Steven Smallegan, 67
Steve A. Smallegan, 67, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, after a two-year battle with cancer.
He was born to Philip (deceased) and Dorothy Smallegan and raised in Forest Grove with his brother David (Shannon) Smallegan. Steve graduated from Hudsonville High School in 1976 and Hope College in 1980.
Steve pursued seminary studies at Western Theological Seminary in Holland and the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland before completing his master of divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. in 1983. That same year, he was ordained and began a ministry that spanned more than four decades. Along the way, he also earned his doctorate of ministry from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.
Steve served faithfully in the Reformed Church in America, beginning as assistant chaplain at Hope College in Holland (1983-1984). He then pastored Nooksack Valley Reformed Church in Nooksack, Wash. (1985-1990), and Westwood Reformed Church in Muskegon (1990-1998). He served in a denominational position as the Zeeland Classic minister (1998-2014). After interim ministry at First Reformed Church in Oostburg, Wis. (2015-2016), Steve concluded his pastoral calling at Hope Church in South Haven (2016-2024).
His heart for ministry extended beyond the pulpit. As a young man, he spent three summers serving on the Camp Geneva staff and later returned for 35 years as chaplain. He also mentored children through Kids Hope USA for 30 years.
Steve celebrated nearly 42 years of marriage with his loving wife, Brenda (Bakker). Together they raised four daughters: Laura (Nate) Hinkle, Hannah (Jon) Haeffele, Lydia (Andrew) Loveland, and Maria (Owen) Brookhouse. He was a proud papa to Ezra, Jeremiah, Noah, Theodore, Naomi, and Ellis.
Visitation will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. today at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be at 12 noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Hope Reformed Church, 1365 Monroe Blvd., South Haven.
Memorial gifts may be made to Camp Geneva, a ministry close to his heart at campgeneva.org/ give/ or by mail to 3995 Lakeshore Dr. N., Holland, MI 49424.
Burial to take place in Forest Grove Cemetery.
Matthew Gerig, 50
Matthew Scott Gerig, 50, of West Olive, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on May 28, 1975, Matt brought compassion, humor, and resilience to every chapter of his life.
In 1996, a car accident left Matt paralyzed — an event that dramatically changed the course of his life but never dimmed his spirit. Despite the physical challenges and ongoing health issues he faced, Matt refused to let adversity define him. His positivity, courage, and deep love for his family and close friends became a source of strength for everyone around him. He had a remarkable ability to bring people together, offering warmth, perspective, and a sense of gratitude that inspired all who knew him.
He is survived by his parents, Doyle and Linda Gerig; brothers, Grant (Michelle) Gerig and Todd (Tammy) Gerig; and sister, Jo Ellen (Dave) Strey. Matt was a deeply proud and loving uncle who treasured every moment with his nieces and nephews: Addyson and Easton Gerig; Gillian, Natalie, and Sophia Gerig; Olivia, Logan, Claire, Mason, Rae, and Lucy Strey; as well as Tara Bartee.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at Holland Church of Christ, 405 Beeline Rd., Holland. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today, also at the church.
Memorial contributions may be given to Camp Sunshine.
Arrangements are by Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Bernd Pastunink, 91
Bernd Pastunink, 91, of Holland, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.
Born on March 15, 1934, in Bad Bentheim, Germany, Bernd moved to the United States with his beloved wife, Gesine, whom he married in 1958. Together, they had six children and spent nearly 50 years together before Gesine’s passing in 2007.
Known for his hard work and dedication, Bernd was a disciplinarian as his children grew up. He had a passion for tinkering and fixing cars and was a jokester who loved to bring joy to those around him. Later in life, he enjoyed traveling, particularly to Texas and Alaska. Bernd was a long-time member of Christ Memorial Church.
Bernd is survived by his daughters, Mary (Tim) Steinbeck, Brenda (Gregg) Stoel, Joyce Stich, and Karen (Troy) Bush; son, Harv (Sue) Pastunink; daughter-in-law, Kristi Pastunink; 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Gesine; son, John Pastunink; and son-in-law, Joe Stich.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 8 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Karen Bables, 83
Karen Bables, 83, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, after a long battle with multiple myeloma.
Born on Oct. 4, 1942, Karen grew up in Holland and graduated from Holland High School in 1960. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Hope College in 1964. She then began teaching English at Jenison Junior High while earning a master’s degree in English Language and Literature from Western Michigan University in 1967.
Karen began her professional life teaching teenagers, but she soon discovered that her passion lay in teaching adults. She loved to tutor adult learners. Realizing the need was broader than she could meet on her own, she founded the Family Literacy Center, dedicated to helping working adults improve their lives by learning to read, and led the center from 1984 to 1997.
As a freelance writer, she was an assistant editor for the Church Herald and contributed devotionals for Words of Hope, both publications of the Reformed Church in America. Later, she created the blog Living as Apprentices of Jesus and wrote the blog from 2012 to 2024, when she entrusted it to a close friend.
Both personally and professionally, Karen dedicated her life to serving others. Professionally, she served as the assistant director of the Good Samaritan Center in Holland as well as the senior manager for the Michigan Chapter of the National MS Society. Personally, she was a passionate advocate for global causes.
Karen’s deep faith shaped her life. She studied Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University and became the Spiritual Formation Director at Christ Memorial Church, where she served from 2009 to 2014. Her bookshelves, housing hundreds of books on spiritual formation and discipleship, testified to her passion for a faith informed by both experience and intellect.
She is survived by her two sons, Kelly and Ryan; their wives, Laura and Leanne; and grandchildren, Lauryn, Jenna, Nathaniel, Rachel, and Emily.
There will be a celebration of life in early January, with details pending.
Charlene Burrell, 79
Charlene Joyce Burrell, 79, of Zeeland, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at home.
Charlene attended Holland Gospel Chapel where she taught Sunday School for 25 years. She was a teacher/trainer with the Child Evangelism Fellowship. Charlene lovingly nurtured children in her childcare program for more 20 years.
Charlene enjoyed flower gardening and meticulously tended to each of her beautiful plants. She was skilled in handcrafts such as her favorite pastime, embroidery. She was also an avid reader.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Pearl (Northrup) Sylvia; son, Spencer Burrell; three sisters and a brother.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert; children, Lawrene (James) Nemire of Allegan, Rebecca (Ken) Vincent of Zeeland, and Alex (Abby) Burrell of Allegan; grandchildren, Brandy (Ben) Parkhurst, Duncan Vance, Titus, Caleb, Luke, Joel, Quinton, and Ryan Burrell; great-grandchildren, Daniel and Noah Parkhurst; brother, Charles (Shirley) Sylvia of Batavia, N.Y.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 12, at Dykstra Funeral Homes – Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland, with Mike Fitzhugh and Bob Fouts presiding. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Dykstra Funeral Homes – Mulder Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Right to Life Holland Area, 607 Heritage Ct., Holland, MI 49423 or the Holland Gospel Chapel, 106 W. 26th St., Holland, MI 49423.
Susan Cook, 68
Susan Joy Cook, 68, of Zeeland, passed away on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, following a six-year battle with mesothelioma.
Susan was born April 4, 1957, in Zeeland, to Thomas and Betty (Lucas) De Haan. She graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1975. Later in 1975, she met the love of her life, John Cook, in Saugatuck, and they married in October 1976.
Susan and John raised their two children in Zeeland, and they are members of Second Reformed Church. Susan enjoyed singing and was a longtime SRC choir member.
Susan also loved horses and kept her own for many years. She was a talented stained-glass artist. Always busy and a hard worker, Susan worked many places over her career: Teerman’s, Howard Miller, Don’s Flowers, Zeeland Community Hospital, and Herman Miller.
Susan is survived by her husband of 49 years, John; daughter, Linda Cook and Brian Donakowski; son, John Jr. and Elizabeth Schut; grandchildren, Griffin Thomas Donakowski, Amelie Paige Donakowski, Andrew John Cook and James Pennington Cook; siblings, Nancy Harkema, Gerry De Haan, Kristi and Henry Conde; in-laws, Rick and Laurie Cook, Cami and Paul Phillips; many extended family members and friends.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Jane De Haan, in 1971.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 6, at Second Reformed Church, 225 E. Central Ave., Zeeland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Corewell Hospice.
Marian Van Ry, 95
Marian Joyce Van Ry, 95 passed away on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 at home attended by her children and hospice care.
She was born the third daughter to Budd and Sue Eastman on Dec. 8, 1929 in Holland. She attended Hope College and worked locally as an office manager in a bank, until her marriage to Donald Van Ry in 1954. They were married 67 years. Together they raised their family in Holland and remained after Don’s retirement from Mazda Corporation.
Marian had a great love of family and enjoyed a lifetime of musical interest. She sang in church choir and performed solos, sang for friends and family at weddings and receptions. She studied voice as a student of the late Julliard-trained Beulah Dunwoody. In her seventies she sang in the “Remember When” choir at Evergreen Commons and performed in their Tulip Time programs for 6 years. Upon marriage to Don, Marian left the Methodist Church to join the Reformed Church, sang in their choir, taught Sunday School and was active in women’s groups and committees. She worked for Hope College in the 1970s and 1980s.
Marian loved gardening and flowers. She also sewed for her family, making household decor, clothing, and her children’s Dutch costumes. In later years she enjoyed working crossword and variety puzzles.
Marian is survived by her children, Susan Huey, James Van Ry and Laura Van Ry; brother, Michael Eastman; several nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; son-in-law, Michael Huey; siblings, Jenny Oisten, Lois Mitchell, Donna Dreyer, Thomas Eastman, Robert Eastman, and Stephen Eastman; in-laws, Joyce Van Ry, Bob Van Ry, Mary Lou Van Ry, Cheryl Eastman, Joseph Mitchell, John Dreyer, Robert Oisten, and three nephews.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
