Mary Van Heeswyk

Mary Van Heeswyk, 91, of Afton died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, at her home in Afton. Celebration of Life memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, at United Methodist Church in Afton. Rev. Jim Morris will officiate the service. Masks are required by her family and social distancing will be observed. Burial will be at a later date in Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton.

Open visitation with family receiving friends will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Afton. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to United Methodist Church in Afton. Online condolences can be made at www.powersfh.com.

Mary Elizabeth (Groesbeck) Van Heeswyk, daughter of Walter and Elma (Smith) Groesbeck, was born Aug. 31, 1929, on the family farm north of Afton. She attended country school and in 1947 graduated from Afton High School.

Mary was united in marriage to Jakobus ‘Jake’ Harvey Van Heeswyk June 28, 1947, in their home on Browning Street in Afton. They resided there for over 62 years. Mary was a homemaker and took pride in raising her two sons, Harvey and Leslie.

Mary was employed at Wellman Dynamics then at Purolator and retired from Bunn-O-Matic. In their retirement, Mary and Jake enjoyed traveling and taking their camper on trips. She also enjoyed spending time doing crafts, quilting and needle point. She shared her talents with everyone in her family and made a quilt for each of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She loved ice cream.

Mary was one of the foundation stones of the Afton Methodist Church and was a very active member with all of their clubs and organizations. She was a member of the Sunshine Society and attended morning coffee with her Afton Manor Coffee Club.

Mary is survived by her two sons, Harvey (Linda) Van Heeswyk of Afton and Leslie Van Heeswyk of Osceola; four grandchildren: Rob (Robin) Van Heeswyk, Regina (Brent) Lumpkin, Ryan Van Heeswyk and Tracie (Stephen) Renfrow; 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews and a host of good friends.

Mary will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jake in 2009, two grandsons, Eric Van Heeswyk in 1977 and Harvey Van Heeswyk Jr. in 1996, daughter-in-law Debra Van Heeswyk in 2018, sister Sylvia Benedict and two brothers, Ralph and Harold Craig.