Emma Jean DeRuiter, age 71, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 6, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Alice Schelling; son, Richard Andrew DeRuiter; sister, Harriet Hoogerwerf; and brother, John Schelling. She is survived by her husband, Richard DeRuiter; children Sarah (Randall) Pederson, Hannah (Tom) Beeke, Leah (Chris) Kirchhofer; sisters Wanetta (late Jerald) Czarnecki, Joanne (Larry) Langston, Carol (Terry) Glass, Amanda (late John) Schelling, Alisa (Tom) VanZoeren; grandchildren Naomi, Tyler, Caleb, Christopher, Zoey, Emelie, Vera, and Ethan; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Visitation will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center, 2067 84th St., Byron Center, Michigan. Following a private family service, a graveside committal service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020 at Kent Memorial Gardens, 7355 Clyde Park Ave., Byron Center, Michigan 49315. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Emma, memorial contributions may be made to Plymouth Christian Schools. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.