Harley Brown, 90
Harley Dean Brown, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, just one week after celebrating his 90th birthday with his family.
He was born Oct. 5, 1935 to Peter and Faye Brown in Danforth, Ill. and was raised in the tiny farming community with his brother Wayne.
Harley graduated from Hope College where he met the love of his life, Phyllis Prins. He started his teaching career at Fremont High School, then earned a master’s degree in vocal music from Michigan State University.
He taught vocal music and English at West Ottawa High School and Middle School from 1964-1993. He started the singing group The Vocalaires and directed 18 musicals at WOHS.
Harley directed choirs at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for ten years and directed The Blue Lake International Choir three times as they travelled throughout Europe.
He directed the choir and bell choir at Trinity Reformed Church for 25 years, where he also served on consistory, taught Sunday School, and was the Sunday School Superintendent.
In his retirement years, Harley was a docent for The Holland Museum for 25 years, enjoyed writing essays and poems and attending classes at HASP (Hope Association of Senior Professionals), and working on family genealogies.
Harley and Phyllis were members of Third Reformed Church. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis; children, Dean Brown, Laurie and Paul Stears, and Sue and Dan Brookhouse.
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, JulieAnne and Pete Kamps (Piper and Reid), Chad and Samantha Stears (Josie), Max and Kelsy Stears, Andrew and Kelly Brown, Patrick Brown, Griffin and Ashley Dekker (Clarke), and Tate Dekker.
He is predeceased by his son-in-law, Jon Dekker, and daughter-in-law, Kelly Brown.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Third Reformed Church, 111 W. 13th St., Holland. Burial will be in Lakewood Cemetery. A memorial visitation will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m., prior to the service, at Third Reformed Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to World Vision.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Royal Park Place in Zeeland and The Cortland Holland for their loving care and amazing service to both Harley and Phyllis.
Clara Carley, 90
Clara Carley, 90, of Hudsonville, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
Clara was born in Zutphen to Jacob and Grace Kreuze. Clara and her husband were longtime members of Forest Grove Christian Reformed Church. Clara worked at Keeler Brass and then worked alongside her husband being landlords. Clara was a faithful follower of Christ and wanted nothing more than to make sure she would see her family in heaven.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Maurice, in 2017, and her infant son, Dale.
She is survived by her children, Debra (Randy) VanderKooy, Dale (Michelle) Carley, and Terry (Julie) Carley; grandchildren, Luke (Sarah) VanderKooy, Sara (Paul) Engelsman, Rachel (Nick) Paquette, Jamie (Ethan) Elhart, Josh (Taylor) Crothers, Tyler (Shannon) Carley, and Tara Carley (fiancé Dereck Rouwhorst); eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Jerene (Marv) Tamminga.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Forest Grove Christian Reformed Church, 3515 Perry St., Hudsonville. Interment will be in Zutphen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Faith Hospice.
Bruce Hassevoort, 72
Bruce Edward Hassevoort, 72, of Zeeland/Hamilton, passed away on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, at home with his family by his side.
Bruce was born Oct. 3, 1953, in Zeeland to Harold and Adriana (Kloosterman) Hassevoort. Bruce started working when he was 14 as a brick mason with his older brother Ken. Later he farmed and raised pigs, worked construction, and lastly drove trucks.
In 1992, Bruce started his own trucking company, Rabbit River Transport, where his sons soon joined him, and eventually his grandkids too. In his free time, Bruce liked to spend a lot of his time in the Upper Peninsula. He also was a bear hunting guide for many years.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ken Hassevoort and Harley Hassevoort; in-laws, Anita Hassevoort, Bob Hoffman and Don Nauta; and his loving companion of more than 10 years, Mari Boss.
He is survived by his former wife, Luanne Hassevoort; sons, Eric and Jodi Hassevoort, and Jeremy and Anne Hassevoort; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Corey Hassevoort and Hannah Markowski (Dawson, Lenni), Nicole and Corey Vandewege, Austin Hassevoort, Cody and Nikki Hassevoort (Margo, Cashten), and Tyler Hassevoort; siblings, Phyllis Hoffman, Pauline Nauta, and sister-in-law Betty Hassevoort.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18 at Beaverdam Christian Reformed Church, 5166 64th Ave., Hudsonville. Interment will be in Beaverdam Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Wayne Nienhuis, 87
Wayne Curtis Nienhuis, age 87, passed away on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Wayne was chief engineer for Lacks Industries for more than 40 years prior to retirement. He and his wife, Bonita, created many memories at the cottage they shared together for 30 years. He was passionate about his children and grandchildren each personally knowing Jesus.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonita Nienhuis; and brother, Vern Nienhuis.
He is survived by his children, Robin and Bud Miedema, Jodi and Paul Stevens, and Penny and Jim Houtman; grandchildren, Phil and Tina Michmerhuizen, Ashley and Brandon Den Hartigh, Sarah Chatman, Jon and Brittany Houtman, Lauren and Ryan Kraai, Hannah and Jesse Heerdt, Jenna and Fernando Rodriguez, Haley Houtman, Eric and Stephanie Miedema, and Mitch and Sarah Miedema; and 16 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch St., Zeeland. Burial took place in Restlawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Wayne’s honor may be given to Gentiva Hospice at gentivahs. com or by mail to 625 Kenmoor Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 or Gateway Mission at hopefoundhere.org or by mail to 661 E. 24th St., Holland, MI 49423.
Tom Buursma, 81
Tom A. Buursma, Sr. age 81, of Holland, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at Holland Hospital.
A proud graduate of Holland Christian High School, Tom later returned to his alma mater to teach and coach for more than 30 years. He poured his heart into the classroom teaching history, Reformed doctrine as well as Latin, even creating excitement about a dead language with toga days (extra credit).
Tom started and coached the Holland Christian boys swim team and a few years later he started and coached the girls tennis program. His leadership and excellence led to a girls tennis state championship in 1993 and the honor of being inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame.
Tom’s passions extended beyond the classroom and court. He found joy in God’s creation through camping, biking, hiking, and spending time at his cottage on Gun Lake boating and eating “health food” (aka ice cream).
He was the loving husband of Vanna. He first set eyes on her while at Calvin College, tracked her down and asked her out. She said yes and continued to say yes to his adventures ever after.
Tom and Vanna were part of a group that started Lighthouse Church which later merged to become Victory Point Church. Tom served the church in many ways and his love for Christ and passion for prayer inspired many people to grow in their faith and influenced the direction and ministry of the church.
Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years, Vanna; sons, Bob Buursma, Jeff and Kristin Buursma, and Tom and Kristin Buursma; grandchildren, Mady, Nicole, David, Jacob, Erin, Tyler, Ryan, Rachel (Peach), Flora, Kate, and Tessa; brother, Ron and Joyce Buursma; in-laws, Allen and Ethel Leep, Joyce Petrichek, Betty (Bobe) Pynakker, Ruth and John Hamstra, and Donna and Paul Michaels; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Victory Point Church, 11530 Ransom St., Holland with Rev. Matt Yount officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 17, from 5-7 p.m. Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be given to Holland Christian Schools.
Margarita Reyes, 76
Margarita “Peggy” Reyes, 76, of Holland, passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
Peggy was born Aug. 22, 1949, to Juan and Dionicia (Gonzales) Reyes in Zeeland. She attended Holland High School.
Peggy was employed for many years at Meijer. She enjoyed volunteering at Evergreen Commons and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
She is survived by her children, Paul Gensch and Theodore Gensch; grandchildren, Angel Sturgen, Passion (Gensch) Malotky, Derringer Gensch, Shay Gensch, and Skyler Gensch.
Visitation and wake prayers were held Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 at Dykstra Funeral Homes - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
