Velma Jenks

Velma Louise Jenks, age 88 of Stanton, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

She was born the daughter of Francis & Olive (Mann) Newcomb and they along with one sister, Mary Jenks; brother-in-law, Gaylord Jenks; son-in-law, Ken Benedict have preceded her in death.

Velma is survived by her husband of 71 years, Bernard Jenks of Stanton; children, Marcia (Robert) Sawdy of Stanton; Glenda Benedict (Clair Whitmore) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Steve (Pamela) Jenks of Hudsonville; Marion (Butch) Truesdale of Celina, Ohio; grandchildren, Scott (Jamie) Sawdy of Turk Lake, Kathy (Jeff) Otteson of Grand Rapids, Brian Sawdy (Dawn DeCator) of Otsego, Robert Sawdy, Jr. of Stanton, Sue Bresnahan of Sand Lake, Carla (Dennis) Spanbauer of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Nathan (Kathy) Carnes of Coldwater, Ohio, Jermey (Beckie) Jenks of Zeeland, Tabatha Bratu (Jeremy Baisden) of Grandville, Michelle (Steve) Brancaleone of Celina, Ohio, Herbie Truesdale of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mike Truesdale of California, Robin Truesdale of Lima, Ohio; great grandchildren, Tanner Sawdy, Hunter Sawdy, Parker Sawdy, Walker Sawdy, Slater Sawdy, Summer Sawdy, Kylie Pixley, Morgan Otteson, Madeline Otteson, Mitchell Otteson, Vincent Sawdy, Chelsey Allen, Josh Allen, Brandon Wale, Sydney Spanbauer, Ashley Spanbauer, Hunter Carnes, Justin Carnes, Austin Carnes, Zackary Jenks, Jarrett Jenks, Travis Walker, Breana Bratu, Trinity Baisden, Stephanie Brancaleone; great great grandchildren, Waverly Sawdy, Brady Allen, Elizabeth Allen; sister-in-law; brother-in-law, Carol & Ken Scott of Grand Rapids and several nieces and nephews.

If you were to ask Velma to list her two top priorities, she would have told you “faith and family”. Even right up to the end, Velma wasn’t afraid to tell anyone who would listen about her love for Jesus which gave her great peace even as she battled cancer. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and a wonderful grandma. She was a member of the Evergreen Free Methodist Church in Sheridan where she also served as their treasurer for 20 years. She was a talented seamstress and very good at upholstering. Her talents were also evident in the kitchen where she was a great baker and she especially liked making wedding, birthday and graduation cakes for people. Velma also loved her flower garden.

Visitation and memorial services for Velma will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Evergreen Free Methodist Church (2825 Condensery Road) in Sheridan with visitation starting at 10 AM and memorial services starting at 11 AM with Pastor Jim Vandewarker and Pastor Phil VanDop officiating.

For those wanting to make a memorial donation in Velma’s memory the family suggests donations be directed to either the Evergreen Free Methodist Church or Spectrum Hospice.