June Cavender

As her friends and family can attest, June Cavender was blessed with the gift of a servants heart as there was nothing she wouldnt do for someone else. With the love of her life by her side for nearly 60 years, she witnessed her family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Even when faced with times of trial, June graciously endured whatever lay before her with a quiet and unwavering courage that is to be admired. June leaves behind a beautifully crafted mosaic of memories that will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of her loved ones. The Roaring Twenties saw the peak of Broadway and motion pictures that became available in both color and sound while prosperity was felt in cities and communities all across our great land. With more affordable cars, roads were being constructed that connected families in ways that were impossible before. It was during this exciting time that a bustling family from Fremont, Michigan, was overjoyed to announce the arrival of a healthy baby girl on July 30, 1922. June was the youngest of nine children born to her parents, John and Fannie (Schuiteman) Dykman, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sister, Marie, who was the oldest of her siblings, and seven brothers who came in between the two girls. Her father was a farmer, and as is often the case, farming was a family affair for the Dykmans. June did her fair share of farm chores, often picking strawberries among other things. In many ways June experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for the youth of her generation. She was a student at Fremont Christian School through the eighth grade, and from there she went on to Fremont Public High School where she was part of the graduating class of 1940. It was while in high school that June met the young man who captured her heart. His name was Gordon Cavender, and they met when he offered her a ride to school. He was a couple of years Junes senior, and he and worked in his uncles hardware store. June and Gordon dated until he was called to serve in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Throughout his time in the service the couple corresponded through letters. As a new high school graduate June moved to Ann Arbor for a few years where she worked as a telephone operator for a time. While there she became friends with a young woman named Phyllis Diller who would go on to be a famous comedian. Shortly after Gordon returned from his time in the service, June married her sweetheart on October 9, 1944. Together they were blessed with the birth of their son, Larry, in 1945. They moved around the country during the next five years, living in several places throughout Michigan, Washington, and Texas just to name a few. They often moved nearby one of her siblings. Their family of three eventually settled in Spring Lake, Michigan, when it was time for Larry to start school. The Cavenders built a house on Ranch Lane where their family grew to include their daughter, Vicki. Throughout her life June made her family her priority. They were faithful members of First Reformed Church in Spring Lake, and faith always played an important part of their lives. June was forever volunteering at the church doing things like making food and taking on anything else that needed to be done. June and her family liked camping at various parks around Michigan. They started out in tents at first but later moved up to pop-ups and finally trailers. Extended family always played an important part in Junes life as she was very close to all her relatives. There were numerous family gatherings every year, and different holidays found them at the homes of various relatives. Gordons father had a home on the Pine River in Wellston, Michigan, that was affectionately called The Cabin. Eventually the place became Gordons, and there were many family gatherings there over the next several decades. Together they had hours of fun fishing and tubing in the river with grandchildren in addition to playing countless board games and card games, which were things June loved to do. June and Gordon spent their retirement years living at the cabin for six months with the other six months of every year spent down in Weslaco, Texas. While in Texas they were also active at their church, regularly volunteering their time and talents where they were needed. Eventually, Gordon and June sold the cabin and kept a trailer at Campers Paradise in Grand Haven during the summers instead. When Gordons health issues became more extensive, they moved to Grand Haven year round. June was deeply saddened by his death in 2002, but with her independent spirit she continued to live on her own. She eventually settled into Evergreen Village. Although June suffered with arthritis for several years, she didnt let it limit her, and she never complained about the pain she was in. Her mind remained sharp even as her body began failing during her sunset years. A stranger to none and a friend to all, June Cavender was a delight to know and love. She has been described as one of the most loving and caring people around, and she was always looking to help in whatever way she could. Junes skills in the kitchen were second to none as it has been said that she made it seem effortless to whip up a meal fit for royalty out of whatever leftovers were in her refrigerator. Life will never be the same without her here, but the timeless legacy she created will continue on in the generations who follow her. June Cavender died July 5, 2013. Junes family includes her son, Larry (Lois) Cavender of TX; daughter, Vicki (Randy) Deater of Spring Lake; 4 grandchildren, Dr. Amy Cavender C.S.C., Dan (Erin) Cavender, Jeff (Becki) Deater & Katie (Troy) Bixler; 4 great-grandchildren, Samantha & Alexandra Cavender & Brody & Bellamie Deater; Bobbie (Bill) Roach, who was like a daughter to June and sister-in-law, Ellen Dykman. June was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon in 2002 as well as 1 sister and 7 brothers. Services will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2013, 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Reformed Church with David De Vos officiating. Visit with Junes family on Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. at Trinity Reformed Church. Memorials can be made to Hospice of North Ottawa or Trinity Reformed Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Arrangements provided by Clock Life Story- Grand Haven.