June 2011 Obituaries

Edward Beckman '66 (04/09/11)

Kathleen Miersma '67 Bjork (03/20/11)

Charles Boonstra '42 (04/03/11)

Ruth Tempas '50 Buehler (04/20/11)

Helen Burroughs '52 (04/03/11)

Kevin Cavanaugh '79 (03/07/11)

Ruth Bartholomew '48 Doggett(04/07/11)

E.Samuel Dudley (02/06/11)

Pearl Laman '42 Eadie (04/29/10)

Loretta VanWieren '45 Fineout (04/06/11)

William Hamelink '51 (04/12/11)

William Heyns '34 (04/02/11)

Anna Jonkman '48 Holland (03/26/11)

Michael Iannuzzi II '03 (04/12/11)

Roger Johnson '50 (03/04/11)

Roger Kuiken '58 (03/22/11)

Carleen Stroop '45 Lemmen (03/21/11)

Rose MacDoniels (4/24/11)

Jill Maxim '88 Macy (04/10/11)

Albert Nicolai '63 (03/17/11)

Wallace Norgrove '50 (08/22/10)

Margaret Rotschaefer '35 Norton (02/23/11)

Carolyn Kremers '42 Rabourn (09/29/10)

William Philip Forbes Shewan '49(04/11/11)

Susan Stoeckly '68 Stitt (03/28/11)

Wilber Stoltz '48 (03/07/11)

Martha Wyatt '67 Thompson (02/15/11)

Nancy Wheeler (04/19/11)

Edward Beckman '66 of Naubinway, Mich., died on Saturday, April 9, 2011. He was 77.

As his middle daughter’s facebook page read, “Go to heaven a shouting Daddy, your work on Earth is done”. This is how Ed would have entered those pearly gates. Ed’s love for the Lord was never ending. Right up until the moment of his passing, he believed in the power of prayer. He wasn’t afraid to face the Devil or anyone who may step in his way.

Edward passed on peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, April, 9, 2011 at 4:50 a.m. at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. He was born August 3, 1933 in Naubinway, the son of George William and Emma Alhbira, better know as “Peaches” (Baker) Beckman. He graduated from high school and then from Hope College, earning a teaching degree, then from Michigan State University with a Bachelors of Science.

Ed lived a very full life; raising seven children, working full-time jobs as the head of a laboratory and bacteriologist at Newberry Regional Mental Health Center, a pastor at Newberry Wesleyan Church, running an adult foster care home of 27 men, operating a restaurant/gas station/motel, formerly know as the Frontier Stop, in McMillan. He even, at times taught classes at Lake Superior State University and North Central Michigan College and had a vast educational background. Ed was a musician, drum player, and he loved to sing. He was never afraid to try something new and was always ready to go. He wanted everyone around him to join in whatever endeavor he was about to pursue and have fun while doing it.

Ed is survived by his seven children, Marrijo Beckman (Jody Clute) of Naubinway and Boyne Falls, Kristine (Brendan) Sullivan, Amy (Dave) Rush of Cheboygan, Brandon (Lisa) Beckman of Alanson, Betsy (Dave) Haley of Petoskey, Andy (Bobbie) Beckman of Cheboygan, and Jami Beckman of Cheboygan; a sister Vivian (Charles) Wilson of Naubinway; 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; special friends Vivian (Hunter) Beckman, Lela Beckman, Dominic Tommy and family; missionaries of Grand Rapids, in which he helped in their venture to the U.S. From Nigeria through ministries, and many other folks he met and helped along the way in which there are too many to list.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, George William Beckman, his mother Emma Alhbira (Baker) Beckman, his step-mother Bernice (McLaughlin) Beckman and his infant son, Blaine Edward.

Kathleen Miersma ’67 Bjork of Platteville, lost her battle to cancer Sunday, March 20, 2011, at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison. She was 65.

She was born on Nov. 28, 1945, in Zeeland, Mich., daughter of Tunis and Alda (Kuyper) Miersma. She was united in marriage to Ralph Bjork on Dec. 5, 1969, in Holland, Mich. She attended Hope College in Holland and received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. She later received her nursing home administrative degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Kathy, for many years, was director of nursing for Southwest Health Center, Cuba City, until her retirement in 2002. After she retired, she cared for her husband, Ralph, with love and compassion. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville, where she was active in the Deborah Circle. Kathy's faith and ministering were evident in all that she volunteered for at church, the pregnancy helpline, and with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

She enjoyed helping Ralph with the writing of his book, "God's Name is Jesus." She enjoyed walking and was proud of being 2009 Citizen of the Year. Kathy loved her husband and family, especially her six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tunis (Alda) Miersma ’41; and a brother, Mark.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph, of Platteville; four sons, Erik Bjork, of Vernon Hills, Ill., David (Nicole) Bjork, of Oconomowoc, Jacob (Katie) Bjork, of Madison, and Jonathan (Laura) Bjork, of Des Moines; six grandchildren, Ethan, Anna, Casie, Allison, Cole and Lauren; a sister, Judy Miersma ’74 (David) Phillips, of Grandville, Mich.; a brother, Thomas (Karen), of Holland; a sister-in-law, Jean (Bill) Decker, of Portage, Mich.; and an aunt, Winifred Miersma, of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Charles Boonstra ’42 of Hood River, Ore., died on Sunday, April 3, 2011 where he had lived for the last three years both at Parkhurst House and Providence Brookside Senior Living Center. . He was 93.

His three children had gathered to be at his bedside -- John Boonstra of Hood River, Suzanne Lake-Daniels from North Branch, N.J., and Michael Boonstra from New York City, N.Y. Chuck touched many lives. As a minister of the Reformed Church of America in Three Oaks, Mich., Orange City, Iowa, Rochester, N.Y., Gilderland Center, N.Y., and then for the Presbyterian Church USA in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Huntsville, Tenn., he married, baptized, brought into church membership, and memorialized countless people.

He was a big part of the growth of the churches and enabled the justice ministries of the communities in which he served. He was still a member of the Presbytery of East Tennessee of the Presbyterian Church at the time of his death. This, his last church in Huntsville, was the home where he leaves his heart. When his successor oversaw the dedication of a new church building, the fulfillment of a life dream of the congregation, Chuck participated in the design of the stained glass windows and commissioned a grand piano in memory of his mother Helen Boonstra who was a beloved friend of the congregation, and who spent many weeks in their presence getting to know them and visiting Chuck for extended stays. She became a close part of their community. So close in fact, that when parishioner Sen. Howard Baker brought then President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy to church one Sunday, she was the only one outside the congregation who was invited to attend. His ashes will be buried in the cemetery he helped create on a hill behind the church and the house where he lived for almost 35 years. A memorial service will be held at that time, in late June.

While Mr. Baker was senator, Rev. Boonstra was invited to Washington D.C. to be chaplain for a day, and opened the Senate Chamber with a prayer that is now part of the congressional record. His mother, family, and friends were in attendance in the gallery and later lunched with Sen. Baker in his office. Chuck was born in Muskegon, Mich., to John Charles Boonstra and Helen Borgerding Boonstra, the oldest of six children.

He performed in many plays in school and loved to fish and hunt, which he continued to do for most of his adult life. As the announcer of a gospel hour featuring a male quartet, broadcast from a local funeral home, he met his wife Olive Mae Green, who was the accompanist. He attended three years at Calvin College and graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He went on to graduate from Western Theological Seminary.

His first church as pastor was in Three Oaks, Mich., where Suzanne was born. For the 30 years that he was married, his wife Olive was organist at each church he served. At his next church in Orange City, Iowa, where his two sons were born, there were people who were not even members who attended his funerals because they admired how uplifting they were and how each one celebrated the life of the deceased instead of dwelling on the death.

In Rochester, N.Y., in the 1960s, he was very active in the Urban League supporting community organizers like Saul Alinsky, seeking to bridge the fractious divide that separated the races in those turbulent years of riots and separation. Part of that movement put pressure on Eastman Kodak and other employers, to institute job training for the hardcore unemployed.

His final service with the Reformed Church was in Guilderland Center in upstate New York. It was there that he divorced and moved to St. Petersburg where he was briefly remarried. Subsequently he became assistant minister at a Presbyterian church, and was then called to the church in Huntsville where he found great joy and fulfillment. His work in Huntsville extended beyond the boundaries of his church. He was active in the local food pantry and ministered to the needs of many in the area. When he found he wasn't able to sit outside in the summer because of the many mosquitoes, he built several houses for purple martins, natures best insect control, which were not known to summer there. The first year they found the little houses and came year after year to his delight and that of his neighbors who commissioned that he build similar accommodation for the birds in their yards. With the help of friends, he also built a huge screened in back porch there where he hosted many parties, especially the eggnog party at Christmas time that was an eagerly anticipated event in the community each year.

He is survived by a sister, Annamae Johnson of Muskegon; his ex-wife Olive; three children; daughter-in-law Rev. Vicky Stifter of Hood River, son-in-law Wayne Daniels of North Branch, N.J.; four grandchildren: Seyeon Malott, Kayla Charles Boonstra and Everley Olive Grace Boonstra; a surrogate grandson from Sarajevo, Darko Latic, and a step granddaughter Glynis Daniels and step great grandson Evan Shieh of Bethlehem, Pa.

Ruth Tempas '50 Buehler of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., died on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at her home. She was 82.

Ruth was born on October 2, 1928 in the town of Lima, Daughter of the late Christian and Gertrude (Rauwerdink) Tempas. She was a 1946 graduated of Waldo High School and attended Hope College. On June 17, 1950 she married Derwin J. Buehler in Hingham. Derwin preceded her in death on August 7, 2008.

Ruth farmed with her husband in the Town of Lima and later enjoyed working at Buehler Furniture from 1975 until her retirement in 1997. Ruth was a member of First Reformed Church in Sheboygan Falls where she was a member of various women’s ministries and a Sunday school teacher. She was also a Salvation Army volunteer and a member of the Sheboygan Falls Chamber of Commerce. Ruth enjoyed spending time in St. Germain and Florida.

Ruth is survived by one daughter, Jean Mersberger of Sheboygan Falls; three sons, Dennis (Chris) Buehler of Manitowoc, Jim (Lynn) Buehler of Sheboygan Falls and John (Connie) Buehler of Sheboygan Falls; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Larry (Jan) Wilterdink of Hingham and two sisters-in-law, Eileen Tempas of Plymouth and Marian Tempas of Sheboygan falls.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Derwin, her daughter Mary Wilterdink, three brothers, John Paul Tempas, Calvin Tempas and Fred (Eunice) Tempas, and a sister Johanna (Cornelius) Leynse.

Helen Burroughs '52 of Colorado Springs, Colo., died on Sunday, April 3, 2011. She was 79.

She skipped grade school and finished high school in 3 years. She left for college at age 15 and worked full time to pay expenses.

She was employed at GE in Schedectady as mathematician on Hermes project. Moved to Syracuse where she worked at GE in marketing studies. She then taught spherical geometry and mathematics in high school for a year. She enrolled in Syracuse university and graduated with a masters in psychology. She became a school psychologist at Camillis.

She also gook five years of art lessons, specializing in portraits at George Mason and the Torpedo factory. She also took 3 years of French cooking lessons from a French chef, plus Chinese cooking lessons. She entertained large groups of friends and organizations on a regular basis

Survivors include her husband, Harold E. Burroughs; and her two daughters, Susan Mallory and Jan Burroughs.

Kevin Cavanaugh ’79 of Waterford, Mich., died at a Clarkston nursing home March 7, following a 10 year battle with multiple sclerosis. He was 56.

He was born on December 28, 1954 in Holland, MI, later moving to Houston, Mercer, WI, and Waterford. He attended Hope College as an English major, while teaching the subject to Japanese students.

Kevin was an award-winning salesman for JCPenney, sold ads for the Yellow Pages and the Lakeland Times in Wisconsin, was a home health aide, and worked as a slot attendant for Lake of the Torches casino. He was also a gifted guitarist, songwriter and columnist who detailed his often humorous adventures in the North woods. Kevin was a kind and caring individual with a wonderful sense of humor, who made friends everywhere he went. God, music, and helping others were the focal points of his life. He loved nature, animals, his dog Wadi, fishing, canoeing, pizza, and donuts.

He was preceded in death by his girlfriend, Judy Bell.

Survivors include a sister, Eileen Clare (Cavanaugh) McCarville; a niece, Tara (Oxley) AuBuchon; a nephew, Tyler Oxley; and many loving relatives and friends.

  Ruth Bartholomew '48 Doggett of Commerce Township, Mich., died on Thursday, April 7, 2011. She was 86.

Ruth was born on Easter Sunday in 1925 in central Illinois. She was raised in Chicago with her five sisters and three brothers. She resided in the village of Commerce for the past 60 years with her husband Bill and their two boys, Ken and Steve. She is also survived by four grandchildren and one great grandson.

Ruth spent many good times with her immediate family and siblings, visiting them all often, and in some cases caring for them in illness. Her generous offering of time and talents was a gift to so many.

Ruth attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She helped pay for her expenses by working at a defense factory during World War II making ball bearings for war planes. She also taught swimming for the Red Cross in Holland. Upon graduation, she taught school in Midland and Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

She and her husband, Bill, settled in the Walled Lake area where she was an elementary teacher, Outdoor Center counselor, and school librarian in the Walled Lake Schools for 25 years. In working for an advanced degree, she studies British Primary Education in England for parts of two summers. She received a national award for her sustained work in Reading is Fundamental (RIF) from the U.S. Department of Education. Ruth’s volunteer interests through the years were many and varied. Her home in the village of Commerce served as a meeting place for Indian Guides and Cub Scouts when her boys were young. She was active for many years at Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian where she had served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and Elder.

She helped as a Red Cross volunteer at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Pontiac. Ruth was a leader in the Walled Lake City Library Friends group. She helped them raise funds for children’s programs. The Friends of the Byers Historic Home and Barn in Commerce Village remember her for her good food and her sustained help at summer ice cream socials. For many years she was a member of the Commerce Township Historical Society and served on the Board of Directors.

At one of the Commerce Township Annual Awards Breakfasts she received the Citizen of the Year Award for her many volunteer activities. Ruth’s hands were always busy. She knit sweaters, socks, and hats for her children and grandchildren.

She caned seats for many of the antique chairs in their home including a Lincoln rocker. She hand stitched all of the quilts she designed and made for family, friends, and retirement homes. Her recipe for homemade angel food cake is now used by the third generation for her family. The flowers she grew from seeds she saved each year helped to light up the family garden each summer.

Ruth died peacefully at her home with her family present on April 7, 2011 after battling ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease for three and a half years.

E. Samuel Dudley E. of Starkville, Miss., died on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011. He was 87.

Born in Norfolk Va., Sam was the only child of Elford (Buddy) and Anna Dudley, fond, supportive parents, and he returned their love wholeheartedly. He graduated from Granby High School, continued his education at he Norfolk Division of William and Mary, furthered his studies at the University of Michigan, where he lettered in gymnastics and attained a B.B.A. in interpersonnel management and ann.’s. and a Ph.D. in speech.

After three years of teaching speech at the University of Alabama, he moved to Starkville, Miss., in 1962 to begin the formation of the Speech Department at Mississippi State University, continuing as its head for twenty years, through its development into the Department of Communication. He was privileged to function in a number of educational roles and activities. He coached a four-person university student team and accompanied them to New York City for a two-time appearance on the nationally televised academic College Bowl. He was a member of a faculty team sponsored by the College of Education which traveled to public schools throughout Mississippi to conduct workshops helping faculties with communication as they approached full-scale integration of the races.

He was the director of the first SOATS program at MSU, a summer program offering academically talented rising high school seniors the opportunity to take college courses and have those credits transferred to the college of their choice upon graduation from high school. He was a member of the first Mississippi Educational Television Board of Directors, helped develop and then teach the first telecommunication course for credit in conjunction with Mississippi Valley State University, was the first host for the ETV program, “Mississippi Roads”, was an exchange professor at Meisei University in Tokyo, Japan; and spent two years at Fuhian Medical College in Fuzhou, Fujian, China, teaching conversational English. Over a period of many years, Sam was a consultant and workshop leader for the International Right of Way Association, training their negotiators in interpersonal communication.

He was president of the Southern Speech Communication Association. He authored two books, “Bridge Across the Pacific: (focusing on bicultural considerations In English conversation) and “The ‘Greatest Generation’: A Closer Look” (A mini-biography which includes his experiences in the Battle of the Bulge, where he spent five months in combat in World War II, earning two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star). Sam was a charter member of Trinity Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Mulder ’46 (Pinks) Dudley, having courted her for 63 years; by a daughter, Sandra (Scott) Shepherd; a son, David (Kathryn) Dudley and their daughter Janet and her husband Dakotah Campbell.

Pearl Laman ’42 Eadie of Conklin, Mich., died on Thursday, April 29, 2010. She was 90.

She was born on December 31, 1919 in Baldwin, Wis., to the late Rev. Arend T. and Anna (Vos) Laman. She married Norman E. Eadie on August 18, 1950 in Conklin, Mich. She was a school teacher in Ravenna until her retirement in 1983.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arend (Anna) Laman (1909); her son-in-law, David McMillan; one brother, Thomas Laman ’37; and two sisters, Harriet Laman ’36 and Margaret Laman ’39 Vegter.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Norman Eadie; a daughter Anna McMillan; three sons, Arden (Geraldine Tensen ’75) Eadie, Norlin (Carol) Eadie and Carol (Brenda) Eadie; 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; one brother, David Laman; several nieces and nephews.

Loretta VanWieren '45 Fineout Loretta VanWieren ’45 Fineout of Williamsburg, Mich., died on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. She was 87.

Loretta was born on June 3, 1023, to the late Henry and Dena (Cook) Van Wieren, in Holland. Loretta grew up in Holland, attending Holland Christian and Hope College, before earning her nursing degree at Presbyterian College in Chicago. Moving to Traverse City to make their home in 1947, she and Allen raised their two sons.

She was a devoted wife, caring mother, and a good friend to many. Loretta enjoyed spending summers at Marion Island and at the beach with her grandchildren.

She worked at Munson Medical Care Facility and taught nursing at Northwestern Michigan College for over 20 years. The impact she had on her students was inspirational, and she continued to receive accolades over the years. She enjoyed many activities, including dancing, bridge and traveling, but perhaps her favorite was playing golf and tennis after retirement with “the girls.” Loretta had kind words of support for all. Loretta’s belief and faith in the Lord was front and foremost in her life, and she lived her life as a devout Christian. She not only shared this with her children and grandchildren but used it as a compass to guide her through life and comfort her near the end. She was a member of Faith Reformed Church of Traverse City.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husbands, Allen Lockman and Les Fineout; her brother and sister-in-law, Gilbert (Dorothy Kooiker ’44) VanWieren ’42.

Survivors include her two sons, Jeff (Sue) Lockman and Steve (Pat) Lockman, all of Williamsburg; four grandchildren, Brooke (Jason) Stroh, of Traverse City, Erin ( Jim) Urban, of Farmington, Minn., Stephanie Lockman, of Alden, and Andrew (Erin) Lockman, of Denver, Colo. Loretta was also great-grandmother to Jack Henry, Noah James and John Christian Lockman, of Denver, Colo. She is also survived by her loving sister, Della Aalderink of Saugatuck; and many other caring family members and friends.

William Hamelink '51 William Hamelink ’51 of Jackson, Mich., died on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. He was 81.

William is a graduate of Hope College and obtained his Master’s Degree in business from Western Michigan University. He worked for American Seating Company in Grand Rapids, Mich. for 20 years and also worked for Johnson Controls in Plymouth, Mich. for 18 years. He was a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society and Sage Society which promotes education for seniors.

Survivors include his wife, Elma Wolters '52 Hamelink; four children, Mark (Fanny) Hamelink of Bluff City, Tenn., Nelva Rae Hamelink of Cincinnati, Ohio, John (Sandy) Hamelink of Madison Heights, Mich., and Scott (Karen) Hamelink of Garden City, Mich.

William J. Heyns ’34 of Grand Rapids, passed away at Raybrook Manor on April 2, 2011. He was 98.

Mr. Heyns was born September 11, 1912 in Roseacres, MS, to Matthijs and Anna (Kersbergen) Heyns. At age 5, "Bill" moved with his parents to Grand Rapids. He graduated from Creston High School (1930), Hope College (1934), and University of Michigan Law School (1937). On April 22, 1939, William Heyns and Anne VanDenBerg were married. After Anne's death in 1978, William married Marian (VanDenBerg) Verwys on January 20, 1979.

He served as Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County (1952-1957). He retired in 1992 after 55 years of law practice. He was Secretary of the G.R. Bar Association in 1942. He was Chairman of the War Bond Drive in 1944. He served on the Board of Central Volunteers, Kent County Community Chest (1947-1950) and was its president in 1949. He served on the board of Bethany Christian Home (1948-1954) and as Vice-President of the board. He was a member of the Grand Rapids Junior Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. As a member of Garfield Park Reformed Church, he served as Deacon and Clerk of Consistory. As a member of Shawnee Park Christian Ref. Church, he served as Elder and Clerk of Consistory. He has been a member of Calvin Christian Ref. Church since 1979.

Survivors include a son, Larry Heyns ’63 of Kalamazoo, Mich; and a daughter, Marcia Heyns ’67 Bowers of St. Joseph, Mich.; his cousin, Cheryl Dalton of Grand Rapids; step-sons, Mark (Gail) Verwys of Rockford, and Craig (Judie) Verwys of Lake Orion; and a step-daughter, Jessica (Jack) Powell of Fairfax, Calif.; three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and great grandchildren; his nephew, Daniel (Pattie) VanDenBerg; and niece, Nancy Vass.

Anna Lucile Jonkman ’48 Holland of Allegan, Mich., died Saturday, March 26, 2011 at her home, surrounded by her friends. She was 85.

Lu was born December 20, 1925 in Holland, the daughter of Fritz and Jennie (Schepers) Jonkman. She received her teaching degree from Hope College, and her Masters from Western Michigan University.

She worked for Allegan Public Schools for many years, and taught at Northward, and as a specialized reading teacher. She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for more than 50 years, Allegan Hospital Service League, Grand Ravine Housing Board, Allegan Public School Library Friends and the Historical Society.

Lu was preceded in death by her husband, Charles in 2002, whom she married in 1956, and her sister, Fritzi Jonkman ‘44 Sennett in 2008.

Surviving include many nieces and nephews, and special friends, Janet Melvin, Melanie Dunbar, Ron and Dana Prentice, Ron and Bobbie Wenzel, and John and Sue Knoll, and many other dear friends.

Michael Iannuzzi II '03 of New York, N.Y., died on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 from a fatal car accident in Manhattan. He was 30.

He graduated from Father Gabriel Richard High School in 1999 and Hope College in 2003. He played football for Hope College and was in the fraternity Phi Tau Nu. He moved to New York to pursue his dream of film production.

Survivors include his parents, Michael and Frances; brothers, James and Christopher; and sister, Mary.

Roger Johnson ’50 of Holland, Mich., died on Friday, March 4, 2011. He was 85.

Roger was born in Grand Rapids, and graduated from Hope College with a B.A. and Western Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater. He married Elizabeth Johnson on September 3, 1948.

Roger served as a pastor in the Reformed Church of America serving in Knox and West Berne, N.Y., Sterling, Ill., Holland, Mich., Lafayette, Ind. and Cicero, Ill. Roger was a loving, caring husband and father for 62 years. He loved preaching the gospel, the Word of God, and he was a compassionate pastor/shepherd of the people. He had a great sense of humor, laughter, and a smile came easily.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John (Minnie) Johnson; his sister, Esther Johnson; and his brother, Arthur Johnson.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Johnson; his children, Esther Johnson ’74 (Jesse) Pedigo, and Timothy Johnson; his grandchildren, Samantha Pedigo ’09 (Andrew) Kadzban ’08 and Zachary Pedigo ’12.

Roger N. Kuiken ’58 of Holland, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus. He was age 80. Roger was a member of Parkside Bible Church and a veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was an Allstate insurance agent for many years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and vacationing in Florida.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Nancy Sell ’55 Kuiken; and children, Terry and Kim Kuiken of Holland, Bryan and Dede Kuiken of Zeeland, Jody and Mark Johnson of Rockford, Chris Kuiken of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Jason, Jenna and Josh Kuiken, Nicole and Brian Barclay, Kendra Kuiken and fiancé, Justin Flokstra, Troy Kuiken, Elan and Stefan Johnson and Christian Antonini; great-grandchild, Emme Grace Barclay; brother and sister, Bruce (Maurine Haas ’63) Kuiken ’63 of Traverse City, Betty (Paul) Essenburg of Holland; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob Bosman of Holland, Jim (Evie) Sell of Plainwell, Diane Gott of Holland; several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Carleen S. Stroop ’45 Lemmen of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2011. She was 87.

She was born on Feb. 24, 1924, in Holland, to Cornelius and Lois (Noggle) Stroop. Carleen graduated from Holland High School in 1941. She married Wayne O. Lemmen on May 22, 1944, while he was in Western Theological Seminary. Together they served six Reformed churches, including Michigan churches at Glen Lake Community, Atwood (now Belltower), and Home Acres in Grand Rapids.

In 1968 Carleen received an L.P.N. degree from Pine Rest School of Nursing, graduating as valedictorian. She invested most of her nursing career caring for geriatric patients. During her early retirement years she and Wayne enjoyed winter traveling. Carleen donated many handmade items for various missions. Her life as pastor's wife, mother, nurse and friend exemplified service to others.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two stepmothers, Gladys and Johanna; two stepbrothers, Randall Stroop (adopted) and Jack Tietsema; and two sisters, Helen (Gordon) Benjamin and Martha "Peg" (Earl) Butler.

Surviving include her husband of 66 years, Wayne Lemmen ’43; four children, David I. (Carol) Lemmen, Lois DeHart, Rhoda Lemmen ’75 (Dan) Cronin, of Traverse City, and Thomas (Debra) Lemmen, of Melbourne, Fla.; in-laws, Irving (the late Norma) Lemmen, Shirley (the late Howard) Kammeraad and Douglas Lemmen; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

 R. Kamala Korteling '51 of Chelsea, Mich., died on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 after a brief battle with abdominal cancer. She was 82.

She was born and raised in Punganur, South India, the daughter of Ralph (Anna Winter ’19) Korteling ’19. On August 25, 1952, she married Don Martin in Ann Arbor. They lived in Saline where they raided their five children. Don and Kamala moved to Silver Maples in October, 2002.

He preceded her in death on June 24, 2003. Kamala was a reading teacher in the Saline Area Schools for 29 years. During her teaching career she was admired by not only the students who benefitted from her skills and encouragement while learning to master the art of reading, but also her fellow teachers who noted the impact that she made on their own lives.

Both Kamala and Don loved camping and traveling with their family. They traveled the United States and the world after their retirement. Throughout her life she has visited 37 countries while learning about many different kinds of historic events, places and cultures. She was very inquisitive about anything unknown and was utterly enchanted by the beauty and magnificent perfection of the balance of nature.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Martin.

Survivors include her three sons, David (Sue) Martin of Milan, Jim ( Mary) Martin of Bethlehem, Pa., and Dan Martin of Santa Anna, Calif.; two daughters, Nancy Martin Belaire of Saline, and Suanne Martin of New York City; two sisters, Marian Korteling ’47 Levai of Florida, and Maisie Korteling ’52 Votaw of Tennesee; a brother Ralph (Sylvia) Korteling ’58 of British Columbia; and four grandchildren, Amy and Zachary Belaire, Samuel and Isaac Martin; and nieces and nephews, including John Votaw ’81.

Rose MacDoniels Rose MacDoniels of Holland, Mich., died on Sunday, April 24, 2011 in Lake Wales, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She was 70.

Rosie was born Feb. 20, 1941, in St. Louis, Miss., to Henry E. and Mary Beth Grossenbacher. She was educated in the Ritenour Public Schools and graduated from Culver-Stockton College in 1963 with a degree in elementary education.

Rose did graduate work at the University of Kansas, and taught in the Ritenour Public Schools and in the public schools in Blue Island, Ill., Junction City (Ft. Riley), Kansas, and Lawrence, Kansas. She was also an Adjunct Lecturer at Hope College. Rose married Joseph W. MacDoniels in 1964, and moved with Joe to Holland in 1972. She joined the staff of Evergreen Commons in the summer of 1986, and retired as the Director of Program and Leisure Enrichment in November, 2000. Rose was a former member of the First United Methodist Church and Christ Memorial Reformed Church, and was currently a member of Third Reformed Church.

Rose is survived by her husband of 47 years, Joseph W. MacDoniels; her children, Kelly Marie MacDoniels, Joseph Todd MacDoniels, Jeffrey William MacDoniels, Kathryn Rose and Dan Caldwell; three grandchildren, Owen Glen Caldwell, Marshall Izan Caldwell and Ellis Scott Crowner; sisters, Billie Beth Baldwin, Sara Glen and Delmar Gusewelle, Margaret Ellen Jolly, Mary Anne and Robert Becker; many in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Jill Maxim '88 Macy of Hudsonville, died on Sunday, April 10, 2011 after a long battle with cancer and heart disease. She was 44.

Jill was born in Detroit, graduated from Ottawa Hills High school in 1984 and attended Hope College and Jill was a very active participant at Jamestown Reformed church, her children's schools, and in the community inmany ways. Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jill was a very active participant at Jamestown Reformed Church, her children's schools, and in the community in many ways.
Preceding her in death were brother, Jeffrey; maternal grandparents, Deanie and Charles Warner; and paternal grandfather, John Maxim.

Surviving are her husband of 25 years, Thomas; children, Joshua, Benjamin, Alexa and Samuel; parents, Douglas and Jane Maxim; brother, Todd Maxim; grandmother, Betty Maxim; aunts and uncles, Dale and Carla Maxim (Chad, Sean), Dave and Pat Maxim, and Camie and Fred Cromie (Freddie, Daniel and Katie); parents-in-law, Chuck and Sandy Macy; brother-in-law, Jeff and Ellen Macy (Elizabeth, Emily); sister-in-law, Shannon and Steve Willis (Morgan, Luke, Ryan). Also left to mourn are her many firends, too numerous to mention, but whose lives she touched with her love and compassion.

Albert Nicolai, Jr. ’63 of Somerset, N.J., died Thursday, March 17, 2011. He was 69.

Mr. Nicolai was born in Linden, N.J., to Albert Sr. and Margaret (Hauswald) Nicolai. He was always fond of academics. He earned his baccalaureate from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and his master's from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa. Professor Nicolai had a distinguished 30-year career in the English Department at Middlesex County College in Edison, N.J., during which he co-authored the McGraw Hill publication; The Basics: A Rhetoric and Handbook.

Mr. Nicolai was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Dorothy M. Nicolai Polaski, and brother-in-law, Charles M. Polaski Sr.

Survivors include his nephews, Charles M. Polaski Jr. and his wife, Renee, of Toms River, N.J., and Thomas A. Polaski and his wife, Rebecca, of Woodbridge, Va.; his nieces, Joanne M. Hulings and her husband, Michael, of Lewis Run, Pa., and Carrie A. Frampton and her husband, Robert, of Glen Hazel, Pa., as well as his eight great-nieces, two great-nephews, five great-great-nephews, and two great-great-nieces.

Wallace Norgrove ’50 of Kentwood, Mich., died on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010. He was 85.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Norgrove; his children, Richard (Alicia) Norgrove and Marcia (Jerry Phillips) Pittman; three granddaughters, Michelle Pittman, Cheryl Gentz, and Nichole Norgrove; two great-grandsons, Aidden and Zachery Gentz; his brothers Richard Norgrove ’51 and James Norgrove; his sisters-in-law, Virginia Smith and Joyce (Paul) Kunde.

Margaret Rottschaefer ’35 Norton of Birmingham, Mich., died on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. She was 97.

She was born August 16, 1913 in South India to Dr. Bernard and Bernice Rottschaefer, Dutch Reformed missionaries. Her early education was at the Kodaikanal International School, which she visited in 1970 and 2001. In 1941, Margaret married James Horace Norton and together they had three daughters, Joan of Birmingham, Mich., Nancy (Ricky) Sharpe-Blizard of Los Angeles, Calif., and Carol (Gregory) Springs of Anacortes, Wash.

Margaret earned her B.A. from Hope College and her Masters from Wayne State University. She was a librarian at Mount Clemens High School. Margaret was a long-time member of the Rochester Historical Commission, the Mt. Avon Cemetery Board, the First Congregational Church of Rochester and more recently the Congregational Church of Birmingham.

Her hobbies included reading, writing poetry, hiking, the study of history, and world travel. An important part of Margaret’s life after she married Jim, was vacationing at their cottage on Basswood Lake in Canada. Her traveling companion for the last 16 years was her adored sister, Jean Upjohn of Kalamazoo, Mich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Norton; granddaughter, Kathy; her brother Bernard Rottschaefer ’34;and her father, Bernard Rottschaefer (1906).

Survivors include her three daughters, Joan Norton, Nancy (Ricky)Sharpe-Blizard, and Carol (Gregory) Springs; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; her sister, Jean Rottschaefer ’36 VanderVelde-Upjohn; nieces and nephews including Joan VanderVelde ’73 Kullgren and Constance VanderVelde ’70.

Word has been received of the death of Carolyn Kremers ’42 Rabourn of San Diego, Calif., who died on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010. She was 91.

William Philip Forbes Shewan '49 of Laguna Woods, Calif., died on Monday, April 11, 2011. He was 88.

He was born in Toronto, Canada, on May 27, 1922. His family moved to The Bronx, New York, during the early years, and then to Westchester County, New York. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1939.

Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, and served in the European Theater of Operations until he was honorably discharged in 1945.

He attended Hope College in Holland, Mich., and received both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education. Bill moved to San Diego in 1954, and was married to Ann Stocks, who deceased him in 1992. He taught High School English in both Barstow and Warren High School, Downey, for 29 years, retiring in 1985. He and Ann then moved to Sea Ranch, California.

In 1992, Bill moved to Leisure World. He was an active 9-hole golfer. In 1994 he married Rachelle Hoag, who deceased in 1998. Bill and Rachelle enjoyed many trips to Hawaii.

In 2002, he married Great Maragos, his widow. Bill and Greta have been world-wide travelers, both land and cruise. they are members of the Bocce Social Club, American Italia Club, California Club, Niftys Club, Duplicate Bridge Club and Rock ‘n Rollers. They also attend First Christian Church of Laguna Woods. Bill and Greta enjoyed numerous trips to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah, as Bill was a Shakespeare buff.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister Elfreda Bennett in 2005.

Survivors include his wife Greta, and numerous step-children and grandchildren.

Susan Stoeckly ’68 Stitt of Amherst, N.H., died March 28, 2011, in her home, from breast cancer. She was 65.

She was born in 1946 in Marblehead, Mass. She earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Hope College, in Holland, Mich., where she met and fell in love with a local hooligan, Steve Stitt, her future husband of 41 years.

She was a lifelong Girl Scout, inspiring many young women through her work; trustee of the Bean Foundation; member of the Amherst School Board for nine years, chairperson for seven of those years; and the town witch, Esmeralda, who visited Amherst's public schools for years to educate students about the difference between reality and make-believe. IN HER LIFE: She loved performing at the theatre, acting and singing in many PTA plays as well as professionally at area theatres and singing with a New Hampshire choral group that traveled throughout China. She loved to cook and was always eager to try new recipes for her family and friends. Her most recent passion involved her work as an operations manager at Hewlett-Packard. It allowed her to travel around the world and visit her colleagues in Europe, Singapore, India, China and Colombia.

Survivors include her husband, Steve; daughters Jess, Liz and Rachel; her sons-in-law, Christos and Christopher; her grandson, Ajax; her mother, Roberta; her siblings, Robert and Jean; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Wilbur Stoltz ’48 of Holland, Mich., died on Monday, March 7, 2011. He was 89.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving during World War II as a navigator. He worked for Grandville Public Schools as a teacher and then became their business manager. Wilbur also worked for Conrad Investments a an accountant.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Stoltz; and a granddaughter, Katherine Stoltz.

Survivors include his son, James Stoltz; and a brother Donald Stoltz ’57.

Martha Wyatt '67 Thompson of Orlando and Minneapolis, Died on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011. She was 65.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Marie A. and Richard L. Wyatt.

Survivors include her husband, Keith A. Thompson; her children, Jennifer E. and Kyle A. Thompson (Carolyn); and two sisters, Judith Smith and Wendy Wyatt.

Nancy Wheeler of Holland, Mich., died on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. She was 68.

She was born in South Bend, Ind., on July 24, 1942 to Alfred (June Wolfe) Ranschaert. She graduated from Riley High School in South Bend and received bachelors and master’s degrees in classical languages and literature from Indiana University, Bloomington, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and worked as a graduate teaching fellow.

She obtained a second master’s degree in classics from the University of Michigan, where she met and married Brooks Wheeler on April 13, 1968.

From 1968 to 1978, Nancy taught Latin, mythology, early English literature and world literature at Hope College in Holland. She then taught Latin and English for 19 years at Zeeland High School, also serving a term as department chair and working on the building committee for the new Zeeland East High School. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and retired for health reasons in 1998.

Beyond her professional career, Nancy served as secretary of the local University of Michigan Club and as a recruiter for the university, as president of the Idlewood Neighboorhood Association, and as a lector and a leader in the stewardship campaign at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.

She had a deep interest in classical music and, with her husband, held season tickets for area symphony orchestras. The couple hosted many gatherings for their neighborhood, the U-M club, and friends, especially an annual St. Patrick’s Day party, and enjoyed travel around the United States and to Ireland. The Wheelers three dogs, Tully, Duffy I, and Duffy II, were an integral part of their lives.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents, Al (June) Ranschaert; and her husband, Brooks Wheeler.

Survivors include her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Pete (Shirley) Peterson; a nephew, Eric Peterson and his family; a niece, Dr. Linnea Linderman and her family; and her long-time companion, Marie Huevel and many friends. Deep appreciation is expressed to the staff at Oak Crest/Beachside and to the Parish Nurse at Our Lady of the Lake for their compassionate and faithful care of Nancy.