Kathleen Schipper, 92
Kathleen Ann Schipper, 92, of Overisel, passed away Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Holland Hospital.
Kathleen was a graduate of Zeeland High School and lifelong member of Overisel Christian Reformed Church, where she was a Calvinette counselor and active in the church’s Sewing Club.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Schipper; daughter-in-law, Sharon Schipper; brother, Delvin Lankheet; sister and brother-in-law, Muriel and Perry Wilcox; and in-laws, Jarvis Clark, Irvin Scholten, Almon and Laura Schipper, and James and Sylvia Schipper.
Kathleen is survived by her children, Randy (Bev) Schipper of Hamilton, Barb (Mick) Venema of Kalamazoo, Gary Schipper of Hudsonville and Kevin Schipper Allegan; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Earl (Gayle) Lankheet, Elaine (Bill) Cameron, Marilyn Scholten and Thelma Clark; and sister-in-law, Tena Lankheet.
Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. today at Overisel Reformed Church, 4706 142nd Ave., Holland, with Pastor Kenneth Kleinheksel officiating. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Beautiful Gate Orphanage and the Overisel Reformed Church Food Pantry.
Monique Egler, 32
Monique Marissa Egler, 32, of Holland, passed away on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
Monique was born on April 10, 1993, in Lansing and was a 2011 graduate of West Ottawa High School. During her time at West Ottawa, she attended the Careerline Tech Center and discovered her talent for doing hair and makeup. She particularly enjoyed styling her nieces’ hair for special occasions, treating them more like sisters.
Monique had a deep passion for music, helping people, and embraced life with enthusiasm. Despite her vibrant spirit, she faced a long battle with alcoholism. Her struggle is mentioned not to cast a negative light, but to offer understanding to those who may be facing similar challenges.
Monique is survived by her father, Ambrose Egler; and her mother, Linda Cagle. She is also survived by her sisters, Jeanine (RC) Hampton of Holland and Jaci (Billy) Lowther of Holland; brothers, Marc (Leyla) Egler of Charlotte, N.C., James Egler of Oregon, and Mike Egler of Ohio; and nieces, Jada Wolcott of Holland, Ashleigh Williams of Kalamazoo, and Teegan Wolcott of Holland.
A celebration of Monique’s life will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 152nd Ave., Holland. The service will be officiated by Father Michael.
The family extends a special thank you to Gift of Life Michigan and the staff at Holland Hospital for their exceptional care of Monique.
Dr. Bruce Masselink, 82
Dr. Bruce Allen Masselink, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Bruce was born on June 5, 1943 and raised in Holland. Bruce graduated from Holland High School in 1961, where he proudly served as drum major of the marching band.
Continuing his education at Hope College, he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1965, followed by his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1969. Bruce completed his surgical residency at the University of Kentucky in 1974 and pursued a fellowship in general surgery in Birmingham, England from 1971 to 1972.
Bruce devoted his 30-year career to caring for others as a general surgeon at Holland Hospital and other area hospitals as well as in private practice at Holland Surgical Associates. He was a member of the Coller Society. Bruce was known for his steady skill and compassion, and he touched countless lives throughout his decades of service.
Bruce found joy sailing on Lake Michigan and traveling the world with Carla. Continuing his commitment to medicine and service in retirement, he participated in many medical mission trips to Honduras and Nicaragua. He also volunteered at several local health care clinics, the Holland Hospital Wound Care Clinic, and the Holland Rescue Mission.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Carla Masselink; children, Ilse (Andy) Saewert of Holland, Reid (Nathalie) Masselink of Bourron-Marlotte, France, and Braden (Megan) Masselink of Jackson, Wyo.; and grandchildren, Anna, Reid, and Sean Saewert, Ceres, Constantin, and Ilse Anne Marie Masselink, and Addison and Knox Masselink. He is also survived by Cinthya Moreda, a former exchange student whom he cherished as a daughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harriet and Wilmur Masselink; brother, Glenn Masselink; stepfather, Albert Luurtsema; and stepsister, Janice Luurtsema.
He was laid to rest at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date.
In his memory, donations may be made to the Holland Hospital Development Fund and Christ Memorial Church.
Delores Kole, 94
Delores (Immink) Kole, 94 of Holland, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.
Delores was a dedicated farm wife for many years. She was very active in church in many different roles and for many years was involved in the “Home Away From Home” program at Hope College welcoming many foreign students in their home. She also worked in the catering department at Hope College for several years.
Celebrating her life as part of God’s grand story are her surviving children, Tom Immink of Overisel, Dick and Arlynn (Huyser) Immink of Hamilton, Jon and Peggy (Doeschot) Immink of Endicott, Neb., Keith and Cassy (Jupp) Immink of Holland and Nancy (Immink) and Brian Kleinheksel of Hamilton.
She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lisa and Dan Redder (Collin, Tyler and Max), Jill and Andy Knaus (Bria, Hudson and Sydney), Rachel Immink, Michael and Renee Immink (Ellie), Ben and Julie Immink (Gunther), Esther and Clif Bond (Simon and Levi), Thaddaeus and Joslyn (Ella, Jack, August), Olivia Immink, Gerrit Immink, Sara and Shad Krull (Madelyn, Isaac and Eli) and Joel Kleinheksel; siblings and in-laws, Mary (Bob) Raak, Garry (Cathy) Heetderks, Stan Brandsen and Donna Heetderks; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Delores was preceded in death was her first husband, Robert Immink (1998); grandson, Jacob Immink (2025); granddaughter-in-law, Michelle Kleinheksel (2024); second husband, Roger Kole (2011); and siblings Robert Heetderks, Isla (Heetderks) Brandsen and Carl Heetderks.
Funeral and committal services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, at Overisel Reformed Church, 4706 142nd Ave. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Hospice.
John Moored, 87
John Moored, 87, of Zeeland, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.
John was born on July 7, 1938, in Plainwell to Lavina and Ford Moored. He was a member of Faith Reformed Church. John retired from BASF and enjoyed traveling, camping, and woodworking. He was known for his love of cooking, canning, and making jelly. His greatest joy was sharing these with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Shirley; children, Jeffrey Moored and Timothy Moored; granddaughter, Cory Nice; great-grandchildren, Aiden Yaekal, Lily Nice, Jax Nice and Josephine Nice; stepchildren, Eric and Lori Beyer, and Kristen and Matt McLouth; step-grandchildren, Caitlin and Ben Simon, Nicholas McLouth, and Morgan McLouth; his step-great-grandson, Finn Beyer; siblings, Bernard and Elizabeth Moored, Sherwin and Cathy Moored, and Ruth Gardner; and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol Moored, Jean Elzinga, and Paul and Barb Meyers.
A memorial service will be held at 12 noon Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Faith Reformed Church, 220 W. Central Ave., Zeeland. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., prior to the service, at Faith Reformed Church.
Memorial contributions may be given to Faith Reformed Church or Hospice of Holland.
Maxine Ponstein, 78
Maxine Ponstein, 78, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at her home.
Maxine was born March 3, 1947, in Lake City to Milfred and Mary Adell (Shetenhelm) Peterson. After graduating from Lake City High School, she worked for many years in factories and restaurants. Max met Hollis Ponstein while working in Lake City and later they married.
Max was a great cook and was always a great hostess to family and friends. Max also baked wedding cakes for many years. She was kind and generous and opened her home to many people who needed help. Maxine was a talented quilter and over many years she made more than 1,000 personalized quilts for hospice patients.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis Ponstein, in 2001; her oldest daughter, Jody Rittenhouse, in July 2024; her sister-in-law, Irma Mokma; and her best friend since kindergarten, Jeanie Thomas.
Maxine is survived by her children, Rachel Ponstein, Michelle Disselkoen, Sara Vander Molen and Tim Ponstein; grandchildren, Dacota, Jena, Riley, Blake, Hollister and Corbin; great-grandson, Benjamin; siblings, Edwin Peterson, Ruth McGee, Sue Schaaf, Leonard Peterson and Noreen Peterson; in-laws, Beth Somers, Laura Ponstein, Mary Lynn Kamara, Bill Ponstein, Tim Ponstein and Paul Ponstein, and many extended family members.
A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 1, at Beaverdam Christian Reformed Church, 5166 64th Ave., Hudsonville. Interment was in Beaverdam Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Donna Bocks, 93
Donna Jean (Ball) Bocks, 93, of Holland, daughter of Thelma Arnold, passed away Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
Donna was born June 5, 1932 in Marshall. She was married to Martin Edward Ball (25 years), of Jackson, who passed away in 1978, and Robert Bocks (23 years), of Holland, who passed away in 2008.
She is survived by her children; Patrick and Sandra Ball, Thomas and Colleen Ball, and Susan and Anthony Mills; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sadie and Kenny Ebanyat (Zoe and K.J.), Marthy Ball, Travis Ball, Sarah and Kirk Wolters (Deakon and Juke), Caroline Burns (Esmerelda), and Caleb Mills.
Donna graduated from Western Michigan University with a teaching degree and taught in a one-room schoolhouse. She regularly attended First United Methodist Church of Holland and was a member of the Tuesday Book Club, the longest continuous book club in Holland. Donna ran a catering business and was a world-class whistler.
Donna was known for wearing fabulous white blouses. She was an author of eight novels as well as several magazine and newspaper articles. Donna was well-traveled, a true cowgirl at heart, owned and rode her own horse, Moses, until her 80s, a ballroom dance enthusiast, and a chocolatier.
No service or visitation was held. Burial was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity in Donna’s memory.
Glenn Bareman, 81
Glenn Allen Bareman, 81, of Holland, passed away Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at home.
Glenn was a lifelong resident of the Holland area. He was born May 20, 1944 to Henry and Grace (Lohuis) Bareman. Glenn worked for the Holland Police Department, the Holland Township Fire Department and was head of Hope College Security for many years. He was a member of the F.O.P in Holland, and in his spare time a member of Evergreen Commons where he also sang in the choir.
Glenn will be fondly remembered for his woodworking skills and creating paintings. He loved building memorable items for his children and grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his siblings, Eleanor Getsch, Joyce Jacobs and Mick Bareman.
He is survived by his children, Todd Bareman and Tori (Matt) Yount; grandchildren, Reese (Gilleyanne) Yount, Jacee (Collin) Westfall and Levi Yount; and many extended family and friends.
At Glenn’s request, no services were planned.
