Bessie DeVries

Bessie F. DeVries, 95, of East Jordan, died Monday, June 3, 2013 at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan.

She was born May 19, 1918 in Marion Township, the daughter of Edward and Julia (Cork) Potter.

On June 5, 1936 she married Floyd Wilber. They made their home in Grand Blanc. Bessie worked at General Motors in Flint for three years during WWII and for 28 years after her children were older. She drove school bus in Grand Blanc. Mr. Wilber died in April 11, 1976.

On August 20, 1992 she married Arthur DeVries at the Atwood Christian Reformed Church Chapel on U.S. 31. They made their home in Atwood. Arthur died in 2010.

Bessie loved her family and enjoyed teasing. She had a green thumb and enjoyed house plants as well as needlepoint and embroidery.

Surviving are her children Beverly (Richard) Matznick of Durand, Charlotte (Marvin) Heeres of Atwood, Daniel (Diane) Wilber of Atwood, Deborah (Steve) Wiltfong of East Jordan; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and a sister Anna (Richard) Jeltma of Grand Rapids. She was preceded in death by a grandson Ronald Matznick, great-grandson Zachary Cooper, sister Geneva Throop and brothers Allan Potter and Dave Potter.

Friends may call at the Barnard United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at Barnard United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Kroon officiating. Burial will be in Barnard Cemetery.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions the family suggests Grandvue Medical Care Facility.

Arrangements were made by Hastings Funeral Home in Ellsworth. Visit our web site at www.hastingsfuneral.com