Jean Ellen Devries

Jean Ellen DeVries passed away March 15, 2025.  She was born March 8, 1932 to Rev. Guy A. and Mary (Kuhnie) Holtzhouse at their home in Detroit, Michigan.  Jean graduated from Redford High School and attended Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she met Paul F. DeVries; they were married on August 29, 1953.  After getting her teaching certificate from Wayne State, she taught grade school while Paul served in the army and then attended Seminary and was ordained into the Reformed Church in America.  Jean began her life as a minister’s wife, moving to different locations and serving alongside Paul in many capacities, including a partnership with O’Hare Airport Ministries.  Jean cared for five daughters, played the piano and sang, directed junior choirs, taught children’s and women’s Bible classes, and served on numerous church committees her entire life.  She also worked as a nurses’ aide at the Sheboygan Retirement Home and later worked over 25 years in the activities department at Rest Haven, a retirement home in South Holland, Illinois.  Jean loved animals and had a dog and two special cats in her life. There was not a craft Jean could not master, and she excelled at sewing, knitting, jewelry making, and stained glass work.

Jean is survived by five daughters, Elizabeth (Rev. Michael) Winnowski, Sharon (Richard) VanderWoude, Suzanne Luchs, Andrea (J. Michael) Kendrick, and Mary (Douglas) Yager; ten grandchildren: Lucia (Joshua) Smith, Zoe and Clio Winnowski, David VanderWoude, Nora and Jia Luchs, Anna (Scott) Scheidt, and Hope (CJ) Neumaier, and Nathan and Luke Yager, and by two great granddaughters, Ruby and Della Scheidt. She is also survived by her sister, Sally (Richard) Hornick and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Rev. Paul F. DeVries, her parents Guy and Mary Holtzhouse, her infant sister Martha, her brother Guy and sister-in-law Ruth and nephew Kevin Holtzhouse, her sister MaryLou and brother-in-law Sam Felten, her sister Janice and brother-in-law Don Albright, her brother-in-law Don King, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carole and Robert VanderHooning.

Jean began to show signs of dementia ten years ago and eventually lived at Alto Senior Living in Wheaton, Illinois for the last seven years. Several years ago she moved to the memory support floor where she was cared for 24 hours a day by the most loving staff.  Eighteen months ago Hospice Support was added to her care, and the family is extremely grateful for their love and support.

Private family services will be held. Arrangements entrusted to Smits Funeral Home – Dyer, IN.  For further information, please call 219-322-7300 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com