Ernest Kortering, 91
Ernest Jay Kortering, 91, of Zeeland, passed away on Sunday morning, Aug. 24, 2025.
Born in Fillmore Township, Ernest served in the U.S. Army with the rank of corporal from 1953 to 1955.
Following his military service, Ernest obtained his teaching certificate from Allegan County Normal. He then went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University.
Ernest taught sixth grade for more than 35 years for the Zeeland Public Schools. After retirement, Ernest went on to work for Hope College as a college coordinator for student teachers.
Ernest was a charter member of Community Reformed Church of Zeeland, where he served on the first building committee and consistory multiple times.
Surviving are his children, Randy and Sue Kortering, Larry and Pat Kortering, Lisa and Jeff Gabier, and Richelle and Jon Hofman; grandchildren, Stephanie and Carl Bussema, Matt and Christina Kortering, Katie and Adam Hukkala, Taylor Hofman, Brianna Hofman; and great-granddaughter, Esther Kortering.
Ernest was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; grandson, Alexander (Alec) Gabier; parents, Elsie and Herman Kortering; brother and sister-in-law, Laverne and Leona Kortering; sister-in-law, Christal Broekhuis; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Grada and Henry Voetberg.
A funeral service in Ernest’s honor will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, Aug. 29, at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch St., Zeeland. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Memorial contributions may be given to READ Ottawa, 430 E. 8th St. #140, Holland, MI 49423 or to Rivers of Mercy Children’s Home, Bridge the Gap International, P.O. Box 702558, Tulsa OK 74170-2558.
John Dreyer Jr., 84
John Dreyer Jr., 84 of Holland, passed away Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.
John was preceded in death by his father, John Sr. and Donna Dreyer; mother, Marjorie Sequin; brothers, William Dreyer and Charles Dreyer; and sister, Virginia Meurer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Marilyn; children, John Dreyer III (Shelly Raak), Mary Jo (Rick) DenBleyker and James (Susan) Dreyer; sister, Lisa (Dave) Lantz; stepbrothers, Vince Nieboer and Jeff (Rea) Nieboer; stepsister, Marlene Barkel; brother-in-law, Peter Meurer; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. today at Beechwood Church in Holland. A one-hour visitation will take place prior to the service. Burial will take place at Blendon Township Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Optimal Care Hospice.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Appledorn South for the excellent care they gave John over the last 10 months.
Todd Talsma, 61
Todd Talsma, 61, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Faith Reformed Church, 220 W. Central Ave., Zeeland, with Rev. Jonathan Elgersma officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Mercy or Shields of Hope - West MI. Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel.
Betty Vecchio, 87
Betty Ann Vecchio, age 87, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
A visitation for Betty will be held Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland, followed by a funeral service from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m.
Thea Kaetzel, 59
Thea Kaetzel, 59, of Holland, passed away Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Thea graduated from Athens High School in Troy and Western Michigan University. She taught dance and owned Dance Central Dance Company for 18 years.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Richard; her daughters and grandson, Angel Kaetzel, Jenna and Joshua Cadle, Mackenzie and Benjamin (Theodore) Bowman; parents, Tad and Marcia Schultheiss; sister, Marti Jane and Walter Jensen; best friend and cousin, Karrie and Jeremy Bernhardt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Loren and Rosemary Kaetzel; brother-in-law, Eddie and Lisa Kaetzel; exchange sister, Katrin Paulun, and five exchange daughters, Marte Bakke, Leah Hussey, Marine Prz, Robyn Brown, and Clara Niccoli.
Thea was preceded in death by her grandson Wyatt Cadle.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. The funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 171 W. 13th St., Holland. The graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Litchfield.
Memorial contributions may be given to Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
Linda Nelson, 77
Linda G. Nelson, 77, of Holland, passed away Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
Linda was a lifetime member of Pillar Church. She enjoyed her embroidery, crossword puzzles, and camping, especially at Ponchos Pond in Ludington.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jennie (Vander Meulen) Mokma, and her sister-in-law, Neva Mokma.
Linda is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Ralph; children, Kerri (Timothy) Prince of Hamilton, Kimberly (Christopher) McAleer of Brighton and Michael Nelson (Deanna Ramsey) of Fennville; grandchildren, Leah, Trenton, Sierra, Bereket, Summer, Max, Ryan, Mason, and Aden; brothers, Jim (Kay) Mokma and Dale Mokma; sister, Phyllis (Erwin) Nienhuis; sister-in-law, Carol (Glen) Wollschlager; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Dykstra Funeral Home Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland. Burial was in Lakeshore - Holland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Harbor Humane Society.
Howard Kolk, 80
Howard Alan Kolk, 80, of Grand Haven, formerly of Holland, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Howard was born in Holland on Dec. 2, 1944, to Raymond and Helene (Smalligan) Kolk. He graduated from Holland Christian High School, Ferris State University and began working in the family business, Mechanical Transplanter.
Howard married Bonnie De Weerd on Dec. 30, 1967. Howard and Bonnie raised their two children in Holland and were long-time members of Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church, (Harderwyk Ministries).
Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Kolk; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Van Tatenhove and Thelma Bergsma.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie; children, Melinda Kolk and David Wagner, and Joseph and Heidi Kolk; grandchildren, Iain Wagner, Aspen Kolk, Dylan Kolk, Conrad Kolk and Everett Kolk; sisters-in-law, Kathy Kolk and Arlene Timmer; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Harderwyk Ministries, 1627 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland. Interment was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Neighbors Plus-C/O Harderwyk Ministries, or Gateway Mission.
Wilma Quillian, 87
Wilma Jean Quillian, 87, of Holland, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.
Wilma was born Dec. 18, 1937, to Dewey and Evelyn (Lenderman) Morris. She married Buford Quillian on Dec. 20, 1956. They raised their three children in Holland and they are longtime members of Rose Park Baptist Church.
After raising the Quillian children, Wilma worked at Herman Miller for 12 years before her retirement.
Wilma is survived by her husband of 69 years, Buford; children, Rick Quillian, Barb and David Jones, and Brian and Sheryl Quillian; grandchildren, David Jones Jr., Michael Jones, Ranae and Max Boose, Brandon Quillian, Rachel Quillian, Jeremy and Allie Quillian, and Sydney Quillian; great-grandchildren, Dean, Audrey, Marshall, Laken and Riley; brother, Don and Sharon Morris; sister, Charletta Morris; sister-in-law, Frances Grisham; and many extended family members.
A funeral was held Saturday, Aug. 23 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Interment was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Henrietta DeJonge, 95
Henrietta “Rae” DeJonge, 95, of Zeeland, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.
Rae was a longtime member of First Reformed Church in Zeeland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, in 1994. She was the last surviving member of her family of 10 siblings, and the last of Howard’s family.
She is survived by her children, Bruce and Deb Brown, and David and Nancy DeJonge; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Michael Brown, Mark and Cailin Brown (Elliott and Amelia Rae), Matthew and Liesl DeJonge, Micah DeJonge, Philip DeJonge and his fiancé Rebecca Broadwick; and many nieces and nephews.
Rae’s family would like to thank the staff at Riley’s Grove for the loving care she received during her stay there.
The funeral service to honor Rae’s life was held Friday, Aug. 22 at First Reformed Church, 125 Lincoln Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Special Education Ministry or Upward Bound.
John Scott, 77
Dr. John Rufus Scott, 77, of Holland, passed away at Holland Hospital on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
John was born on Feb. 9, 1948, in Wellsville, N.Y. to Rufus and Ethel Scott. John attended Wellsville High School, Johns Hopkins University and New York Medical College. After completing his medical residency at Geisenger Medical Center, Dr. Scott practiced medicine as an internist and general practitioner in Wellsville, N.Y.
Dr. Scott moved to Holland in 1995 where he continued his medical practice until his retirement. He cared deeply for all the patients he treated in his more than 40 years as a physician.
John is survived by his wife, Deborah Scott (Coats) of Holland (originally of Wellsville, N.Y.); daughter, Sarah Scott (Joseph Donald) of Fishers, Ind.; son, Nathan (Yuko) Scott of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister, Julia Van Dyke of Avon, Ind.; grandchildren, Danica, Alexander, Bethany and Meredith Engelund of Fishers, Ind., and Macy and Amelia Scott of Cincinnati; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Scott and Ethel Scott (Macy) of Wellsville, N.Y.
A celebration of life for John will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland, with visitation one hour before the service at 12 noon. The celebration of life service will be live streamed on Lakeshore Memorial Services Facebook page.
Linda Osstifin, 75
Linda Osstifin, 75, passed away at home in Holland on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.
Linda was a generous soul who will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her warmth, strength, sense of humor, exceptional baking, and the boundless love she gave so freely to everyone around her. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend.
Linda is survived by her children, Jennifer Czerniejewski and Jason Osstifin; daughter-in-law, Cammie Gaubatz-Osstifin; grandchildren, Arielle, Kaden and Wynter; sister, Cyndi Harrell; nephews Jacob and Blake Perry; and niece Cara Miller, who held a special place in her heart.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul “Ozzie” Osstifin; her son-in-law, Nathan Czerniejewski; brothers, James and Jeffery Perry; and parents, Shirley and Melvin Perry.
In keeping with Linda’s wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. Instead, her life will be honored at a celebration of life gathering, with details to be shared by Jason and Jennifer at a later time.
