Roger Allan Nyhuis, 79
Roger Allan Nyhuis, 79, of Zeeland, passed away Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
“A man of few words” - that wasn’t Roger. Roger was a man of many words, and he spent them well - on air, in song, and in encouragement to everyone he met. His voice carried across West Michigan for decades, spending 37 years at Lanser Broadcasting (WWJQ/WPNW/WJQK), where he was “Roger Allen” in the studio and behind the microphone from the very earliest days.
Roger loved the craft of radio - sharing stories, building community, and dreaming up ways to reach more listeners. He had no shortage of ideas, and no lack of drive to make them happen - pitching concepts, finding advertisers, and doing the hard work to keep programs alive. He became the voice of the Holland Christian Maroons, calling basketball and later football, after memorable seasons broadcasting Hope College basketball.
Even after retiring from radio, Roger refused to sit idle. He earned his real estate license and joined Keller Williams – Lakeshore in 2014.
He was equally as passionate about sharing his Christian faith through music. He sang with the Holland Heights choir, led worship on the praise team, and was a member of the Calvary 4 Quartet, carrying gospel harmonies to churches across West Michigan and beyond. Later came the Ah-men Quartet, another stage for his voice and his faith. Inspired by his love for the Holland community and lasting traditions, for years he looked forward to participating in the Holland Chorale, and the Evergreen Commons Tulip Time shows.
Most recently he also served as an elder at Holland Heights Church.
While radio, real estate and music were his passions, family was his greatest joy. To the end of his days, you could find him watching his grandchildren perform from the bleachers or auditorium seats - whether at a concert, competition, musical or play, never missing a chance to show how proud he was.
In 2021 Roger faced bladder cancer with courage, fought hard, and celebrated four fantastic years of remission.
Roger is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlene (Raak) Nyhuis; children, Scott and Lisa (Lohr) Nyhuis, and Amy (Nyhuis) and Marcus Ziel; grandchildren, Robert and Caitlyn Nyhuis, Madison Nyhuis and Bryce Colpaert, Becca Ziel and Drew Ziel; great-granddaughter Nora Nyhuis; brother and sister, Sherry (Nyhuis) and Mark Krouse, and Robert Nyhuis; mother-in-law, Pauline (Raak) Dyke; brother and sister-in-laws, Donna (Raak) Rouwhorst; Jim and Elaine Raak; Phyllis (Raak) and Jim VanderBilt; and many nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life service was held Tuesday, Dec. 23, at Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church at 836 E. 8th St., Holland. A private burial service will be held for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church to be earmarked for the advancement of worship through music.
Arloa Vander Wal, 83
Arloa Lou Vander Wal, 83, of Allendale, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
Arloa was born Oct. 25, 1942, in Beaverdam, to Lou and Margaret (Coeling) Grasman. She was a member of the first graduating class from Unity Christian High School and later married Ron Vander Wal on June 16, 1961.
Arloa raised her three children with Ron and also worked as a patient escort for many years at Butterworth Hospital. She also volunteered many years as a Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader. Arloa and Ron are members of Fairway Christian Reformed Church.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ron; children, Lori and Rod Deemter, Christon Vander Wal, Patrick and Joan Vander Wal; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Larissa and David Yonker (Clayton, Ellie, Landon, Elyse, Brayden), Allison and Karsten Wimbush, Ryan and Makayla Deemter, Rylee Deemter, Colin and Heather Vander Wal (Rowyn, Rhett), Christa Vander Wal and fiance Ryan Popma; brothers, Jack and Barbara Grasman, Russ and Amy Grasman, and Richard and Sue Grasman; in-laws, Bernadine and Nelson Gebben, Barbara Grasman, Vicki Grasman, Sharon and Dave Wierenga, and Ken and Jan Vander Wal; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sherri Keene; brothers, Larry and Terry; and in-laws, Gerald and Martha Cnossen.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Interment was in Georgetown Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.
James Zoerner, 90
James Zoerner, 90, of West Olive, passed peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
Jim was born in Kenosha, Wis. on Feb. 17, 1935 to Hugo Jr. and Erna (Poulsen) Zoerner. He was the oldest of four children and took the role of big brother very seriously.
Most of Jim’s growing up years were spent in Camden and Russellville, Ark. He graduated from Russellville High School in 1953.
After high school, Jim pursued his love of woodworking by completing a 24-month course in cabinet making at Arkansas Polytechnic College. Life was put on a brief pause when Jim was drafted into the Army and began serving his two years in early 1958. He spent most of his service time at Loring Air Force Base in Maine.
After the Army, Jim moved to Michigan where his parents had relocated. He made good use of his cabinet-making degree by getting a job at Baker Furniture in Holland. From there he went to a small cabinet shop in Grand Haven.
As a child of vagabond parents and grandparents, Jim really wanted to put down roots. He worked hard, saved his money, and bought property adjacent to his parents in rural West Olive. He started a small Christmas tree farm to help pay the taxes on his 20 acres.
Captivated by the fire towers of his youth, Jim had an interest in fire prevention. He was part of the formation of the Port Sheldon Volunteer Fire Department. The daughter of one of the other firefighters also captivated him, and she was to become his wife. He and Kathy married in July 1966. Within a short time, they built a house on his property and began a family.
Jim retired from S-2 Yachts in 1997. He was a member of Ottawa Reformed Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, in 2024, and his brother, Roy, in 1995.
He is survived by his children, Sarah (Glen) Huizenga and Craig (Tracy) Zoerner; grandchildren, Mallory Huizenga, Anna Zoerner and Evan Zoerner; brother, Tom (Martha) Zoerner; and sister, Janet Aalberts.
A celebration of life for Jim will be held in the spring.
Clyde Kinkema, 94
Clyde E. Kinkema, 94, of Holland, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
Clyde was born July 12, 1931, in Grand Haven, to Ferdinand and Tena (Jurries) Kinkema. He graduated from Grand Haven High School and later married Phyllis Poel. He served his country in the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954 as a U.S. Marine.
Clyde worked in the aggregate business most of his career at Construction Aggregates and Howes and Howes. After retiring, he continued working for Howes and Howes as one of their representatives. Clyde and Phyllis raised their four children in Grand Haven before Phyllis died in 1986.
Clyde married Jeanne (DeJonge) Goodyke in 1990, and Clyde moved to Holland. Clyde joined Jeanne as a member of Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church. Clyde volunteered at both Youth for Christ and Ditto.
In addition to being preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis, Clyde was also preceded in death by his daughter, Susan French; son-in-law, Jerry Pell; stepson, Steven Goodyke; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and George North; and in-laws, Elmer and Audrey De Jonge, Joyce Rottschafer and Vern Brummel.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jeanne; Clyde’s children, Doug and Patty Kinkema, Nancy Pell, and Dale and Jill Kinkema; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; Jeanne’s children, David and Jeanne Goodyke, and Dawn Goodyke; her four grandchildren and one great-grandson; sister-in-law, Marcia Brummel; and many extended family and friends.
A funeral service with military honors was held Saturday, Dec. 20, at Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, 836 E. 8th St., Holland. Interment was in Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven.
Memorials may be made to Holland Christian Schools, Zeeland Christian School, Grand Haven Christian School, and Hospice of Holland.
Patricia Schieringa, 91
Patricia Ann Schieringa, age 91, of Holland, passed away into the arms of Jesus Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Zeeland.
Patti was born in Wyandotte on Oct. 6, 1934, to the late Franklin and Jane Poling. She was a 1953 Muskegon High School graduate and received her bachelor of arts degree and teaching certificate from Hope College. She later received her master’s degree in education from Andrews University.
Patti had her own nursery school in Holland called The Learning Center near the downtown tower clock, and later in Guam called Betty’s Learning Center.
Patti was preceded in death by her husbands, Paul Schieringa and Harold Knoll, Jr.; adopted sons, Kurt and Kerry Knoll; son, David Harold Knoll; and special friend, Orrie Keyser.
Patti is survived by her children, Paul (Barbara) Knoll and Rochelle Knoll; and grandchildren, Deanna Knoll, Daniel Ridlington and Darryl Knoll.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Fourteenth Street Christian Reformed Church, 14 W. 14th St., Holland, with Pastor Benj Petroelje officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Compassion International.
