Arlene Vonmyhr

Jesus called Arlene VonMyhr (Shattuck) home to heaven on Monday, February 19, 2024, to be with her dear sister, Dawn (Stevenson) Vandermeer, and the countless family and friends that preceded her. Arlene was a devout Christian, so we have no doubt about her future. Why now? You may ask. I certainly don't know, and I am definitely not ready for it either. But, she must have been needed for something really important. She was one in a million and was taken way too early by a disease that literally strikes one in a million. Although we are really unlucky in this moment, we were certainly lucky in life. We had four decades together and lived a full life, raising two awesome boys into fine men together. Looking back, we really couldn't ask for more. I am so thankful for each and every day. As Arlene ascended with the angels into heaven, she was surrounded by her soulmate and husband, Gary VonMyhr, along with her pride and joy boys, Garry VonMyhr and Erick VonMyhr; the deeply comforting thoughts of her daughter-in-law, Katie VonMyhr; grandsons, Max, Eli, and Sam; her unborn granddaughter (Arlene knows her name, and I have no doubt, knows a lot about her already); her sisters, Connie Shattuck Rose, Trudy Martin, and Janice (Carl) Wuis; her parents, Richard & Dorothy Shattuck (Vandermeer); mother-in-law, Gloria VonMyhr; brothers-in-law, Eddie VonMyhr, Rick VonMyhr, Billy Brand, and Richard Brand; sister-in-law, Starla Frakes; brother, Richie Shattuck; too many awesome cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces, plus great-nephews and great-nieces to name; Pastor Maggie Stoken and the Shelbyville/Martin Church community; close friends, Tracy, Jackie, Vicki, Sally, Sarah, Deb, Karri, Jennifer, and Sue; and all of her other dear family and friends. Arlene was born in Allegan, Michigan on July 30th, 1968. She was a 1986 graduate of Wayland Union Schools and eventually attended Grand Rapids Community College for nursing for a couple of semesters. Over the years, she had various jobs at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Target, Kohls, and Electro Chemical Finishing, but she primarily did food services for Wyoming Park and Grandville schools, where she really enjoyed interacting with the kids in a positive way. She retired from Grandville Grandview Elementary school in 2021 after two decades in the food service industry. Arlene was a very active member of the women’s Shelbyville United Methodist Church group. She was the primary caregiver for her parents, and her greatest thrill was spending time with her family and especially, her three grandchildren. She had many hobbies including dancing, listening to music, playing games, playing cards, camping, kayaking, playing trivia, hiking, biking, watching a sunset, sitting around a campfire, swimming, watching movies, cruizin’ in the Mustang, going to the beach, going on vacation, going to church, and just hanging out. The two of us enjoyed some of the simpler things together like sitting out front and watching the traffic go by and especially dancing in our bar while listening to music on Friday afternoons. We liked the small things like watching our favorite shows and going out to dinner. Arlene and I had many, many, many more special moments that I will keep just between the two of us. During one of my visits towards the end, Erick VonMyhr overheard Arlene saying as I briefly left - "Come back to me my best friend". Arlene and I met on Pearl street in Shelbyville, Michigan, and I always promised her that I would find her again on a different kind of Pearl street in the afterlife. I echo those words now back to the love of my life- " Come back to me my best friend." A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Martin United Methodist Church, 969 E Allegan St, Martin, MI 49070, from 10:00 a.m. until Noon with a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m. which will be live streamed on Facebook via the Martin & Shelbyville United Methodist Church Facebook page. (link is listed below) Flowers may be sent directly to the church or Memorial Contributions may be made to: Shelbyville United Methodist Church (please include “Arlene roof fund” in the memo) and send to Shelbyville Church: 938 124th Ave, Shelbyville, MI 49344. If you have any photos that you would like to include in the celebration, please email them to Jackie by Friday morning at: redfox442@gmail.com Arlene – I Love you forever and beyond, Gary VonMyhr Borrowed Angel A soft gentle smile, a big warm embrace. The love of a mother filled with such grace. Summertime camping trips, I never wanted to end, at “Woods and Waters” with family and friends. Warm sunny days and cool summer nights, a great big fire, and some minor bug bites. A Road trip to the Rockies was always so fun, but a stop at Uncle Billy’s in Denver, made it second to none. A sick day at home, snuggled warm in our nest, watching the “Price is Right” with Mom, was always the best. No matter my challenge, she’d say “Do the best that you can”. I always knew Mom was my biggest fan! Our time together was second to none, and she always made me feel like I was number one. These are young boys’ memories from a time long ago, memories of a woman that we all loved so. Hard working, always giving, from morning to night. Teaching us all to do what is right. Showing by example how to be faithful and kind. We realized back then Mom was truly divine. Her wings were never seen, but we knew they were there. Our Angel could always find something to share. Be it treasure or time, she was up to the task, if the cause was worthy, you just needed to ask. Church missions were one way, she chose to share her gift, quite simply a way, to give someone a lift. She loved giving, it was easy, but it was never for show, I think that Dad was often the last one to know. Mom loved her work, but it’s the kids she loved most, watching them for 20 years, she was a most gracious host. She loves us all, those far, and those near, and our love for her shows with a drop of a tear. We know she was special, she was simply the best. By having Arlene in our lives, we’ve all been so blessed! Mom left us too soon, there was much more to say, many more years before we would come to this day. But at this very moment in Heaven above, mom is sitting with Dawn, and they are sending their love. This isn’t goodbye, those words I can’t say, because I know we’ll be together, in heaven someday. We knew that Mom wasn’t sent here to stay, not even for Angels, is it intended that way. Borrowed from God, for just a moment in time, filled with his love, and sent here to shine. Now Receiving a just reward, for all of the faith she has shown. Today, Our Dear Lord, took Our Borrowed Angel Home. A poem to celebrate the life of Arlene Von Myhr written from the perspective of her children. Fred Marckini 2-21-2024 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arlene Vonmyhr, please visit our flower store.