Carl Kok
Carl Kok, 71, of Zeeland, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
Carl’s family immigrated from The Netherlands when he was 3. He was raised in Holland and graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1971. Carl founded Kok’s Woodgoods in 1985 with his wife Sally, and he retired in 2007. In retirement, Carl enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop at home building boats.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally; children and grandchildren, Theo and Heather Kok (Jacqueline), Ben and Leslie Kok (Carsten), and Abby and Chris Wolters (Cole and Mia); siblings, Dia and Paul Kik, Winnie Arends, and Mike and Jill Kok; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack and Mary Kalmink, and Nancy and Paul Vryhof; and his beloved dog Buddy.
A funeral service will be held today, Thursday, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society.
Janice Plasman
Janice Plasman, 71, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
Janice was born on Oct. 22, 1953 to Rev. Walter and Edene Hofman. She worked at Tennant for many years throughout her life. It was also the place where she met her husband, Dave Plasman. She had a great sense of humor and was a generous and loving mom and sister. She was fun-loving and will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Walter and Edene Hofman; daughter, Erin Schierbeek; husband, Dave Plasman; and John Schierbeek, the father of her children.
She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Schierbeek; brother, John and Mary Hofman; brother, Jim and Mary Hofman; brother, Tom and Nancy Hofman; nieces, nephews and extended family.
No services were planned.
Memorial contributions in Janice’s honor may be given to the Leukemia Research Foundation at leukemiarf.org.
Mary Van Heuvelen
Mary Ann Van Heuvelen, 82, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
Mary was born on Aug. 11, 1942, to Ray and Florence Van Heuvelen. She was a lifelong resident of Holland. She graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1960 and attended Calvin College. Her career spanned 43 years and was spent working at Holland Furnace, Lear Siegler-Home Division and Magna Donnelly, where she retired from.
Mary was a lifelong member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church where she taught Calvinettes/GEMS and also served on various church committees. She considered it her mission to send cards and notes of encouragement to members and staff of the church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Raymond Junior Van Heuvelen; brother-in-law, Ken Strickland; nephews, Kevin Cook and Bryan Cook; and great-nephew William Harthorn.
Mary is survived by her sisters, Elaine Strickland, Kathy (Don) Cook, and Linda (Steve) Harthorn; sister-in-law Denise Van Heuvelen; several nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces.
Funeral services were Monday, Feb. 3, at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave., Holland with Rev. Chad Steenwyk officiating. Burial was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Benjamin’s Hope at benjaminshope.net and Hospice of Holland at hollandhospice.org.
Barbara Neisler
Barbara I. Neisler, 86, of Zeeland, passed away on Jan. 29, 2025.
Barbara grew up in Hamtramck and attended Cass Tech High School in Detroit, just across the street from the old Tiger Stadium. She became a Detroit Tigers fan at a young age and carried this legacy throughout life, sharing it with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also shared her love of baseball by working the concession stand at Little League games for her grandchildren’s teams.
After raising all of her children in Long Beach, Calif., Barbara eventually moved back to Michigan many years later to be closer to family.
Barbara was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherry Gobble, and siblings Charles Thompson, Ann Johnson and Richard Thompson.
She is survived by children, Gerald Thompson, Patricia (Eddie) Ybarra, Pamala Neisler (Kevin Lang), and Rogena (Robert) Zuverink; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Allwyn Thompson, Robert Thompson, Donald Thompson and Marilyn Kucker.
A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.
Elsa Essink
Elsa Rose Essink, 83, of Zeeland, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital.
Elsa was born in Holland to John and Esther (Kragt) Van Den Berge and was a lifelong resident of the area.
Growing up on the family farm where the 16th Street Meijer is now located, Elsa at an early age was no stranger to hard work. The fourth-born of five children, she had her share of chores to do daily. A reward for hard work, she would enjoy time with her horse Pal, who she would show at 4-H Club.
Elsa graduated from Holland Christian High School and worked as a waitress at various restaurants, including downtown Holland favorites such as Pietro’s, 8th Street Grille and Hops. She absolutely loved downtown Holland - from the connections she made with many business owners and restaurant guests, to the beautiful flowers and architecture that make 8th Street unique.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Willard and John Van Den Berge; brother-in-law, Robert Vandenberg; brother-in-law, Dale Aalderink; sister-in-law, Margaret Abma; sister-in-law, Becky Essink; and brother-in-law, Robert Essink.
Elsa is survived by her husband, Herschel of Zeeland; son Chad, and daughter-in-law, Jacki Williams; daughter, Jennifer (Joel) Pyle; grandchildren, Garak Postma, Kasidy (Maxwell) Byers and Katelyn Kuzmanko; siblings, Gus (Jean) Van Den Berge, Karen Van Den Berge and Lyla Vandenberg; in-laws, Ruth Aalderink, Floyd (Sheila) Essink, Ron (Kim) Essink, and Wayne Essink.
A memorial celebration of Elsa’s life is being planned for the spring, to honor her life in her favorite season as the flowers bloom.
Rick Foss
Rick L. Foss, 64, passed away unexpectedly at home in West Olive on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. He believed in Jesus as his Lord and Savior and is now in his heavenly home.
Rick enjoyed working on vehicles and fixing most anything. He also enjoyed cooking, gardening, spending time outdoors and with animals. He loved his family and his only daughter Samantha. They shared an amazing love bond.
Preceding him in death were his father, Terry Foss, and sister, Brenda Zimonich.
Rick is survived by his daughter, Samantha Foss and her longtime partner, Joe Maxwell; mother, Arlene Foss; brother, Bruce Foss; brother-in-law Mark Zimonich; along with nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Harlem Reformed Church, 6854 144th Ave., Holland. Interment was in Olive Township Cemetery.
Oma Tubergan
Oma Tubergan, 91, of Holland, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
Oma was born in Harlan County, Ky. on Jan. 14, 1934 to Radford and Ethel Daniels. She married Henry Tubergan, the love of her life, in Holland. They celebrated 50 years of marriage prior to Henry’s passing in 2020.
She was a longtime member of South Olive Christian Reformed Church, and former member of Pine Creek CRC. Oma worked for Baker Furniture, where she laid gold leaf, and enjoyed spending weekends at Silver Lake.
She is survived by her brothers, Herman Daniels and Levi Daniels; sister, Dorothy Stewart; special nieces, Liz (Chris) Vogel and Lorri (Ross) Meeuwsen; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
A service to celebrate Oma’s life was held Friday, Jan. 31 at South Olive Christian Reformed Church. Burial was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Marcia DeHaan
Marcia Ann DeHaan, 90, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Jan. 24, 2025.
Marcia was born on May 13, 1934 to John and Kathryn De Graaf in Holland, where she lived her entire life. After graduating from Holland Christian High School, she worked as an office secretary for Hart & Cooley.
She began dating her husband, Peter, after he returned from the Korean War and they married on Aug. 13, 1954. Marcia’s life was full of travel and adventure. For many years, Marcia followed her husband on the road as he delivered buses and motor homes across the country for Holland Motor Homes. Marcia would drive the “chase car” that would bring them back home after a delivery.
Marcia and Peter were members of South Olive Christian Reformed Church.
Marcia is preceded in death by her father, John De Graaf; stepfather, James Klomparens; mother, Kathryn Klomparens; sister, Geneva; brother, Ted; and son-in-law Robert Bonczyk. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Peter J. DeHaan; children, Michael (Kris) DeHaan, Marc (Darlene) DeHaan and Michelle Bonczyk; six grandchildren and their spouses; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held for Marcia’s immediate family on Friday, Jan. 31 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home. Burial was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Emilia Copple
Emilia Grace Copple, beloved child of the King, infant daughter of Braden and Whitney (Maas) Copple, was born into her eternal home on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital. She was loved and adored on this earth for 25 weeks before she was born and is now loved and adored in heaven forever.
In addition to her parents, Emi Grace is survived by her grandparents, Phil and Janell Maas, Heather Engelsma, Samuel Copple; great-grandparents, Mike and Brenda Engelsma, William and Ellen Copple, Bernie and Elly Maas; aunts Sable Maas and Katie Copple; uncles TJ Maas, Mitchell Copple, Tyler Copple, Drew Copple, and Ethan Copple; and many extended family members.
Emi Grace was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Alan and Gloria VanBemmel, and her infant cousin, Brynn Ruth Key. A family graveside service was held at Beaverdam Cemetery.
Egbert Bareman
Egbert Gerald Bareman, 93, of Holland, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at American House retirement home.
Bert was employed by Herman Miller in Holland for more than 40 years, many of which he served as the quality manager. He was an active member of Intersection Ministries church and shared his faith and joy in Christ with many.
He had a passion for golf, playing in leagues for many years. He was also an avid Tigers fan and made sure to watch every game he could. After retiring in 1992, he and his wife Alma spent many winters in Florida and frequently enjoyed traveling on cruises to various destinations. They also enjoyed many years as residents of Sandy Pines Resort in Hopkins.
Bert was preceded in death by his wife, Alma, in 2011. He is survived by his sons, Gary (Beth) Bareman and Dennis Bareman; grandsons, Nicholas (Bree) Bareman and Michael Bareman; great-grandchildren, Hayden and Weston Bareman; sister, Lorraine Eding; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 3 at Intersection Ministries, 945 136th Ave. Holland. Burial was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
