Chester Machiela, 92
Chester Machiela, 92, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Chet was a member of Community Reformed Church. He was a missionary for 54 years with Campus Crusade for Christ. He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin, in 2010.
Chet is survived by his wife of 74 years, Caroline; children, Jack and Phyllis Machiela, Pamela and Anton Sheridan, and Daniel Machiela and Denise Eskew; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his great-great-granddaughter: Chris and Jenny Machiela (Austin and Julia [Millie], Colton, and Jared and Vanessa), Jon and Amy Machiela (Ava), Lisa and Heath Eisman (Zack, Max and Jack), Danna Sheridan, Pieter and Emily Sheridan (Ellie), Danielle and Ryan Marrero, and Clay and Kathryn Wilhoite (Carter and James); siblings, Pauline Dyke, Lorraine Wierenga, Marilyn Wassink, and Roger and Helene Machiela; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harriet and Harv Berens, Dorothy Wetherbee, Alma Vereeke, David and Marilyn Vereeke, Paul and Alice Vereeke, Arlene Westveld, and John and Gretchen Vereeke; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland and from 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch St., with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Beaverdam Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Campus Crusade for Christ.
Sally Smith, 92
Sally Ann Smith, 92, of Zeeland, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Born on Dec. 5, 1932, Sally was a lifelong member of First Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland.
Professionally, Sally worked as a floral designer at Don’s Flowers and later as a travel agent. She was also passionate about volunteering in her community at The Bridge Youth Center in Zeeland and at the Center for Women in Transition (now Resilience).
Sally took pride in her family, celebrating nearly 50 years of marriage with her late husband, Jacob “Jack” Smith. She is survived by her children, David (Annette) Smith, Debi (Harv) Kurdelski, Keith (Kim) Smith, and Karen Smith-Hosner (Terry Hosner); eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Ruth Biesbrock, Kathy Vos, Butch (Sandra) Klunder, and Marge (Sherman) Haveman; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob; parents, Myron Klunder and Johanna Hoogerland; and siblings, Marvin Klunder, Joan Hoppenrath and Gerald Klunder.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Aug. 6 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Bridge Youth Center in Zeeland.
Howard Bakker, 92
Howard W. Bakker, 92, of West Olive, passed away Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at his home.
Howard was born on March 18, 1933, to Albert and Louis (Heerspink) Bakker. Growing up in a close-knit family with Christ at the center shaped Howard’s dreams for his own family. He graduated from Holland Public School in 1951. Howard was drafted into the U.S. Army where he proudly served for two years during the Korean conflict.
Shortly after returning from the military (1955), Howard married the love of his life, Betty (Bloemers) and they began to build their future with faith and family as their highest priorities. They raised their family of five children in a home Howard built in West Olive.
Howard attended Harlem Reformed Church from the time he was small and continued to call Harlem his home church as his family grew. He filled many roles in the church: Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder.
Howard worked for many years as a machinist at Challenge Machinery in Grand Haven and then transitioned to working as a mail carrier for the West Olive Post Office.
Howard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Bakker; children, Valerie (Rick) Prince, David (Lynda) Bakker, Denise (Ernest) Overkamp and Cathy (Jack) VanSlooten; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Eunice Bakker, and brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Marie Bloemers.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Bakker (1986), his parents and siblings.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Harlem Reformed Church, 6854 144th Ave., Holland, with Pastor John Nyitray officiating. Burial was in Port Sheldon Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland.
Jessie De Groot, 93
Jessie Eleanor De Groot, 93, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Heritage Nursing Home.
Jessie was married to Arthur De Groot and together they had six children. She worked at Herman Miller for 25 years until her retirement. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur De Groot, and daughter, Debra De Groot.
Jessie is survived by her son, Arthur and Lisa De Groot; daughter, Dawn Cavazos; daughter, Gloria and David Cavazos; son, Douglas and Dawn De Groot; daughter, Lanette and Bob Redder; grandchildren, Julia and Zach Snabes, Joslyn and Zach Harris, Serena and Travis De Loach, Damien Cavazos, Tralainna Cavazos, Trent Cavazos, David and Christina Cavazos Jr., Jeremy Cavazos Sr., Victoria De Groot, Uriah and Nicole De Groot, Jacquelynn Redder, Christopher Redder, Travis and Julie Redder; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Catherine Van Drunen, Raymond and Margaret Berkenpas, Frank Berkenpas, Betty Berkenpas, Doris and Lorin De Witt, John and Sue Berkenpas; and her nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Funeral services will be at 12 noon on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Burial will take place in Vriesland Cemetery. Visitation with the family is 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 at Yntema Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be given in Jessie’s honor to Zeeland Christian Schools online at zcs.org or by mail to 334 W. Central Ave. Zeeland, MI 49464 or Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 3520 Kiel St., Hudsonville, MI 49426.
Beatrice Vereeke, 88
Beatrice Vereeke, 88, of Holland, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Beatrice is predeceased by her husband, Junior. She is survived by her children, Bonnie and (Bud) Haskell, Mary and (Del) Reynolds, and James and (Stacy) Vereeke; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Nellie Driesenga (spouse of late brother Harv), Roger and (Barb) Driesenga, Ronald and (Marilyn) Driesenga, Mary Lou Driesenga (spouse of late brother Larry), and Joan and (Bill, late brother-in-law) Atkinson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Caroline and Chester Machiela, Harriet and Harv Berens, Dorothy Wetherbee, Alma Vereeke, Arlene Westveld, David and Marilyn Vereeke, Paul and Alice Vereeke, and John and Gretchen Vereeke.
Beatrice and Junior were the former owners of Burt Lake Springs Resort. Bea had a deep love for God and was a beloved member of Rose Park Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 10-10:45 a.m., Friday, Aug. 8, with the memorial service following at 11 a.m. at Rose Park Baptist Church, 600 Butternut Dr., Holland. A luncheon in Rose Park Baptist Fellowship Hall will follow the memorial service. The interment service will be at Beaverdam Cemetery, 6630 Ransom St., Zeeland, after the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Rose Park Baptist Church or Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church.
Beatrice is predeceased by her husband, Junior. She is survived by her children, Bonnie and (Bud) Haskell, Mary and (Del) Reynolds, and James and (Stacy) Vereeke; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Nellie Driesenga (spouse of late brother Harv), Roger and (Barb) Driesenga, Ronald and (Marilyn) Driesenga, Mary Lou Driesenga (spouse of late brother Larry), and Joan and (Bill, late brother-in-law) Atkinson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Caroline and Chester Machiela, Harriet and Harv Berens, Dorothy Wetherbee, Alma Vereeke, Arlene Westveld, David and Marilyn Vereeke, Paul and Alice Vereeke, and John and Gretchen Vereeke.
Beatrice and Junior were the former owners of Burt Lake Springs Resort. Bea had a deep love for God and was a beloved member of Rose Park Baptist Church.
Visitation will be from 10-10:45 a.m., Friday, Aug. 8, with the memorial service following at 11 a.m. at Rose Park Baptist Church, 600 Butternut Dr., Holland. A luncheon in Rose Park Baptist Fellowship Hall will follow the memorial service. The interment service will be at Beaverdam Cemetery, 6630 Ransom St., Zeeland, after the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Rose Park Baptist Church or Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church.
Kikeo Silabout, 86
Kikeo Silabout, age 86, of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
A visitation for Kikeo will be held Friday, Aug. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Aug. 9 at 12 noon at Lakeshore Memorial Services.
A visitation for Kikeo will be held Friday, Aug. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Aug. 9 at 12 noon at Lakeshore Memorial Services.
Lucy Nykamp, 81
Lucy Nykamp, 81, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Lucy was born in Sleeuwijk, the Netherlands, on Aug. 24, 1943, to Lucas Van Drunen and Dora Wynands. She was the youngest of five children and was described by her older brother as the “darling of the family... everyone loved her.”
She immigrated to Holland, Michigan, with her family in 1951. Lucy graduated from Holland Christian High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Mary’s College of Nursing.
She worked at Ferguson’s Hospital in Grand Rapids before giving birth to her first child. She then chose to stay home to care for her three children and remained actively involved in her community, organizing fundraisers and church bazaars to benefit Holland Christian Schools and Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church.
Lucy is survived by her devoted husband, Wesley J. Nykamp; her son, Louis (Blair) Nykamp; daughters, Dara Nykamp and Rachel (Steve) Warren; grandchildren, Cassidy, Eden, Juniper, Cabot, Lucas (L.J.), great-granddaughter, Adelaide; brother, Peter (Kathy) Van Drunen; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Cora Van Drunen, Cecilia Droge, formerly Voetberg, and Jane Groenlier, formerly Zwiep.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 4 at Fellowship Reformed Church, Holland. Burial took place at Lakewood Cemetery, adjacent to the church.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Lucy was born in Sleeuwijk, the Netherlands, on Aug. 24, 1943, to Lucas Van Drunen and Dora Wynands. She was the youngest of five children and was described by her older brother as the “darling of the family... everyone loved her.”
She immigrated to Holland, Michigan, with her family in 1951. Lucy graduated from Holland Christian High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Mary’s College of Nursing.
She worked at Ferguson’s Hospital in Grand Rapids before giving birth to her first child. She then chose to stay home to care for her three children and remained actively involved in her community, organizing fundraisers and church bazaars to benefit Holland Christian Schools and Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church.
Lucy is survived by her devoted husband, Wesley J. Nykamp; her son, Louis (Blair) Nykamp; daughters, Dara Nykamp and Rachel (Steve) Warren; grandchildren, Cassidy, Eden, Juniper, Cabot, Lucas (L.J.), great-granddaughter, Adelaide; brother, Peter (Kathy) Van Drunen; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Cora Van Drunen, Cecilia Droge, formerly Voetberg, and Jane Groenlier, formerly Zwiep.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 4 at Fellowship Reformed Church, Holland. Burial took place at Lakewood Cemetery, adjacent to the church.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Jeanne Bramer, 82
Jeanne Diane Bramer, age 82, walked into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Zeeland.
Jeanne was born on Feb. 2, 1943, in Holland to Ray and Esther Sprick. On Sept. 6, 1963, Jeanne married the love of her life, Jerry Bramer. Jeanne worked and eventually retired from Family Fare. She was a longtime member of Central Wesleyan Church.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry A. Bramer; granddaughter, Amanda Lawrence; parents, Ray and Esther Sprick; in-laws, John and Bea Bramer; brothers-in-law, Dick Bramer and Ken Boerman; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Bramer.
Jeanne is survived by her children, Janet (Ron) Lawrence, Julaine (Steve) Ebels, and Jeff (Wendy) Bramer; grandchildren, Joshua, Shane (Rachel), Ross (Brynne), Britta (Andrew), Allen, Sammy, Cora,
Andrew, and Celena; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dennis (Michelle) Sprick and Randy (Karen) Sprick; sister, Marlene (Gordon) Rosenberg; brothers-in-law, Bob (Joyce) Bramer and Dale Bramer; sisters-in-law, Helen Bramer and Sharon Boerman; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A celebration of life is being planned for a future date.
Jeanne was born on Feb. 2, 1943, in Holland to Ray and Esther Sprick. On Sept. 6, 1963, Jeanne married the love of her life, Jerry Bramer. Jeanne worked and eventually retired from Family Fare. She was a longtime member of Central Wesleyan Church.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry A. Bramer; granddaughter, Amanda Lawrence; parents, Ray and Esther Sprick; in-laws, John and Bea Bramer; brothers-in-law, Dick Bramer and Ken Boerman; and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Bramer.
Jeanne is survived by her children, Janet (Ron) Lawrence, Julaine (Steve) Ebels, and Jeff (Wendy) Bramer; grandchildren, Joshua, Shane (Rachel), Ross (Brynne), Britta (Andrew), Allen, Sammy, Cora,
Andrew, and Celena; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dennis (Michelle) Sprick and Randy (Karen) Sprick; sister, Marlene (Gordon) Rosenberg; brothers-in-law, Bob (Joyce) Bramer and Dale Bramer; sisters-in-law, Helen Bramer and Sharon Boerman; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
A celebration of life is being planned for a future date.
Bonnie Mathis, 87
Bonnie Lou Mathis, 87, of Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Zeeland, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with her children by her side.
Bonnie was born on Feb. 7, 1938, in Saginaw, adopted by James and Pauline McGuire Sr., and grew up in Allen Park.
She is survived by her children, Deana (Bob) Cornwell of Columbia City, Ind., Darren (Lisa) Mathis of Zeeland and Debra (Jared) Renadette of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren Ashley (Liam) Kelly of Mishawaka, Ind., Nathan (Melissa) Mathis [Mila and Parker] of Holland, Brandon (Sara) Mathis [Brady] of West Bloomfield, Carolyn Mathis of Zeeland, Christian Almanza of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Danielle (Jacob) White [Ariana and Riley]; siblings, Keith McGuire of Bronson, Gary (Vida) McGuire of Arkansas; nieces and nephews; and her best friend of 72 years, Joyce Burkhart of Lakeland, Fla.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Pauline McGuire Sr., sister-in-law, Marisol McGuire; and granddaughter, Alexandria Almanza.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place; and a private family celebration of life is planned.
The Mathis family would like to thank the following people: the staff at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center – in particular, her nurses Jess and Mindy; Pastors Glenn Procopio and Mike Williams, and Joyce Burkhart for being such an amazing friend.
Bonnie was born on Feb. 7, 1938, in Saginaw, adopted by James and Pauline McGuire Sr., and grew up in Allen Park.
She is survived by her children, Deana (Bob) Cornwell of Columbia City, Ind., Darren (Lisa) Mathis of Zeeland and Debra (Jared) Renadette of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren Ashley (Liam) Kelly of Mishawaka, Ind., Nathan (Melissa) Mathis [Mila and Parker] of Holland, Brandon (Sara) Mathis [Brady] of West Bloomfield, Carolyn Mathis of Zeeland, Christian Almanza of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Danielle (Jacob) White [Ariana and Riley]; siblings, Keith McGuire of Bronson, Gary (Vida) McGuire of Arkansas; nieces and nephews; and her best friend of 72 years, Joyce Burkhart of Lakeland, Fla.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, James and Pauline McGuire Sr., sister-in-law, Marisol McGuire; and granddaughter, Alexandria Almanza.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place; and a private family celebration of life is planned.
The Mathis family would like to thank the following people: the staff at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center – in particular, her nurses Jess and Mindy; Pastors Glenn Procopio and Mike Williams, and Joyce Burkhart for being such an amazing friend.
