Grand Haven Evening Tribune  September 25, 1895

Death of Mrs. Derk Vyn.

   The long and useful career of Mrs. Derk Vyn came to an end this morning.  Although it had been hourly expected, her death caused general sadness in this community where she was known and lived so long.  Her death removes another one of the old residents of Grand Haven.

   Mrs. Vyn was born in Overisel, the Netherlands, in 1833, and consequently was 62 years of age.  Her maiden name was Clara Troost.  When fourteen years old her parents immigrated to America and were among the first colonists to settle in Holland.  They arrived shortly after the celebrated Van Raalte, who is known as the pioneer of Holland settlement in this country.  Mr. Vyn arrived in 1848, one year later than his wife to be.  To show the nature of the country in those days, after arriving in Baltimore, the party with which Mr. Vyn came over had to travel all the way overland to Holland and the journey consumed many days.

   On the 27^th of November, 1852, occurred the marriage of Miss Troost to Derk Vyn.  Previous to that time Mrs. Vyn had been here a number of years and at the time of her marriage was employed in the family of Rev. Wm. M. Ferry.  Mrs. and Mrs. Vyn have lived a happy married life all these years, reared a family of children that are a-credited to any community and have labored hand in hand for nearly half a century.

   Mrs. Vyn was a very rugged, active woman and could work with a will.  It is said of her, that in early days, before the railroads, she had walked to and from Grand Haven and the southern part of the country, Holland, Drenthe and Zeeland. Over the paths through the woods.

   Mr. and Mrs. Vyn have lived during all their years of married life on the same lot that their home is on now.

   Her husband, Mr. D. Vyn and the following children survive Mrs. Vyn;  Nicholas, Mrs. James A. Belkema of North Muskegon; Albert, Lambert, Martin, and John Vyn.  Also the following sisters; Mrs. Jane LeRoy of Wyoming, Kent Co.; Mrs. John Richards of Grand Rapids and Mrs. DeVries of Jamestown.  A brother was killed many years ago by a falling tree.  Both parents have been dead many years.

  Mrs. Vyn was taken sick last January and has been troubled ever since with a failing of the heart.  Dropsy set in sometime ago and for the past two weeks the end had been looked for.  She bore her suffering patiently and with a Christian spirit and calmly awaited the end, conscious to the last.  When the last hour struck, her spirit took its flight to that mysterious realm, returned to the God who gave it.  The thread of hope that linked her life to those who were near and near to her, was snapped, and she crossed over the sea of death to dwell in the great beyond.  In an age not yet old, a loved and indulgent mother, a dear and loving wife, and a kind neighbor is taken away.

   But the example she set in her dying moments served to calm her most beloved.  Only a few days ago she called the family about her; told them not to mourn and give them some advice, when she would be gone.  It was a delight of her last days while in the sick bed to recite and sing some of the grand old gospel hymns which she loved so well.  One in particular “Nearer My God To Thee,” was on her lips last.

   Her husband and children received the sympathy of every one in the community.

   Funeral will be Friday afternoon at two o’clock from the First Reformed church with services in both English and Dutch.  Rev. Dosker of Holland, Rev. VanZanten of Muskegon and Rev. DeBruyn will conduct the services.  It was one of Mrs. Vyn’s dying wishes that Rev. Dosker and Rev. VanderVeen be at her funeral, but the latter’s illness will probably prevent his being here.