Autumn DeWild's Obituary
Autumn DeWild, age 48, of Zeeland, Michigan passed away on January 7, 2026 in the care of hospice and staff at the Medilodge, after the long journey that is dementia. She was born in Iowa to Marcia and Ken DeWild, and lived in Michigan much of her life. Arriving in the fall season, she was literally mom and dad’s “Autumn Rose” surprise.
Autumn loved Jesus and loved to dance, and dance she did after receiving life changing open-heart surgery as a child. She was a member of the Living Light Dance Company and performed liturgical and interpretive dance to inspirational (and Bumpin’!) music before numerous audiences locally and regionally: congregations, camps, weddings, conventions, even dancing in the rotunda of our state’s Capitol before elected representatives. She considered herself a pal of fitness guru Richard Simmons, and she could prove it.
Autumn had Down Syndrome and was one of the first students with DS to graduate from Zeeland High School, back when that was a fresh idea. She took continuing education classes at the local college and art studio, enjoying friends and the generous talent of her instructors. Autumn also worked as a dishwasher, greeter, and bagged groceries at Family Fare for many years.
She was a country girl who wasn’t afraid to shovel out stalls or take a nice hike if the weather was decent. Autumn had a special way with spicy barn cats and could pet them nonchalantly when no one else could even get near them. She also enjoyed painting, praying, detailed adult coloring books, and riding shotgun (arms in the air like a roller coaster) while taking entrance and exit ramps, FAST. It was nearly impossible to drive by any place that served ice cream without her pointing out that fact; she had excellent priorities.
Autumn could laugh with the kind of unfettered I-can-barely-breathe glee that was truly contagious, but she could also be downright stubborn and knew what she wanted. If there was a spontaneous greeter at the front of the building (and not exclusively at church either), it was often her. One time a large and loud Harley Davidson club darkened the doorway of a local restaurant and let the air clean out of the place. Autumn immediately left her seat, slipping right past dad with alacrity, and walked straight up to the first 6’3” total Stranger-Danger in chaps and gave him a surprise hug…looking up at him still wearing a big smile full of I’m not done with my meal quite yet. We witnessed her spontaneously melt the hearts of some tough cats, more than once; Autumn was oblivious to the things in life that don’t matter. She knew exactly how to have a good crush too and adored her camp counselors, teachers, pastors, and mentors.
Autumn was preceded in death by her parents, and grandparents (Gerrit & Pauline, and George & Georgia). She leaves behind her brother George and sister-in-law Melissa, niece Skylar, and nephew Logan, along with a horde of family and friends.
Her ashes will be scattered on her favorite day, and Autumn’s name will be carved on the GVSU Memorial Wall.
In the place of a funeral or sending flowers, instead Autumn would want you to make some art today, give someone a hug and ask them to dance (yeah right now!), or stop in your tracks when opportunity strikes and practice admiration for a creature that should simply be appreciated, even if only from a distance.
Local donations matter to folks like Autumn, and your generosity is welcomed at: https://artsinmotionstudio.org/donate/, https://noorthoekacademy.org/donate, and https://gvsu.edu/giving.
Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave. Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210
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