Vernon Sterk, 82
Rev. Dr. Vernon Jay Sterk, 82, born in Lincoln, Neb. and a resident of Holland, finished his race on earth and peacefully entered his heavenly home on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
His greatest passions were his family, his faith, and sharing the Gospel with everyone he met. He lived out I Corinthians 9:22-23: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
A graduate of Holland High School, Hope College, Western Theological Seminary and Fuller Seminary, he was an athlete and loved all things sports. His love for cycling led to a serious accident in 2017 confining him to a wheelchair but not confining his gratitude and joy in life.
Vern was preceded in death by his daughter, Michele Schoon; brothers-in-law, Jim Botsford, Phil Miles, and Roger Kamminga.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carla (Vande Bunte) Sterk, who together were partners in life and mission to the Tzotzil indigenous tribe in Chiapas, Mexico, for 41 years; son, Rev. Shane and Wendy Sterk; son-in-law, J.R. and Jilanne Schoon; grandchildren, Jacob and Jasmine Schoon (Joelle, Junah), Zachary Schoon, Caleb Schoon, Ellie and Cornell Canada, Micah and Abby Sterk, Emma and Jackson Sietsma, Elijah Sterk and Noah Sterk; sisters, Carolyn Botsford, Doris and Michael Pajak; brother-in-law, Gene and Judy Vande Bunte; sister-in-law, Linda Kamminga; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. at Faith Reformed Church, 220 W. Central Ave., with Rev. Jonathan Elgersma officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, at Faith Reformed Church. Burial will take place in Forest Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Vern’s honor may be given to Faith Reformed Church Mission Fund at faithzeeland.org, or by mail to 220 Central Ave., Zeeland, MI 49464, or The Vern and Carla Mission Scholarship at Western Theological Seminary at westernsem.edu/ give or by mail to 101 E. 13th St., Holland, MI 49423.
Mary Boschma, 81
Mary Ellen Boschma (Schaap), 81, of Zeeland, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.
Mary loved to entertain and be surrounded by family and friends. She loved boat rides and spending time with her husband, Rick, at their cottage on White Lake. She enjoyed her book club, playing cards with friends, her AquaFit class, her TOPS group, and gathering with her friends from high school. Mary will be remembered by her deep faith, unconditional love, and care and concern for all who knew her.
Mary will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 56 years, Richard Boschma; her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Connie and David Ide (Aaron and Kate Ide, Rya, Rhett and Harper, Cory and Nicole Biggins), Tom and Sue Boschma (Nate and Carly Boschma, Brock, Kevin and Emily Boschma, Kohen), and Carrie and Eric Rozema (Carlie and fiancé Alden Heyboer, Sara, Cody and Mason Rozema), Brad and Kristen Olthof and Kait Olthof; sister, Carol DeJonge, and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kim Olthof; brother-in-law, Ken DeJonge; sister-in-law, Jayne Boschma; as well as by her parents and in-laws.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, with Rev. Shawn Hulst officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the Zeeland Police Department, the Zeeland and Grand Rapids emergency teams who took care of Mary.
David Gillett, 92
David Nelson Gillett, 92, of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at Riley’s Grove Assisted Living and under the care of Hospice of Holland.
Dave was born on Oct. 26, 1932, in Evart to Earl and Imogene Gillett, the second youngest of eight children. Dave attended Evart Public Schools and was involved in sports, music and Boy Scouts.
Dave attended Western Michigan University where he was studying music and history. He traveled to Central Michigan University to take his sister, Louise Gillett (Lantz), to the homecoming dance. Louise asked Dave to bring a friend for her roommate, Patricia, to attend the dance with. However, when they arrived, Dave “took one look at her” as he always says, and shrewdly asked his friend if they could switch so that Dave could take Patricia to the dance. The rest, as they say, is history. Dave and Patricia were married in August 1954 and were inseparable through thick and thin for nearly 70 years.
Dave was the director of choral music at Greenville Schools from 1956 to 1968 and at Forest Hills Central Schools in Grand Rapids from 1968 to 1990. Dave was also choir director for Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids.
Dave retired in 1990 and moved back to Greenville to be close to Pat’s mother, Muriel Hansen. Dave and Pat were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, who passed away on March 23, 2024; parents, Earl and Imogene Gillett; daughters, Pamela Gillett and Denise Gillett Ludwig; and siblings, Dorothy Witbeck, Helen Swanson, Bill Gillett, Ruth Harkert, Jim Gillett, Joanne Bowman, and Louise Lantz.
He is survived by his children, Daniel Gillett of Zeeland, Beth (Joel) Krygier of Paw Paw, and Bruce (Katie) Gillett of Belmont; son-in law, John (Jill) Ludwig of Frankfort, Ill.; grandchildren, Joshua (Lydia) Gillett of Hamilton, Stephanie Gillett of Zeeland, Neil (Samantha) Ludwig of St. Charles, Ill., Alicia Ludwig of South Chicago suburbs, Samuel (Michele) Krygier of Kalamazoo, Abigail (Zane) Burris of Lawton, and Isabelle, Isaac, and Eli Gillett of Belmont; step-grandchildren, Eric of Dallas, Tex., Andrew of Dallas, Tex., and Audrey Studer of Chicago, Ill.; great-grandchildren Beckett, Jayden, Elliana, Josie, Paisley, Skyla, Kinsley, Jackson, Braelyn, Tatum, and Haven; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch St., Zeeland.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the musical ministry of The Singing Crusaders (c/o Bill VanProyen, 2515 Nuttall Ct., Holland, MI 49424) or Kalamazoo Youth For Christ camp scholarship fund (P.O. Box 51487, Kalamazoo, MI 49005).
Arla Zoerhof, 92
Arla T. Zoerhof, 92, of Oakland, passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Arla was a member of Oakland Christian Reformed Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mel, in 2016; a son, Jarl, in 1967; and grandson, Patrick Schreur, in 2023.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Shawn and Larry Schreur of Hamilton (Aaron and Amanda Schreur: Kinslee, Audin, and Rutlidge); Kristen (Patrick-deceased) Schreur: Zoey, Evelyn, Kylee, and Kole; Blain and Jennifer Zoerhof of Holland (Jacob); Amy and Dennis Mulder of Plainwell: Sydnee and Juan Seise (Francesca, Josephine, Mattias) and Kayleigh and Cody Priest, and Ben Mulder; Merle and Kristi Zoerhof of Hamilton (Colin, Logan and Brea, and Mya); several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 27 at Oakland Christian Reformed Church, 4452 38th St., Hamilton. Interment was in Bentheim Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to World Renew Disaster Relief.
Carl Wissink, 87
Carl Dale Wissink, age 87, passed away on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
Carl grew up on a farm, and it was his first love. His love of flowers and gardening extended his entire life. He was a teacher at Zeeland Middle School for 33 years. He invested in students through his coaching throughout the teaching career. He was also the scorekeeper for the Zeeland Chix for 40 years. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was dearly loved by his family and will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Wissink and Jim Wissink; and brothers-in-law, Jim Huisingh and Al Kooi.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Yvonne Wissink; son, Curt and Kelly Wissink; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Rebekah and Ryan Claveau (Rhea, Beckham); Bethany and Alec Duzan (Hugo, Otto), and Caleb Wissink; brother, Rick and Sally Wissink; sisters-in-law, Karen Wissink, Shirley Wissink; in-laws, Cheryl and Dar Lefers, Ruth and Alden Jelsma, Lillian Huisingh, Sally Kooi, Lois and Ken Weenum, and Ben and Karen Gras; and nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, Oct. 25 at First Reformed Church, 148 E. Central Ave. Zeeland, with Rev. Kayla Fik and Rev. Scott VanOostendorp officiating.
Memorial contributions in Carl’s honor may be given to First Reformed Church of Zeeland.
The family wishes to express their gratitude for the outstanding care their father received at Quincy Place, Elara Hospice, and especially from his care giver, Janae.
Cheryl Kroll, 55
Cheryl Lynn Kroll, 55, of Holland, passed away Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
Cheryl was a lifelong member of North Street Christian Reformed Church. She graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1989. Cheryl battled many health concerns over her life, she fought hard to her last breath, but God decided it was her time.
She is survived by her siblings, Linda and the Rev. Abram Blaak, Judy and Tim Haan, David and Sheila Kroll, Paul Kroll, and Daniel Kroll. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Cheryl’s family would like to thank the staff at Medilodge of Holland for the loving care and concern given to Cheryl while she lived there.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at North Street Christian Reformed Church, 20 E. Main Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Harbor Humane Society.
Ronald Terpstra, 73
Ronald Jay Terpstra, age 73, went home to Jesus on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
The most important thing Ron would want you to know is that he loved Jesus. Ron would tell you that he always believed in Jesus, but he came to a deep personal relationship with Him later in life. His glioblastoma diagnosis In August of 2024 drew him even closer to God. He vulnerably shared the story of his cancer even when it was difficult for him to find the right words because of the effect of the surgery and cancer on his brain.
Ron was a graduate of Holland Christian High School. For the majority of his working life, he worked in maintenance at Life Savers, alongside his dad Jake and brother Bob. During his youth he helped out his family with the chickens they raised to help pay for Holland Christian School tuition. Ron was an Army reservist in the 1970s.
Ron is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barb Terpstra (Venlet); their sons and grandchildren, Josh and Megan Terpstra (Emma, Lucy, James), and Jordan and Maddie Terpstra (Ned, Izzy, Eleanor); siblings, Dave and Mary Spaulding, Bob and Marcia Terpstra; brother-in-law, Lon Lundy and his new wife Patti; and mother-in-law, Edna Venlet. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Carol Terpstra; sister, Kathy Lundy, and nephew, Zachary Spaulding.
Services were Saturday, Oct. 25 in the sanctuary of Harderwyk Ministries, 1627 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland. Visitation was Friday, Oct. 24, at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
