Betty Lou Mullinax

MULLINAX, Betty Lou of Kalamazoo Betty Lou Mullinax, 76, departed this life to make music with the heavenly choir on October 18, 2006 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born on June 29, 1930 in Fremont, Michigan and was the youngest of nine children born to Henry and Reka DeWeerd Vredeveld. She spent her childhood and early adult years in Fremont, Michigan until 1953 when she married Ernest Mullinax. Shortly thereafter, she and Ernie moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where she remained until the last few months of her life. Music was always important to Betty. After she taught herself to play the piano, she continued teaching piano lessons for over forty years. She once estimated she had taught nearly 2000 children how to play. Her love of Christ was important to her and she insisted that each of her students learn to play hymns. She was a life long member of the Christian Reformed Church and currently was a member of Second Christian Reformed Church in Kalamazoo. Along with her passion for music, Betty enjoyed many hobbies?knitting, painting, cross stitch, crossword puzzles and reading to name a few. She was employed by Gilmore Brothers Department Store, Ihling Brothers Everard Company and American Instruments Corporation. In her early retirement years, she spent many hours volunteering at Portage Community Outreach Center PCOC and in 1997 both she and Ernie were presented with the STAR award by the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo for their volunteering work. Betty?s memory will be cherished by her husband of 53 years, Ernie; two sons, Dave Gail of Portage, Michigan and Mark Barbara Osburn of Grand Rapids, Michigan; two grandchildren, Amber and Jessica Mullinax; one great grandchild, Caden Price; two brothers and one sister, Hessel Vredeveld, Richard Vredeveld and Lois Van Straten; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters, Jeanette McKinney, Harold Vredeveld, Alvin Vredeveld, Nora Mae Van Baalen and Lenora Bode. A celebration of Betty?s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 26 at the Second Christian Reformed Church 3015 Nichols Road with the Rev. Dr. Warren Lammers officiating. Relatives and friends may meet Betty?s family on Wednesday, October 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Langeland Family Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. A private family interment will be held in Portage Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a memorial contribution to the music program of Second Christian Reformed Church