Shirley Van Baren

Shirley Anne Van Baren, nee Van Schouwen, age 91, went home to her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.  Shirley was born on February 18, 1930 to Joseph and Elizabeth (Van Drunen) Van Schouwen in Harvey, IL. On October 27, 1948 she was married to Tunis Van Baren until his death on January 25, 1988. Shirley was a Godly wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Much time was spent with grandchildren, and they enjoyed her very much.

Shirley’s life revolved around the church. She was active in Bible studies, church functions, as well as visiting and helping other widows.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Tunis, parents Joseph and Elizabeth, step-mother Hilda (Sturenberg) Van Schouwen, granddaughter Michelle (Van Baren) Deenik, brother Joseph Van Schouwen, step-brother Arnold and Lois Hoving, in-law parents Arthur and Esther (Van der Aa) Van Baren, in-law siblings Alice and John Van Til, John and Esther Heys, Gys and Jeanette Van Baren, Perlin and Agnes Schut, and niece Joyce (Heys) Niemyer.

She is survived by her children Arthur and Sharon (Zandstra) Van Baren, Joseph and Marcia (Regnerus) Van Baren, Doug and Lynn (Van Baren) Bruinsma, grandchildren Arthur Van Baren, Mary Beth Van Beek (Chris), Rob Deenik, Neal Van Baren (Ashley), Kyle Van Baren (Marisa), Ross Van Baren (Jill), Corrie VanderVeen (Mike), Caleb Van Baren (Jenn), Anneke Kuiper (Jeff), Tunis Van Baren (Kayla), Victoria Bruinsma, and Cassandra Bruinsma, and 37 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister Joyce (Wayne) Dienema and sister-in-law Barbara Van Schouwen and step-sister Janet (late Marvin) Huisenga as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Crete Protestant Reformed Church, 1777 E. Richton Rd. Crete, IL. Funeral service Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Crete Protestant Reformed Church. A private burial for family will be held at Homewood Memorial Gardens - Homewood, IL.

A special thank you to granddaughter Corrie, her husband Mike, and their children for taking Grandma Shirley in to their home and providing her with loving care for the last 9 months of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Faith Christian School in Randolph, WI, Heritage Protestant Reformed School in Dyer, IN, or Bethshan Association .

For further information, please contact 219-322-7300, or we encourage you to leave a condolence for the family on our online guestbook at ww.SMITSFH.com