She was born on January 7, 1955, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Marcetis (Beck) and Everett Cribbs. On October 20, 1973, Denise married the love of her life, Terry Elwell. Together, they raised three daughters.
Denise was a devoted full-time mother and later retired from Meijer, where she worked as a sales associate. She had many hobbies, including rock hunting, ceramics, gardening, camping, sewing, and refinishing and reupholstering furniture. She loved creating things and working on projects in the garage, where she always seemed to have a new invention underway.
Denise was preceded in death by her husband, Terry; her parents; three brothers; and other close family members and friends.
She is survived by her three daughters, Amy Elwell of Muskegon, Michigan; Lisa (Jeff) Shumaker of Hurricane, West Virginia; and Sara (Bryce) Edgerton of Holton, Michigan. She is also survived by her granddaughters, Alexandria Engler, Lauren Cribbs, and Rachael Shumaker; her grandsons, Daniel C. Engler, Kyle Edgerton, and Benjamin Shumaker; and her great-granddaughter, Kaliana Hyzer. Other survivors include her baby brother, Gary (Kelly) Cribbs; many nieces and nephews; and the many others whom she lovingly considered her grandchildren.
Denise will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved her, as well as by those who knew her from afar but never had the opportunity to meet her. Please continue to keep her daughters and grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate life without her physical presence. Her love, creativity, and memory will remain with them always.
Flowers are appreciated; or a donation to Faithful to Felines.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 12:00pm at Ever Rest Funeral Home, 1783 E. Keating Ave. Muskegon, MI 49442. The family will welcome guests one hour prior to the start of the service. A Luncheon will take place after the service, also at the funeral home.
