Father Of Michigan Sextuplets Dies Suddenly At Age 39
HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) — The father of Michigan's first surviving set of sextuplets has died at age 39.
A relative says Ben Van Houten suffered a heart attack Wednesday night after setting up a trampoline at his home in the Holland-area in western Michigan. Sue Herweyer of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home in Holland confirmed the death and says the funeral home is handling arrangements.
In 2004, Van Houten's wife, Amy, gave birth to six children over three days at a Grand Rapids hospital. They're now 10 years old. The kids were joined by a sister, now 7.
Father-in-law Calvin Reimink tells The Grand Rapids Press that Van Houten was playing with his children when the heart attack occurred.
Reimink says knowing Van Houten even for one day was a "blessing."
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