Barbara J. Gravelyn

Barbara Jean Gravelyn, age 96, of Cannon Township, passed away peacefully December 10, 2015 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was born in Grand Rapids in March of 1919 to her parents, Thomas & Minnie Hammond. As a young woman she became a dedicated RN working at Butterworth Hospital. Barbara loved being a homemaker and enjoyed cards, board games, and word puzzles often playing with her family. Winters spent in Florida with family and friends were very special to her, as were the monthly meetings for 75 years with her South High School Classmates, "The Club". She is preceded in death by her parents; a son, Harry "Terry" Gravelyn; sister, Dorothy Parker; and brothers, Thomas Hammond and Robert Hammond. Barbara will be missed by her devoted husband of 74 years, Harry C. Gravelyn; daughter, Mary (Gary) Darling; son, Robert (Denise) Gravelyn; son, James (Glenda) Gravelyn; 16 beloved grandchildren; many great and great-great grandchildren; also many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., at Reyers North Valley Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, starting at 10 a.m. Please consider making a memorial donation in Barbara's honor to either the Parkinson's Association of West Michigan (260 Jefferson Ave. SE #210, Grand Rapids, MI 49503) or The American Diabetes Association (1550 E. Beltline Ave. SE #250, Grand Rapids, MI 49503).