Aletha Van Donkelaar

Aletha (Hill) Van Donkelaar was born on July 28th, 1926, to Clinton and Grace Hill, in the Bay City area of Michigan. She was the fourth of six children.
Aletha attended Trinity Bible College and graduated with a 2 year degree. In 1948 she began a 37 year career teaching school. Her first position teaching K- 12th, was in a rural one room school in Michigan. Through her long career she taught a 3rd-4th split, Kindergarten and her favorite 1st grade. She loved children and the thrill of seeing them progress as each subject was mastered.

On November 6th, 1948 she married Marinus (Joe) Van Donkelaar in Bay City, Michigan and moved to Muskegon where they had two children Sharon and Sue Ann. Aletha was a wonderful wife and mother. While raising two children and teaching school she completed her Bachelor's degree at Western Michigan University. Upon retirement she and Joe moved to New Port Richey, Florida for 8 years to enjoy the warm climate. In 2005 Grants Pass became their home, to be near their daughter Sharon and her family and to enjoy the lovely scenery of the area. Joe and Aletha were married 66 years before his passing.

Beside her love of children and teaching, her free time was spent quilting, making porcelain
dolls, and sewing clothes for each. She also enjoyed oil and acrylic painting. She was an avid reader and a wonderful cook.

She has served our blessed Lord over the years by doing missions work, sewing in church
quilting and craft groups, and teaching Sunday School and Children's Church.

Aletha and Joe had 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Joe, their daughter Sue Ann and grandson Eric precede her in death.

Survivors include daughter Sharon (Terry) Faulkner, granddaughter Amy (Sean) Randles and great granddaughter Sydney residing in Grants Pass, OR. Granddaughter Kelly De Baar, great grand children, Asher, Macy and Karah of Ada, Michigan. Sue Ann's children are granddaughter Jamie (Tracy) Drzewicki and great grandsons Timmy and Joey of Fremont, Michigan. Grandson Greg (Megan) Slamka and great grandson Bodie, who
reside in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

A family gathering will take place in Michigan. In lieu of flowers please send a love offering to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Edgewater Christian Fellowship of Grants Pass, OR.