Jerry Gras, 86
Jerry Allen Gras, 86, of Overisel, passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.
Jerry owned Custom Trenching and was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed watching sports.
He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Marge Gras.
Jerry is survived by his children, Delwyn (Deb) Gras of Hamilton, Jeff (Lori) Gras of Zeeland, and Mary (Jeff) Pikaart of Hamilton; grandchildren, Corey (Joe) Gish, Taryn Gras and partner Kristin Higgs, Trevor Gras, Ben Pikaart and Jordan Pikaart; sister, Marcia (Glenn) Veldheer of Zeeland.
A memorial service is planned for today at 1 p.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, with Rev. Jim Daniels officiating. Burial will be in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Wilbert Van Dyk, 95
Rev. Wilbert M. (Bill) Van Dyk, 95, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
Bill was born on April 15, 1930 and baptized May 11, 1930. A graduate of Calvin College (AB) and Calvin Theological Seminary (MDiv, ThM), Rev. Van Dyk was ordained to ministry in the Christian Reformed Church in 1955. He served Christ in churches in Chicago, Ill. (Fourth Roseland CRC); Lake Worth, Fla. (Lake Worth CRC); and Grand Rapids (Plymouth Heights CRC).
In 1986, Bill was appointed to the faculty of Calvin Theological Seminary as academic dean and associate professor of preaching. He retired in 1995. In retirement, Bill continued to preach and teach at home and abroad.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Elaine (Vander Wilt). She was the love of his life and companion in ministry. Bill is survived by their children, Bill (Mary Ellen Ter Molen), Leanne, Susanne (Bob) Jordan, Dan (Rhonda Wishnew, deceased), and Marlene (Ward) Greenberg; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his older sister, Mae Harriet Rooy, and is survived by his younger sister, Grace Brummel.
A funeral service for Rev. Van Dyk was held Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Raybrook Manor Chapel, 2121 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Stan Mast officiating.
Memorial gifts can be made to the Holland Home, 2100 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Rose Albers, 93
Rose Marie Albers (Tardiff), 93, of Holland, passed away peacefully under the care of Gentiva Hospice on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. A devoted wife, loving mother, and delightful grandmother/great grandmother, Rose’s life was one of deep faith, a vibrant delight in all things gardening and an inner strength to endure any of the life challenges she faced.
Rose was a graduate of Hope College, where she earned a degree in teaching. An avid golfer, bridge player, and floral design expert, Rose led an active lifestyle and developed many deep and lasting friendships which she treasured deeply. She had a deep and abiding love of her hometown of Holland and graciously gave her time and talent to many clubs.
Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; daughter, Laurel; and brother, Calvin Tardiff.
She is survived by her sons, Mike (Kathy) Albers and Mark (Jackie) Albers; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Raymond Tardiff; many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Chapel at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland, with Rev. Tim Brown officiating. Entombment will be in the Restlawn Memorial Gardens mausoleum.
Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
Doris Weller, 82
Doris (DeFouw) Weller, 82, of Holland, passed away on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at University of Michigan Health-West, surrounded by family.
Doris was born on July 4, 1943, to Clarence and Betty (Steinmetz) DeFouw in Holland. She was a contract seamstress, sewing drapes in her home workshop before she and her husband started an upholstery business from their home. They worked together for 30 years before retiring in 2017.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister and brother-in-law, Kenneth and Eleanor (DeFouw) Kuyers.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Raymond (Ray) Weller; children, Nancy (John) Henshaw, Sharon Weller, and Randy (Diane) Weller; grandchildren Daniel Henshaw, Timothy Henshaw, David (Michelle) Eddington, Elizabeth (Mark) McKenney, Stephanie Eddington, Bradley Eddington, William (Lauryn) Weller, Robert Weller and Bethany (Jason) Franklin; great-granddaughter Loretta, and another great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. at First Reformed Church, 630 State St., Holland. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. A light lunch will be served after the servicer.
Inurnment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the American Cancer Society or the Gateway Mission in Holland.
Kenneth Schaap, 91
Kenneth Alvin Schaap, 91, slipped the earthly bonds of this life to enter Heaven’s glory on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Kenneth had been under the care of Hospice of Holland since March. His wife of nearly 72 years, Marlene (nee Elgersma), passed away in January of 2024.
Kenneth was the son of William and Susan (Boeve) Schaap of Holland. He had 10 siblings, Melvin, John, Mildred (Geurink), Julianna (Horton), Ella (Oetman), Ivan, Lloyd, Jay, Louis, and Bill. Louis, Ken’s older brother by two years, is the sole surviving member among the siblings.
Ken received Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was 12 years old at the side of his mother. He was a founding member of the Rose Park Baptist Church 67 years ago, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and bus captain, as well as singing in the choir.
Ken was a union carpenter until the late 1960’s when he and his wife Marlene built the Ken-Mar Mobile Home Park on the south side of Holland and managed that until the mid-1990’s.
Kenneth is survived by his children, Kristi (Roger) Lemmen and Jack (Traci) Schaap; grandchildren, Tami (Jeff) Parks, Thomas (Alana) Lemmen, Jaclynn (Todd) Weber, and Ken (Candace) Schaap; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Ken will be held at 11 a.m. today at Lakeshore Funeral Services, 11939 James St., Holland, with a meal following. Interment will be at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
The family expresses their gratitude to Hospice of Holland for their professional care and to Comfort Keepers for their personal caregiving. They also request that any funeral tributes be made as donations to Hospice of Holland.
Ruth Davis, 80
Ruth Ann Davis, 80, of Borculo, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 at Allendale Nursing and Rehabilitation Community.
Ruth was born at home in Borculo and also raised there. She married Ronald Carl Davis, Sr., who passed away in 2015. Ruth worked at Donnelly Corporation for many years and also as a caregiver at Freedom Village. She was a member of Holland Baptist Church.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Holland Baptist Church, 906 E. 24th St., Holland. Pastor Loren Stutzman will officiate. Gifts in Ruth’s memory may be given to the church. Arrangements are by Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Joanne Lukassen, 88
Joanne Lukassen, 88, of Zeeland, formerly of Howard City, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.
Joanne and her husband, John, immigrated to the United States in 1962 from the Netherlands. They became citizens and raised their family in East Grand Rapids and then moved to Howard City where they were members of Christ the King-St. Francis de Sales Parish.
Joanne was a loving wife, mother and oma. Joanne loved her church family, and her faith carried her through every season of life and she now rests in the loving arms of her Savior.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, John; children, Carol and John Sirowatka, Kevin and Susanne Lukassen, and Kimberly and David Nienhuis; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Andy Mark (Mason, Matthew), Brenton and Sany Sirowatka (Luna, Hugo), Austin and Kelsey Sirowatka, Christian Sirowatka, Jon Lukassen, Anna and Kyle Colquhon (August), Alex and Mista Caswell (Emmett), Andrew and Morgan Caswell (Adalynn, Olivia), and Ava Caswell; sister, Sien Nieken; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bert Lukassen and Joke Hindriks.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. The day and time of Joanne’s funeral mass were pending at press time.
Trinidad Vargas, 35
Trinidad Vargas, 35, of Holland, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
Trinidad attended Zeeland Public Schools, and was formerly employed by Gentex Corporation.
He is survived by his daughters, Peyton and Annalise Vargas; mother, Dawn Renagon; father, Michael Vargas; siblings, Christopher Renagon, and Jessica and Jordan Bichler; and grandmother, Francisca Vargas.
No services were scheduled.
