Helen Elizabeth (Miller) Vande Maele, age 75 of Bitely, formerly of Portage and Mattawan, passed away peacefully in her sleep with her husband by her side at her home. Helen was born on March 6, 1945 in Portage and grew up in Portage, Michigan with her sisters, Elaine and Linda and her brothers, Gary, Chuck, Wesley and Vernon. In 1962, Helen met the love of her life, Fritz Vande Maele and they were married in 1964. They started their family in Portage and then moved to Mattawan where they built a home and raised their 5 children, Christy, Terry, Denny, Greg and Mark. Helen and Fritz spent many weekends at the race track where Fritz was the flag man. Helen enjoyed crafts, snowmobiling and dune bug riding through the woods with Fritz and the kids. Helen and Fritz purchased property in Bitely and spent many weekends walking in the woods and loving nature until their retirement when the moved to Bitely on a permanent basis. Through the years, Helen and Fritz also built home in Florida where they would spend every winter and enjoyed spending time throughout the year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee as well. Helen had a heart of gold and was loved by everyone around her. She was always there if you needed anything and always ready to lend a helping hand. Helen is survived by her husband of 57 years, Fritz of Bitely; her children, Christy (Rob) Wachowicz; Terry Vande Maele; Denny (Elisa) Vande Maele; Greg (Gayle) Vande Maele; Mark (Tracy) Vande Maele; 6 grandchildren, Andrew, Dylan, Sarah, Jason, Ashley, and Justin; her sisters, Elaine Griffith, Linda Lee; her brothers, Chuck Miller, Gary (Linda) Miller Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Sarah and her brothers, Wesley and Vernon. Following Helen's wishes, cremation has taken place and private services will be held at the family home in Bitely. Friends may consider Hospice of Michigan for memorial contributions in memory of Helen. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Vande Maele family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – White Cloud Chapel 231-689-1492 To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Helen Elizabeth Vande Maele, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Scripture Service