Rebecca Louise Henline

Rebecca “Becky” Louise Henline, most recently of Middleville, MI, lived to see her 54th birthday and then went to spend the rest of her birthdays with Jesus. Becky passed away peacefully on August 3, 2024, after a long illness, which she battled with courage and faith. She was surrounded by her loving family. Throughout her too-short life, Becky defied the label of “special needs.” Instead, she offered the world her “special gifts.” One of those gifts was her drive for accomplishment that was evident from an early age. She enjoyed going to school, earned a high school diploma in 1995, and worked for several employers. As part of a big active family, she participated in sports and activities along with her siblings. Whether it was swimming, basketball, volleyball, or bowling, Becky’s athletic skills were impressive. Nowhere was that more evident than with her participation in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. Competing with 3000 other Olympians from throughout the world, she finished in the top five in the cross-country skiing competition. She received the Special Olympics 2009 Female Athlete of the Year award for Southeast Wisconsin and was presented with her award at Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers. Becky was artistic, too. She loved to create and mail colorful greeting cards for her family to celebrate their birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. She would often make them gifts as well—Diamond Art creations that recognized the recipient’s hobbies, pets or interests. Becky also loved the many kids in her extended family, and they loved her right back. She was a good friend and never forgot the friends she made, particularly those she lived with for several years at Shepherd’s Ministry and Anchor Ministries in Wisconsin. And they didn’t forget her, either, as they offered her encouragement during her long illness. Among Becky’s other favorite things were dogs, Alan Jackson, Lucky Charms, pizza, lakes, boat rides, four-wheeling, rollercoasters, dining out; Velvet and other stuffies, and candy—especially chocolate. But most of all, she loved Jesus. Her Bible was never far from her. And she loved writing down verses—sometimes on posters, such as the one that graced her hospice room: “Bless the LORD, O my soul. Worship his holy name.” Throughout Becky’s difficult illness, her faith never left her. In her final days, a friend called her in tears. Becky reached out to comfort her and said, “I’ll be fine. I’ll be in heaven!” Becky is survived by her mother, Joan Henline; sisters, Debra (Gordon) Pullen, Robin (Kevin) Swiderski, Beverly (John) Bosserman; brothers, Gerald (Dusti) Henline, Jeff (Jamee) Larsen, Lowell “Chip” (Kate) Henline; 13 nieces and nephews, Sarah, Michael, Emily, Megghan, Katelyn, Courtney, Elizabeth, Lowell “Trey,” Joshua, Brady, Max, Olivia and Jacob. She was preceded in death last year by her father, Lowell E. Henline, and her grandparents, A.J. and Leona Miner. Visitation with the family will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 14th at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft Ave. SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. The service will be at 11 a.m. at the church with a luncheon to follow. The family will proceed to Ridgeview Memorial Gardens, 5151 8th Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49318 for a short memorial service following the luncheon. Memorial gifts may be made to Faith Hospice, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive, SW, Byron Center, MI 49315 or Special Olympics, 2600 Virginia Ave NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20037.