Joanne Barbara Van Den Berg
December 18th, 1942 - June 29th, 2025
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Joanne's Obituary
Joanne Van Den Berg, 82, of Bridgman, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2025.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, with Rev. Jon D. Bendewald officiating. Burial at Riverview Cemetery will follow. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 to 12 p.m., Thursday, July 3, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan or The Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter. Those wishing to sign Joanne’s memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Joanne was born in St. Joseph, on December 18, 1942, to Edward and Lucille (Lausman) Zeilke. Joanne married the love of her life, Jay Van Den Berg on October 21, 1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville and together they raised three children. Joanne was an extremely hardworking woman both at home and with various professional positions. Joanne was an accordion player and member of the family polka band, The Van Den Berg Brothers. She was also a long-time member of First Congregational Church, enjoyed the beach, boating, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Joanne is survived by her children, Karmen (Layne) Brower of St. Joseph, Kimberly Van Den Berg of Ann Arbor, and Kellie (Brian) Eagle of Fishers, IN.; grandchildren, Lauren (Tyler) Ploeg, Jay & Benjamin Brower and Zachary Eagle; and great -granddaughter, Blakely Ploeg.
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Van Den Berg; parents, Edward and Lucille Zeilke and a brother, Larry Zeilke.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, with Rev. Jon D. Bendewald officiating. Burial at Riverview Cemetery will follow. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 to 12 p.m., Thursday, July 3, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan or The Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter. Those wishing to sign Joanne’s memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Joanne was born in St. Joseph, on December 18, 1942, to Edward and Lucille (Lausman) Zeilke. Joanne married the love of her life, Jay Van Den Berg on October 21, 1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevensville and together they raised three children. Joanne was an extremely hardworking woman both at home and with various professional positions. Joanne was an accordion player and member of the family polka band, The Van Den Berg Brothers. She was also a long-time member of First Congregational Church, enjoyed the beach, boating, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Joanne is survived by her children, Karmen (Layne) Brower of St. Joseph, Kimberly Van Den Berg of Ann Arbor, and Kellie (Brian) Eagle of Fishers, IN.; grandchildren, Lauren (Tyler) Ploeg, Jay & Benjamin Brower and Zachary Eagle; and great -granddaughter, Blakely Ploeg.
Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Van Den Berg; parents, Edward and Lucille Zeilke and a brother, Larry Zeilke.
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