Jean was born October 31, 1930 to Daniel J. and Jennie (Hop) Meeusen in Muskegon Heights, MI. After several childhood years in Rockford, OH, the family settled in Zeeland, MI.
Jean was married to her loving husband, Bruce L. Sparks, for 65 years, in Holland. They were members of Pine Creek CRC while raising their 5 children, later moving to South Olive CRC.
Jean was a kind and gentle soul who left a legacy of Christian living to her family and friends. She enjoyed being with her family, gardening, Bible studies and ladies’ church groups (quilting), reading, helping others, all types of word puzzles, and especially jigsaw puzzles. She volunteered many years at Bibles for Mexico in Holland.
Jean was preceded in death by: her husband, her parents, all her siblings and spouses: Henrietta and John Katt, Rena and Henry Petroelje, William Donald and Katherine (later Jackson) Meeusen, Roger and Maxine Meeusen, Pauline and Donald Brower, and an infant sister Josephine; her in-laws: Leonard and Louise Sparks, Crystal Arlene and Robert Kole, and Gayle and William Cain. Also predeceased were several nieces and nephews: Wayne and Allen Meeusen, Janet Smallegan and Dorothy Petroelje.
She is survived by: her children, Kristi and Alfred Cumming of Fenton, Karen and James Hull of Hudsonville, Jill and Tom Bolton of Fredericktown, OH, Joel Sparks of Ann Arbor, and Amy Sparks of Holland. Jean is also survived by her grandchildren: Tristam and Brandon Maddock, Wesley and Darliss Haveman, Erin and Ashley Bigger, Eileen and Joseph Leyhane, Elizabeth and Brian Brower, Alexander and Dana Hull, Benjamin Bolton, Natalie and Dan Scarberry, and Daniel and Katie Bolton. Also surviving are 18 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and a few cousins.
A private family and extended family only visitation and service will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Lakeshore Memorial Services at 11939 James Street, Holland. Visitation is at 10, followed by the service at 11, then a luncheon at 12, with a graveside committal at 1:00 at Rest lawn Cemetery. The service will be live streamed on the Lakeshore Memorial Facebook page for those who cannot attend and for friends. Connect to the Facebook page a few minutes before 11:00. Messages for the family may be left at the lakeshorememorial.com website, where photos are already posted.
The family wishes to thank all the American House staff and residents who befriended and cared for Jean over her years there. A special thanks to the Faith Hospice staff who faithfully ministered to her needs over the past 9 months as she gradually faded away, “one step at a time”, as Jean would always say.
Memorial contributions may be made to ReFrame Ministries (former Back to God Hour) at 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.
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