Delinda Kathleen "Linnie" Van Arkel

Delinda "Linnie" Kathleen Van Arkel, 67, of Berrien Center, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 7, 2025 at her home in Berrien Center. She was born March 1, 1958 in Covert, MI to Horace and Fanetta (Shipley) Jackson.

The family will receive guests from 4pm, concluding with a prayer service at 6pm, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. A celebration of life will be held at 11am, Thursday, November 13, 2025 at the funeral home, proceeding to Mission Hills Memorial Park for committal. Memorial contributions can be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service, www.bccancerservice.org.

Linnie had many passions in life. She had a huge heart that cared for all animals, children, flowers, and butterflies, but nothing was more important to her than family. And everyone became family to Linnie – nobody left an interaction with Linnie a stranger. "Nannying" was her favorite job and one she took pride and joy in. She was also coined the family photographer; she had a knack for capturing moments at all showers, weddings, and new birth experiences. Her nieces and nephews fondly recall the many beach days, make-up sessions with her infinite Mary Kay products, tanning trips and car rides Linnie took them on as children, referring to her lovingly as "the fun aunt". She had a larger-than-life personality that also enjoyed the quiet, peaceful moments like enjoying the blue birds and hummingbirds at her many feeders or collecting and releasing monarch butterflies.

Linnie will be missed by her husband of 43 years, Michael Van Arkel, whom she married on May 29, 1982 in St. Joseph, MI; her siblings, Shelby (the late Thomas Edward) Merick, Paulette (the late Paul) Kiser, Pastor Doral "Doyle" (Linda) Jackson, and Becky Jackson; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, in-laws and other extended family.

She is preceded in death by her siblings, Barbara Carpp, Pastor Jerry (Angela) Jackson, Mary Cantrell, Delois Hunsberger, and Kim (Alois "Al") Wolf; and her parents.