Babe Ruimveld

Went to her heavenly home on Friday, December 6, 2019 at the age of 91. Claribel was born in Kalamazoo on February 24, 1928, the daughter of the late John & Esther (Baker) Simpson. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High and the Grand Rapids School of Bible & Music. As an accomplished pianist and organist, she served her Lord in area Bible churches, and was a member of Calvary Bible Church. She was also involved in Awana & Olympian Children’s clubs at the church. She worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. for over 30 years. Claribel loved children, so she pursued a teaching degree at Western Michigan University, followed by a Master’s degree in Teaching of Reading. She was a Reading Specialist at the Calhoun County Juvenile Home and Nazareth Reading Center, and did private tutoring and piano lessons. In 1951, she married Albert J. Ruimveld, who preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2004. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Fred Beck; her brother, Jack Simpson; and three half-brothers and three half-sisters. Surviving are her twin daughters, Jaci Silman and Jeri (Jim) Silman; a son, Jeffrey Neal Ruimveld; a grandson, Jonathan Silman; special niece, Judy (Paul) Steinbacher; two half-sisters and one half-brother, Marian Vickery, Linda Reed, and Melvin Simpson; and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.