DECEMBER 2009 Obituaries

Clarence E. Bobb '50 (11/1/09)

Marion Pless '64 Burger (9/26/09)

Richard V. Dievendorf '44 (9/25/09)

Kathryn Mae Fredricks '34 (11/4/09)

H. Sidney Heersma '30 (10/11/09)

Kenneth J. Heuvelman '52 (10/28/09)

Shirley Knol '49 Leslie (8/26/09)

John C. Russell '65 (9/9/09)

Carol Buseman '53 Shay (8/13/09)

Helen Wagner '48 Spicuzza (10/21/09)

Charles P. Truby '61 (10/8/09)

Benjamin R. Van Slooten '51 (8/8/09)

Jennie DeVries '36 Venhuizen (10/26/09)

Marion Pless ’64 Burger of Fishkill, N.Y., died suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. She was 67.

She was born Sept. 24, 1942, in New York City, the daughter of Andrew Pless and the late Marion Lukes Pless.

After attending Hope, she graduated from American University in Washington, D.C., with a degree in political science. She earned a master’s degree in psychology/comparative religions.

She was employed as an administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency in New York City until her retirement.

She was a member of Marble Collegiate Church and she attended Unity Church, both in Manhattan.

She enjoyed helping others and spent much time helping the homeless, and she volunteered every Thanksgiving at a soup kitchen in Manhattan. She especially loved Manhattan, animals and wildlife.

She was the former daughter-in-law of Chief Justice Warren Burger of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Survivors include her father, Andrew Pless of Cold Spring, N.Y.; her sister, Jane VanBeek of Cold Spring; a nephew, Ryan VanBeek, and his fiancé, Donna Mastromonaco, of Newburgh, N.Y.; a niece, Corinne VanBeek of Manhattan; and an aunt, Marie Lukes of Florida.

Richard V. Dievendorf ’44 of Mt. Dora, Fla., died on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was 88.

He was born in Fultonville, N.Y., to Lawrence and Sylvia (Martin) Dievendorf on Dec. 27, 1920.

He was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He then returned to Hope and graduated in 1946.

He was a devoted employee of the Keeler Brass Company in Grand Rapids, Mich., for 36 years.

He enjoyed golfing, jazz music, dancing, reading and the joy of lifelong learning.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis, Fla., and a former member of East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids. He volunteered with the West Michigan Gleaners and served as a past member of the Pilgrim Manor board of directors. He was very generous in his support of these and other worthy charities and organizations.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Den Herder ’44 Dievendorf, and his sister, Rose.

Survivors include three sons, David ’70 (Nancy) Dievendorf, Robert (Kathleen) Dievendorf, and Mark (Mary Jo) Dievendorf; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and his special friend, Veronica Sayers of Mt. Dora, Fla.

Kathryn Mae Fredricks ’34 of Holland, Mich., died on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. She was 97.

During her career, she worked in the dental office of John Sterenberg D.D.S. and later in the office Holland Christian School. After she retired, she worked for many years as a teaching assistant in community education, teaching English as a second language to people from many countries.

She was a member of the 14th Street Christian Reformed Church and found many opportunities to serve, including with the Young Calvinist Federation, as a Sunday school teacher, and as piano player for the New Richmond and West Olive chapels. She celebrated her 70th birthday while working in Peru with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Survivors include her sister, Juliana Rypma, and sister-in-law, Sue Fredricks.

H. Sidney Heersma ’30 of Kalamazoo, Mich., died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. He was 100.

He was born on July 11, 1909, in Chicago, Ill., the oldest of five children of Harry and Susie (Boersma) Heersma. He attended public elementary schools in Chicago and Oak Lawn, Ill., and Englewood High School in Chicago by commuter train.

He received his M.D. from Rush Medical College at the University of Chicago after a one-year internship at the Evangelical Hospital in Chicago in 1935. After residencies in pediatrics at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, he established the first pediatrics practice in Kalamazoo on Dec. 1, 1937. He spent the next 61 years treating and advocating for children, particularly those with special needs.

He and Ellen Marie Westerveld were married on June 21, 1934. She preceded him in death in March 2001.

He was a member and former elder and consistory member of Bethany Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, and had served as president and board member of the church’s Friendship House, renamed Heersma-Schrock Friendship House in July 2009 in honor of Dr. Heersma and his daughter.

He was very active in the community while practicing medicine. He was on the medical staff of both Bronson and Borgess hospitals, was a member of the Kalamazoo Academy of Medicine and the Michigan State Medical Society, and was a member and past president of the Western Michigan Pediatric Society. He had a special interest in the handicapped and was a member of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. He was pediatrician for St. Agnes Foundling Home for 33 years; he served the Major Disease Clinic for more than 30 years in the area of physically and mentally handicapped children. His last practice was at the MSU-Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies in an attention-deficit-disorder-hyperactivity clinic for children. He was honored for these and other community efforts and many board memberships and presidencies, such as the Child Guidance Clinic, County Mental Health board, Pine Rest Christian Counseling Center, McKercher Workshop and Crippled Children’s Society, and the Association for Retarded Citizens. The Bronson Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was named after him in 1978. In 1991 Hope honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 1996, he received the E. Earl Wright Community Achievement Award from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.

From January 1997 until March 2001, his time was occupied with caring for his wife.

He enjoyed sports in his earlier years, especially tennis and badminton. In January 2002 he was an Olympic Torch-bearer. In his later years, he enjoyed playing bridge and fishing, and he especially enjoyed meeting with former patients and parents whom he got to know in his 60 years of practice in Kalamazoo.

Dr. Heersma established the Heersma-Schrock Family Scholarship Fund at Hope.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Claudia Schrock, last January; and siblings, Gerald Heersma ’34 and Teresa Giese.

Survivors include his son, James Sidney Heersma of Bloomington, Ind.; four granddaughters, including Frances Schrock ’89 Traisman and Abigail Schrock ’93; six great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Ruth Polk of Phoenix, Ariz., and James ’46 (Dottie) Heersma of Blue River, Wis.

Kenneth J. Heuvelman ’52 of Allendale, Mich., died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. He was 80.

He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, serving in the Central Intelligence Corps of the U.S. Army.

After graduating from Hope, he earned a specialist degree in special education at Western Michigan University.

He was a caring, compassionate family man.

His lifelong career in teaching and administration included serving as assistant superintendent of the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, director of special education. He was instrumental in the start of the Ottawa Area Intermediate Center.

He was a charter member of the Allendale Lions Club, 1964. He actively gave of his time and talents in the churches he attended, most recently at Fellowship Reformed Church.

He was an outdoor enthusiast who especially enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Carol Vanden Brink Heuvelman; his children, Jack (Judy) Heuvelman of Knoxville, Tenn., and Jill (Craig) Bowles of San Diego, Calif.; five grandchildren; his siblings, Henry (Florence) Heuvelman and Marcia (Nelson) DeJonge; and his sisters- and brother-in-law, Joan (Bill) Sturrus and Shirley Vanden Brink.

Shirley Knol ’49 Leslie of Leesburg, Fla., died on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. She was 81.

She was born in Oak Park, Ill., and moved to Leesburg from Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1989.

She was a member of the New Hope Presbyterian Church of Eustis, Fla.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Craig Leslie ’51; her children, Dwight ’72 (Beth) Leslie of Lakeland, Fla., Nancy (Rick) Atchison of Ottawa, Ontario, Bill (Betsy) Leslie of Cincinnati, and Linda Leslie ’82 of Cincinnati; and six grandchildren.

John C. Russell ’65 of Indianapolis, Ind., died on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009. He was 65.

He was born Oct. 9, 1943, to John T. and Gertrude (Nauta) Russell. He was a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School.

He was first employed in the construction industry with P.R. Duke, and later became owner/operator of Beckman Corporation for more than 10 years.

He was a member of Eastgate Christian Church, where he was chairman of the elders. He loved to sing in the church choir, and he was part of a male singing group called “Air Males.”

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Donna (Eaton) Russell; his children, Jon. T. (Chanin) Russell, Lisa (Edward) Pluckebaum, and Julie (Mitchell) Robinson; his sister, Roberta Russell ’62 Ponis; and six grandchildren.

Carol Buseman ’53 Shay of Fruitland, Mich., died on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009. She was 78.

She was born July 3, 1931, and raised in Hawthorne, N.J.

She served with her husband, Mervyn Shay ’51, in his ministry with the United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death in 2004.

She was a longtime member of the Fruitland United Methodist Church, where she received as much joy as she gave. She played piano for the Payette United Church of Christ and sang in many choirs. Sharing her music and her faith in God sustained her in life. She had the privilege of bringing many talents to the Church Women United, including serving a term as president.

Survivors include her sister, Evelyn (Jake) Schaad of The Villas, N.J.; her daughter, Kathryn Shay of Vancouver, Wash.; sons, Nathan (Carol) Shay of Boise, Idaho, and Jerry (Donna) Shay of Salem, Ore.; and five grandchildren.

Helen Wagner ’48 Spicuzza of Mason, Mich., died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. She was 83.

She was born April 25, 1926, in Reserve, Wis., to Charles and Irene (Scotsma) Wagner.

She was a resident of Mason for more than 50 years. She taught at Mason Middle School for 33 years and was supervisor of teachers for eight years at Michigan State University.

She loved travel, gardening and playing bridge.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Gerald VanSingel ’49 and Joseph Spicuzza.

Survivors include her two sons, Dirk (Barb) VanSingel of Mason, Mich., and Chris ’77 (Kathy) VanSingel of Florida; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Charles P. Truby ’61 of Wilmington, N.C., died on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009. He was 72.

He was born in Chicago, Ill., on June 28, 1937, to Vincent Truby and Katherine B. Truby.

He received his doctorate degree in microbiology and chemistry from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in microbiology and biochemistry from Arizona State University.

He served in executive vice president, vice president and director positions with STERIS-Isomedix Services, American Home Product’s Sherwood Davis & Geck, Becton Dickinson & Company, and the NASA Apollo program. He was a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner and a Senior Examiner with the Missouri Quality Award. He was a senior member of American Society for Quality and Emeritus member of the American Society for Microbiology.

He was president of Porter’s Neck Homeowner’s Association and served on the boards of Chamber Music of Wilmington, the Arboretum Foundation, Friends of Oakdale Cemetery, and the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Nancy Truby; three children, Chuck (Deanna) Truby of Greensboro, N.C., Lauren (Mike) Vollmin of Wilmington, and Tim (Tracey) Truby of Cincinnati, Ohio; six grandchildren; and two sisters, Katherine Ewoldt of Banning, Calif., and Sandi (David) Perillo of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Benjamin R. Van Slooten ’51 of West Olive, Mich., died on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009. He was 84.

He was a veteran of World War II who served in Europe.

After the war he attended Hope and also the University of Michigan, where he earned an MBA.

He was the controller for Reynolds Metal Company in Wyoming, Mich., and in his retirement continued to work each tax season, including this year, preparing income tax returns.

He loved the outdoors. He was a longtime member of First Reformed Church of Zeeland, Mich. He was an avid fan of his grandchildren’s activities and was known to critique the referees in making the correct calls.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Marian Van Slooten; his son, Benjamin Van Slooten III of Holland, Mich.; his daughter, Ruth Van Slooten ’80 (Mark) Howard of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and two grandchildren, including Scott Howard ’12. He is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Gene Goorman of Grand Haven, Mich., Alma Boeve of Holland, Mich., Gladys (Jay) Dykhuis of East Saugatuck, Mich., Beatrice Boeve of Zeeland, Evelyn Lenters of Holland, Harvey (Donna) Helder of Holland and Carolyn (Mike) Vander Ploeg.

Jennie DeVries ’36 Venhuizen of Fulton, Ill., died on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. She was 94.

She was born Dec. 28, 1914, in Newton Township, Ill., to Jacob and Eva (Strating) DeVries. She was a 1932 graduate of Erie (Ill.) Community High School.

She taught for five years in a one-room country school, and most recently taught for 16 years at the Fulton Elementary School.

She was a member of Trinity Reformed Church in Fulton, and of the church’s Hannah Mission and Priscilla Society. She also served as a Sunday school teacher and Bible study group leader. She was recently recognized as the oldest member of Trinity Reformed Church.

She enjoyed all needlework, including knitting, crocheting and cross stitch. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching TV game shows.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jacob Venhuizen, in 2004; one son, Robert G. Venhuizen; one daughter, Lois Van Zee; and two siblings, Marie VanZuiden and Herman DeVries.

Survivors include two sons, Stanley (Maryellen) Venhuizen of Fulton and Gary (Barbara) Venhuizen of Lindale, Texas; one son-in-law, Terry Van Zee of Boulder, Colo.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Ella Mae (Alfred) Norman of Fulton and John ’41 (Ruth) DeVries of Palo Alto, Calif.