Theodore Parker
Theodore “Ted” Parker, 82, of Zeeland, passed away, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
Ted was a supervisor at SlickCraft, S2 Yachts, and Tiara Yachts before retiring from Haworth as a material handler, and then worked part time at SubAssembly Plus, Inc.
Ted was a member of Central Wesleyan Church where he served in the bus ministry and was a small group leader. He was a CYC counselor and was very involved with the Pinewood Derby.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years, Stella Lee (Rice) Parker (2018); daughter, Lisa Kay Parker (1964); and a son, Jason Spencer Parker (1975).
He is survived by his wife, Gayle (Bleeker) Parker; daughters, Joni (Brian) VanRhee and Julie (Jeff) Zylstra; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; stepdaughters, Kinda (Tim) Loew, Kelli (Tom) Rozema, and Lynette Bleeker and Frank Rodriguez; 10 step-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Central Wesleyan Church Chapel, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. Please use door G to enter. Burial will be in Poplar Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31 at Dykstra Funeral Homes - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland.
Ruth Tyink
Ruth Tyink, age 76, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Ruth was born in Zeeland on Jan. 31, 1948, to Gerrit and Fenna (Geerts) Loedeman. After years in Zeeland schools, she transferred to Hamilton High School (class of 1967). While there she met the love of her life, Philip Tyink.
Ruth and Philip were married in July of 1967 and later welcomed their son, Douglas Tyink. While Philip was in the U.S. Navy for 10 years, Ruth and Douglas moved with him whenever possible. Together they lived in Key West, Fla., Barbers Point, Hawaii, and Adak, Alaska. Following Philip’s service time, the family returned to their roots in West Michigan.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Philip Tyink; son, Douglas Tyink; grandchildren, Zachary Tyink and Jordan Tyink; great-grandchildren, Sebastian Tyink and Xena Tyink; sister, Jean (Don) Lam; and sister-in-law, Deborah (Dale) Davis.
Private family services were held. Burial took place in Graafschap Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Ruth’s honor may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rhonda Lubben
Rhonda Lubben, 63, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Rhonda was born in Zeeland Oct. 30, 1961 to Welland and Dorene (Romeyn) Weaver. She raised her three children and worked for Dean Transportation as a bus aide for special needs students.
She is survived by her children, Ben Lubben of St. Clair Shores, Josh Lubben of Scottville, Tara and James O’Donnell of Mattawan; two grandsons; brothers, Mark Weaver, Scott and Carla Weaver, and extended family.
A visitation was Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Rhonda to the Harbor Humane Society, 14345 Bagley St., West Olive, MI 49460.
Irvin Steketee
Irvin D. Steketee, 95, of Holland, passed away on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at his home.
He was a member of First Reformed Church of Holland and an elder. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army from 1951-1953. Following his discharge from the military, he became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and worked as a union electrician.
Irv was the son of Peter and Anna Steketee. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Marilyn; children, Sue and Thomas Smith, Thomas Steketee; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; in-laws, Gladys Steketee and Darlene Brink; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services with military honors were held Saturday, Jan. 25, at First Reformed Church, 630 S. State St., Holland. Burial was in Graafschap Cemetery.
A special thank-you to the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, Cancer and Hematology Centers of West Michigan, The Inn at Freedom Village, and Hospice of Holland. Memorial contributions may be given to the Right to Life Education Fund and Hospice of Holland.
Marilyn Meeuwsen
Marilyn Meeuwsen, 89, passed away on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Marilyn graduated from Coopersville High School in 1953. After starting a family with her husband Gordon Meeuwsen, Marilyn worked for West Ottawa Public Schools food service for 25 years until her retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Gordon Meeuwsen; parents Ezra and Iva Leona DeMott; brothers Jim, Robert, John, Eugene, and Marvin DeMott; as well as sister, Veta Kenyon.
Marilyn is survived by sons, Gregory (Diana) Meeuwsen and Douglas (Maria) Meeuwsen; daughter Nancy Meeuwsen; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; sister, Joyce DeMott; sisters-in-law Norma (Ron) DeVries and Joan Meeuwsen.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 24 at Ottawa Reformed Church, 11390 Stanton St., West Olive. A private burial followed the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Ottawa Reformed Church Kids Hope or the Ottawa Reformed Church Youth Group.
Geneva Berkompas
Geneva June Berkompas, 95, passed away on Jan. 19, 2025.
Geneva had many interests in her life, but nothing compares to the love she had for her family. She enjoyed making memories with her loved ones and maintained these special relationships throughout her life. When she wasn’t spending time with family, she could be found outside in the garden tending to vegetables and beautiful flowers.
Geneva was also strong in her faith, teaching Sunday school at Harlem Reformed Church for many years. She played an important role in shaping children’s lives at the Ottawa Area Center as an aide.
Geneva was preceded in death by her parents, Tim and Johanna (Rietman) Slagh; husband, Lavern Berkompas in 2004; daughter, Lynda Berkompas; and great-granddaughter, Lucy Berkompas.
She is survived by children, Rodney (Linda) Berkompas and Paul Berkompas; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Carolyn (Roger) Brandson; sisters-in-law, Dolores Slagh, Arlene Slagh, Lois Hulst, and Carolyn (Bill) Overway.
Services for Geneva were held Friday, Jan. 24 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St. Holland. A private burial followed the service.
Martha LaBarge
Martha Ann Preston LaBarge, 95, passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 in Holland.
Martha was born Sept. 3, 1929, to Ella Lindt Preston and Nathan E. Preston of St. Joseph. She attended Grinnell College in Iowa and graduated from Michigan State University in 1951 with a degree in home economics.
After graduation, Martha was an assistant buyer in the accessory department at Herpolsheimer’s of Grand Rapids, when she met Jack LaBarge, a mirror salesman. They married in 1953 and made their home in Holland.
Martha was a stay-at-home mom to their two daughters, Kathryn and Mary. She was fond of collecting antiques, especially dolls.
For a short time, Martha and her neighbor, Leslie Lampen, relished selling antiques at their little store in Central Park called Yesterday’s Treasures. Later, Martha had a booth in Tulip City Antique Mall and then at Saugatuck Antique Pavilion where she enjoyed selling and collecting antiques with her daughter, Mary.
Martha was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Jack (John) LaBarge, in 2013. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn (Daniel) Drummond and Mary LaBarge; three grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at Hope Church, 77 W. 11th St., Holland, with Rev. Gordon Wiersema officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital, Holland Hospital, Freedom Inn and Hospice of Holland for their kind and compassionate care of Martha for the last few months.
Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Humane Society, Hospice of Holland or Hope Church.
Judy Johnson
Judy Lynn Johnson, 64, of Zeeland, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
Judy was born on Jan. 22, 1960.
No funeral services were planned.
Margaret Boeve
Margaret “Marge” J. Boeve, 90, of Holland, passed away on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at her home.
Marge was a member of Graafschap Christian Reformed Church. She played piano and organ in a variety of churches. Year after year, she and her husband Ken created a beautiful flower and vegetable garden in their yard.
Marge was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest Pugh; grandson, Matthew Pugh; brother, Bob Styf; and sister, Ilene Styf.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Boeve; children, Victor (Lonna) Pugh, Randy (Gail) Pugh, Mical (Jennifer) Pugh, Christy (Dale) TenElshof, and Amy (Tom) Mulder; stepchildren, Dick (Gundi) Boeve, Tom (Mary) Boeve, Tim (Diane) Boeve, Jane (Rick) Roessing, and Kevin (Liz) Boeve; several grandchildren and step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-step-grandchildren; sisters, Vonnie Dreyer, Irene (Rog) Gunnink, and Alma Wortley; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St., Holland, with Revs. Mical Pugh and Phil Kok officiating. Burial was in Grandville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Graafschap CRC or Graafschap Youth Mission Trip.
Larry Dykstra
Larry Dykstra, 84, of Holland, passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 at Resthaven Care Center.
Larry was born in Holland on Oct. 22, 1940, to Milton and Johanna Dykstra. He graduated from Holland High School in 1958 and Hope College in 1962. He later went on to get his master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
Larry was a math teacher in the Lakewood school system, Hastings High School and Hastings Middle School. In addition, he coached football, baseball and softball. After retirement, Larry worked for Landscape Design in their billing department.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Johanna Dykstra; and brothers-in-law, Dwayne “Tiger” Teusink, Melvin Timmer, and Dom Misuraca.
Larry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary; children, Debra (TJ) Bratt, David (Kristi) Dykstra and Diane (Troy) Van Dyke; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Teusink and Marlene Misuraca; in-laws, Jan (Steve) Busscher, Carol (Flip) Roelofs, Rick (Geri) Timmer and Ron (Linda) Timmer.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 25 in the Chapel at Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St., Holland, with Pastor Mike McKay of Central Wesleyan Church and Pastor Ben Ridder of Harvest Church in Lake Odessa officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Speaks (joinhopespeaks.org) and Kids Hope (kidshopeusa.org).
Arloa Lemmen
Arloa Joan Lemmen, 84, of Holland, passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 at Resthaven Maple Woods in Holland.
Arloa was born in Borculo April 2, 1940 to Joe and Marie (Roels) Brinks. She was a lifelong resident of the area, working for Herman Miller and Walters Gardens for many years, and was a charter member of Community Reformed Church.
Arloa was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald, in 2003, and a granddaughter, Katie Lynn Rhoda, in 2010.
She is survived by her children, Marcia (Charles) Rhoda, Howard (Brenda) Lemmen, Daniel (Jennifer) Lemmen, Daryl (Penny) Lemmen, and Pamela (Jesse) Skinner; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Brinks and Robert (Carol) Brinks; in-laws, Isla Vander Hulst, and Kenneth (Betty) Lemmen; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 25 at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch St., Zeeland, with Rev. Kurt Henry and Rev. Trent Walker officiating. Burial was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Arloa may be made to Hospice of Holland.
