Eloise J. Dezwarte

Eloise DeZwarte, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5, 2025, after a brief illness. Born in Pella, Iowa, Eloise lived a life of love, compassion, and a commitment to uplifting those around her.

After graduating from Pella Christian High School, she attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she met her first husband, David Cooke. Together, they moved to Detroit, Michigan, where they started a family. Eloise was deeply involved in church and community activities, dedicating her time to the civil rights movement, fostering cross-cultural religious awareness, and supporting an inner-city mission affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.

In her early years in Detroit, she was an active member of the Republican Party and once hosted Lenore Romney, wife of Michigan Governor George Romney, for a neighborhood tea. The events of the 1967 Detroit Riots and her involvement with the inner-city mission deepened her commitment to civil rights and social justice causes, shaping her activism in meaningful ways.

In 1971, after a brief stay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Eloise and her family relocated to Columbus, Ohio. She began her professional career as a medical secretary but soon ventured out on her own, founding a successful financial planning services firm emphasizing financial education for women. Eloise ran her business with determination and care until her retirement in 2000.

During this time, she divorced, and shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Denison University Professor John Kessler. Eloise and John were married in 1987 and shared a life filled with joy and adventure until his passing in 2022.

Eloise cherished the Granville, Ohio, community, where she built lasting friendships, grew her business, and celebrated the richness of life. She was known for her warmth, wit, and unwavering kindness. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Eloise is survived by her brother, Roger DeZwarte; her three children, David (Yvonne), Judy, and Tom (Carmen); her two stepchildren, David (Kate) and Mary Clare (Jamal); nine grandchildren, David, Samantha (Mike), Brandon, Andrea, Diana (Pat), Natalie, Seth, Owen, and Ella Kessler; and two great-grandchildren, Masen and Dylen. She was predeceased by her parents, Marion and Helen DeZwarte; her sister, Lola VanWeelden (Leroy); and husbands, David Cooke and John Kessler.

Eloise’s legacy of love, compassion, and service lives on in the many lives she touched.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Otterbein at Granville, 2158 Columbus Road, Granville, Ohio. Memorial donations may be made to a charity consistent with her values.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Eloise and her family.  Please visit www.McPeekHoekstra.com to share a special memory or to leave a message of condolence for the family.