Exhibit 99.2

                       [FIRST EVERGREEN LETTERHEAD]



                                                              July 13, 1998

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

     On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of First Evergreen
Corporation ("First Evergreen"), I cordially invite you to attend the
Special Meeting of Stockholders of First Evergreen (the "Special Meeting")
to be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on August 20, 1998 at the Oak Lawn
Facility of First National Bank of Evergreen Park located at 9400 South
Cicero Avenue, Suite 200, Oak Lawn, Illinois.

     At this important Special Meeting, stockholders will be asked to adopt
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 21, 1998 (the "Merger
Agreement"), between First Evergreen and Old Kent Financial Corporation
("Old Kent"), pursuant to which First Evergreen will merge with and into
Old Kent, with Old Kent as the surviving corporation (the "Merger").  In
the Merger, each share of First Evergreen common stock (other than shares
held by holders who perfect dissenters' rights and shares held by First
Evergreen in its treasury) will be converted into 32.0312 shares of Old
Kent Common Stock, with cash paid in lieu of fractional share interests. 
The terms of the Merger Agreement, as well as other important information
relating to Old Kent, First Evergreen and the combined company, are
contained in the accompanying Prospectus and Proxy Statement.  Please give
this document your careful attention.

     The Board of Directors of First Evergreen has carefully reviewed and
considered the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.  The Board of
Directors has also received the written opinion, dated as of April 21, 1998
and updated as of the date of the enclosed Prospectus and Proxy Statement,
of Hovde Financial, Inc., First Evergreen's financial advisor, that the
Merger Agreement is fair from a financial point of view to the stockholders
of First Evergreen.  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FIRST EVERGREEN HAS
CONCLUDED THAT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE PROPOSED MERGER ARE IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF FIRST EVERGREEN, AND UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT FIRST EVERGREEN STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE MERGER
AGREEMENT.

     I encourage you to attend the Special Meeting in person.  Whether or
not you do, please read the Prospectus and Proxy Statement and then
complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope.  This will save First Evergreen additional expense
in soliciting proxies and will ensure that your shares are represented. 
Please note that you may vote in person at the Special Meeting even if you




have previously returned the proxy card.  However, if you are a stockholder
whose shares are not registered in your own name, you will need additional
documentation from your record holder to vote in person at the Special
Meeting.

     Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.


                                   Sincerely,


                                   /s/Kenneth J. Ozinga
                                   Kenneth J. Ozinga
                                   CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
                                     OFFICER