Betty allowed the kids to have pets too, including outdoor hunting dogs, birds, an alligator, guinea hens and pet turtles. With a large family to feed, it was necessary for her to can much of the bounty from their large garden and she did needlework to mend lots of hand-me downs. Besides being a devoted mother, Betty continued nursing and worked nights as a private nurse at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon. In 1968, she became the Director of Nursing at Roosevelt Park Nursing Centre. How Betty found the time and energy to do what she did is a testament to her commitment to her family. In 1962, tragedy struck the family when their newly built brick home was completely burned out by an electrical fire. The damage amassed $100,000, and they lost everything. For the next year, while the house was being rebuilt, the children stayed with neighbors and friends so they could continue to go to the Fruitport schools. By 1964, they were all under one roof again. In the whirlwind of life's busyness, Betty, Jack and the kids took time every weekend to go back to Betty's family farm in Hesperia to see her parents. She was very close to them both, and it was hard on her when her father died in 1966. Betty and Jack then began taking her mother, Agnes, to Sorrento, Florida, where she stayed for the winter. Always a caregiver at heart, Betty had her mother come live with them in 1973, so she could take care of her in her final days. Agnes died that same year, leaving Betty once again heartbroken. For Betty, family was the cornerstone of her life, and she loved to be surrounded by her family. Once they had an empty nest with the children all gone, Betty moved on to the next stage of life - being a "Grandma", a role she happily filled once the first grandchild arrived in 1973. All in all, she had thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren to spoil and love. In 1992, Betty suffered a devastating stroke, which forced her to retire from nursing. She had several more strokes over the next thirteen years, during which time her beloved husband Jack tenderly cared for her at home. Although her health may have weakened, Betty's sense of humor and stubborn nature prevailed, and she continued to put a smile on many people's faces. Betty's years of hard work and dedication afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. She will be deeply missed. Betty Jane Coles, age 79, of Fruitport, MI, died Sunday, April 29, 2007, surrounded by her family at Hackley Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Jack; 5 sons: Ivan (Doris) Coles of Muskegon, Tom Coles of Hesperia, Robert Coles of Muskegon, Frank (Becki) Coles of Muskegon, John Coles of Hesperia; 3 daughters: Mary (Dennis) Katt of Muskegon, Betsy Coles of Hesperia, Linda (Robert) Sheets of Hesperia; 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Alma Evoy of Muskegon; many nieces, nephews and special friends. Funeral services for Betty will be held on Thursday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. John Shyne, Jr. officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with Betty's family on Wednesday, May 2, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Betty or sign her online guest book.