Ruth Jane VanDuinen of Merritt was a wonderful Mother and devoted Christian who went home to be with the Lord at the age of 93 on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

Ruth was born November 2, 1923 in Butterfield Township of Missaukee County to Charles and Ida (Buehler) Long on the homestead farm at 2481 S. Nelson Rd. Merritt.

She married Edwin F. VanDuinen Sr. December 24, 1948 in Saginaw who preceded her in death on July 23, 2005. Ruth worked alongside her husband for 56 years. When they were first married they worked for 15 years in the forestry business, she drove the trucks, and then for 30 years they worked together on their dairy farm. She also drove a school bus for a while. She taught Sunday school for many years. Ruth enjoyed reading the Bible and living for the Lord. She loved cooking, getting together with her family and the Christian fellowship with her church family.

Ruth is survived by her children, Chuck (Mary) VanDuinen, George VanDuinen, John VanDuinen, Frieda (Jeffrey) Dorland, Wayne (Lisa) VanDuinen, Eugene (Julie) VanDuinen; daughter-in-law, Carmen VanDuinen; sister-in-law, Donna Bishop and brother-in-law, Wayne (Yvonne) VanDuinen; 28 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren with 1 on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ida; husband, Edwin Sr.; son, Edwin Jr.; Daughter-in-law, Penny; grandson, Jeffery VanDuinen; great granddaughter, Tessa Barnes; brothers, Stanley (Ida) Long, Thurman (Arline) Long, Charles (Dorothy) Long and George Long; sisters, Catherine (Lee) Edward and Gladys (August) Shult; parents-in-law, Fred and Winnie VanDuinen; sister-in-law, Eileen (Roger) Chamberlin; brother-in-law’s, LeRoy (Carol) VanDuinen and Willie Bishop.

To know mother was to love her and they who knew her most, loved her best.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Young Funeral Home with Reverend Wayne VanDuinen officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, October 19, from 4p.m. to 8p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Butterfield Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

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