Date of Death: June 8, 2025
Service Details
Her family will receive friends Friday, June 13, 2025 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A Scripture service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Fr. R. Mathias officiating. She will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
Obituary Notice
Linda Jane Veronica VanOosterhout, 84, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord Sunday, June 8, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born September 21, 1940 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Louis and Janet (McCrea) Alchermes.
A talented actress, Linda attended C.W. Post University, where she starred in productions of Pygmalion as Eliza Doolittle and of A Streetcar Named Desire as Stella.
She worked for many years at Three Rivers Hospital in business administration.
Linda met the love of her life, Tom VanOosterhout, on a double-blind date. Neither one’s actual date showed up, but the two of them hit it off immediately and they were married August 26, 1976. The couple liked to dance and loved each other’s company, often spending hours in conversation.
She enjoyed watching movies, especially Lord of the Rings, and was a concert-level pianist who favored the music of Chopin, Gershwin, and Mozart. She loved the transition of seasons – particularly from summer to fall – and could frequently be found on her porch reading a book.
But most importantly, she loved her life and her family – engaging with her children and grandchildren, who called her Nana. Linda had a larger-than-life personality, and no one messed with her family, of which she was matriarch! A sassy, lovable woman and a great friend, she endeared herself to everyone with whom she came in contact.
She had a strong faith and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. When times got tough, she got tougher, and when she called for a miracle, miracles happened.
Remaining to cherish Linda’s memory are her best friend of 45 years, Carol Osborn; sons, Kevin Hart (Shelly Zelin), Stephen Hart (Sarah), and Peter VanOosterhout; daughters, Mary Huhnke (Karl) and Jennifer Cooley (John); grandchildren, Sarah Sheteron (Lloyd), Katie Ashbaugh (Steve Scott), Maggie Ashbaugh, and Jadzia Cooley; great-grandchildren, Landon Sheteron, Hunter Swinehart, Gavin Swinehart, Lorelai Winkler, and Addisyn Winkler; brothers, Stephen Alchermes (Dari) and Brian Alchermes (Christy); and sister, Jane Reilly (Joseph).
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Tom VanOosterhout.
Additional Information
Donations in Linda’s memory may be directed to St. Joseph County Victim Services, P.O. Box 572, Mendon, MI 49072. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
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She was an amazing person! So full of joy, laughter and love for everyone around her. Condolences to the family and sending BIG HUGS of comfort at this difficult time. She will be truly missed.
Steve i’m very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a great lady!!!
I was one of the younger cousins,,, too young to know the real scoop. Linda was older, and cool, and mysterious. All of my cousins and I have drifted….but the family and love remains. Posted with love.. from little cousin .. Ronnie
My sister Linda and I had a wonderful and loving relationship, especially when I was very young. She took me to many movies after she received her drivers license. I especially remember her taking me to see Psycho when I was only 10. Wow!!-it scared the C— out of me.
I remember Dad taking me to see her perform in Pygmalion–Dad attended all performances.
As the years rolled by we drifted apart, but reconnected in the early 70’s. WE spent many an evening playing charades.
Later on she introduced me to “Making Bacon”–I loved playing it with her and Tom.
I have to believe that she has joined Tom and the rest of our dearly departed and will continue to laugh and cry at our experiences here on earth until the day we get to join her.
I love and miss you Linny.
Brian is my father, and Linda was my aunt. I have many fond memories of visiting her and her family in Michigan when I little. They had epic Halloween parties.
She and I had similar experiences that I’ll describe here as “mystical.” I used to be terrified of them, but when I was a teenager she spoke to me so matter of factly about these experiences as being a gift from God – proof that life on earth is just the beginning. Her words made me feel less alone, and I will always be grateful to her for that. She was larger than life. She had a fabulous laugh. She told great stories when she held court and commanded a room. She will be missed.
Stephanie Jane Gari (Alchermes)
Linda …such a loving and caring person.
I have so many fond recollections of her .
One such remembrance was of Linda starring in a college production of G.B. Shaw’s , Pygmalion. Her performance as Eliza Doolittle was critically acclaimed as a tour de force..
I was so proud of her as was all of our family.
I love my sister,Linda.
I know that she is now with the Lord and that she is beaming in His Light.
Jennifer,
I was so sorry to read of your mom’s passing. You have my deepest condolences. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Nancy Stears
Wittmann, Arizona
Linda was my favorite cousin and we always had fun times together. She was an amazing woman and will be missed by so many people. But she is finally with her husband and her loving parents, aunts and uncles.